1982 Volkswagen Rabbit Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 127,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and other or unknown (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 127,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system3 60%
- Electrical system1 20%
- Other or unknown1 20%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Consumer complaint about 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit bad electrical connection. The vehicle would stall suddenly while in motion along with a strong fuel smell. Recall campaign# 85v015000.”
NHTSA complaint #10113530, filed 2005-02Electrical system: “Consumer had a 1982 Volkswagen . He read on the internet that this vehicle was being recalled for an electrical fuse panel which would overload/overheat, and malfunction. This would cause the electrical supply to the fuel pump to be interrupted. Consumer took the vehicle to a local Volkswagen dealer, and they claimed that they never heard of this recall. Then consumer contacted the manufacturer, who also said no. The vehicle stalls constantly. The consumer stated that the fuel pump shutoff problem causes the vehicle stall when driven.”
NHTSA complaint #10097526, filed 2004-11, 127,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 127,000 and 127,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 85V015000Feb 12, 1985Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor systemCovers: Volkswagen Rabbit 1982–1984
The throttle shaft of the carburetor may crack and eventually break at the threaded hole for the throttle plate connection due to excessive vibration of the throttle shaft. Consequence of defect: if the throttle shaft breaks, the throttle would not return to…
Recall details for the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP82002Rear view mirrorClosed · Nov 17, 1981
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit.
Other model years of the Volkswagen Rabbit
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 62 | 90,555 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2008 | 23 | 45,296 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 54 | 66,400 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 13 | 24,129 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1982 | 5 | 127,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Rabbit model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 127,000 miles and the middle half falls between 127,000 and 127,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.