What year Volkswagen Rabbit should I avoid?

The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 100 and 62 total complaints, the highest of any Rabbit year. Brakes account for 74% of its reported problems.

Which Volkswagen Rabbit years are best?

No Rabbit year earns a Best rating. 2006 and 2008 are rated Good, though both are capped at Good rather than a higher tier because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.

Is the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit reliable?

The 2007 Rabbit is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and 54 complaints, most involving brakes. It also had two recall campaigns and four reported crashes.

Does the Volkswagen Rabbit have a brake recall?

Yes. The 2009 Rabbit was part of recall 16V913000 covering ABS control module software, and 2007-2009 Rabbits with 2.5L engines were included in fuel line recall 10V621000.

What is the most common problem on the Volkswagen Rabbit?

Across all model years, brakes are the top problem area with 60 complaints, 39% of all reported issues, followed by electrical system problems at 20%.

Volkswagen Rabbit Best and Worst Years (2006–2009)

The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit ranks worst with a complaint index of 100, driven mainly by brake complaints (74% of its issues). 2006 and 2008 are rated Good, though capped due to less complete records for those years, while 2007 gets a Caution rating.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2009

Model years: 4; 2006–2009
NHTSA complaints: 152
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 12
Fires reported: 10
Top problem area: Brakes

Rabbit Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volkswagen Rabbit problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	Good	0	13	0	2	1	Engine	22	—
2007	Caution	67	54	4	2	2	Brakes	22	—
2008	Good	33	23	2	4	2	Airbags	24	—
2009	Avoid	100	62	6	2	2	Brakes	24	—

Rabbit years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Volkswagen Rabbit Index 100 · 62 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2009 Rabbit has the highest complaint index (100) of the four model years and the most complaints overall (62). Brakes dominate owner reports, making up 74% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 91,000. Electrical system, steering, and engine issues followed, with failures reported at higher mileages (110,000-115,000). NHTSA lists six crashes, two fires, two injuries, and one death tied to this year. Two recall campaigns cover the 2009 Rabbit: one for an ABS control module software update to fix brake self-test issues, and one for a fuel line inspection and possible replacement.

2009 brakes problems →

Most common Volkswagen Rabbit problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Brakes60 (39%)
Electrical System31 (20%)
Engine28 (18%)
Structure & Body20 (13%)
Airbags18 (12%)
Steering17 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain17 (11%)
Fuel System14 (9%)
Other6 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Volkswagen Rabbit should I avoid?: The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 100 and 62 total complaints, the highest of any Rabbit year. Brakes account for 74% of its reported problems.
Which Volkswagen Rabbit years are best?: No Rabbit year earns a Best rating. 2006 and 2008 are rated Good, though both are capped at Good rather than a higher tier because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
Is the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit reliable?: The 2007 Rabbit is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and 54 complaints, most involving brakes. It also had two recall campaigns and four reported crashes.
Does the Volkswagen Rabbit have a brake recall?: Yes. The 2009 Rabbit was part of recall 16V913000 covering ABS control module software, and 2007-2009 Rabbits with 2.5L engines were included in fuel line recall 10V621000.
What is the most common problem on the Volkswagen Rabbit?: Across all model years, brakes are the top problem area with 60 complaints, 39% of all reported issues, followed by electrical system problems at 20%.