2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 13%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,593miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, 13% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,593 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Steering stopped working and caught fire, there is a hole in the side of it like a laser shot out of the electromechanical steering gear box. I had parked in my driveway, and within 15 min after it was parked, smoke came billowing out from under the hood, it ended up being the electronic steering on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11154668, filed 2018-11, 1,690 miles“The airbag light came on, because the clock spring is bad. This has also caused the horn button to not work. Sometimes the horn honks when I make sharp turns. It is unclear whether or not the driver airbag would deploy in the event of an impact, but from what I can tell it is quite unlikely. This also effects the functionality of the buttons on the sticks on either side of the steering wheel for the cruise control, the multi function display, and the windshield wipers. Sometimes those buttons work, sometimes they don't and sometimes they do things they aren't designed to do. …”
NHTSA complaint #10650149, filed 2014-10, 65,000 miles“The steering started making a popping and cracking sound while turning. The dealership said that the electromechanical steering unit was going bad and they had to fix it. They said that if it failed totally I would not be able to control vehicle properly. You could turn right and the vehicle would go straight or left. Then on june 4rth 2012 with 79715 miles on the vehicle the steering started popping and cracking again. The dealership said that the electromechanical steering unit was going bad and needed to be replaced again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10460927, filed 2012-06, 40,593 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10181413Oct 2, 2020Mandatory fastener.
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology