Does the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit have any recalls?

7 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system, gasoline, structure, vehicle speed control, electrical system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Volkswagen dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit?

0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1979 Volkswagen Rabbit recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

7 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Volkswagen been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

1979 Volkswagen Rabbit recalls, newest first

March 1, 2006NHTSA 06E018000266 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: Certain hydraulic brake hoses, p/n 171.611.107B, sold as replacement equipment for 1975-1985 Volkswagen (VW) rabbit; 1985-1992 VW golf; and 1980-1992 VW jetta passenger vehicles. Possible brake hose rupture could occur which fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 106, "brake hoses."
Consequence: Brake hose rupture could result in loss of braking ability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Foreign parts distributors will notify owners and replace the brake hoses with compliant brake hoses. The recall began on March 30, 2006. Owners may contact foreign parts distributors at 305-885-8646 ext. 11.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 9, 1983NHTSA 83V117000930,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system

Summary: The fuel pump may stop functioning without warning. This can occur because an electrical connector in the fuse panel may overheat and interrupt the electrical circuit.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect the fuse box and its connectors for corrosion, and correct where necessary. A bypass adapter to the fuel pump electrical circuit will be installed.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 9, 1983NHTSA 83V116000661,585 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Summary: Brake lines installed underneath the carpeting in the passenger compartment may rust due to the entry of water and road salt. If rusting remains unchecked, it produces leaks in the lines and brake fluid may be lost.
Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the interior brake lines at no cost to owner. Owners are also advised that all brake lines should be inspected at two-year intervals.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

September 24, 1981NHTSA 81V113000448,167 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary: Corrosive damage and increased electrical resistance may cause the fuel pump relay to stop functioning. The fuel pump relay is one of several relays on a relay board located near the firewall. Corrosion caused by rain entering an improperly sealed antenna hole has been the subject of previous campaigns, but additional measures are required to ensure that the problem is corrected.
Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected to determine whether the modification has been performed. If not, a bypass will be installed to locate the fuel pump relay away from the relay board. Any corroded relay boards or connectors will also be replaced.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

January 28, 1981NHTSA 81V012000110,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control › Cables

Summary: The accelerator cable which leads from the transmission lever to the throttle housing may malfunction. Accelerator cable may have been bent during installation or during servicing of engine components. This could cause the steel band cable to bind and can result in delayed response during deceleration, high engine idle and hesitation during acceleration.
Remedy: The accelerator cable will be replaced with a newly designed one. In addition, other components of the acceleration system will be checked, lubricated, and if necessary, replaced. This will be done without charge.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 26, 1980NHTSA 80V035000140,000 vehicles potentially affected

Structure › Body

Summary: On some vehicles, the fender opening through which the antenna cable is routed may not be properly sealed. As a result, splashed water from the tires could enter passenger compartment through the opening, enter the fuse relay board and cause corrosion of the terminals. Also, because water is a good conductor of electricity, the starter can be activated accidentally; the high flow of electricity may exhaust the battery within a short period of time. Thus restarting the engine would become impossible and parking lights and emergency flashers would become inoperative.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, seal the radio antenna holes and replace corroded components without charge to owner..

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 17, 1979NHTSA 79V120000540,000 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical system › Starter assembly › Relay

Summary: Due to an improperly sealed antenna mounting hole, water could seap into the fuse relay board. The water entering the fuse relay board acts as a conductor of current, thereby charging the starter.
Remedy: The dealer will seal all radio antenna cable holes. In addition, electrical parts of the relay/fuse board will be checked and replaced in the case of corrosion.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

No owner complaints about the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit were found in NHTSA’s complaint data.

Other Volkswagen Rabbit years

Other 1979 Volkswagen models

Questions

Does the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit have any recalls?: 7 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system, gasoline, structure, vehicle speed control, electrical system. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Volkswagen dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit?: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.