Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with Volkswagen before booking a repair.
Transport Canada · listed for this model year
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. - INOPERATIVE EGR VALVE -
1987020 · 25,706 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
LEFT OR RIGHT INNER TIE-ROD LOCK NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON POOR ROADS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS, THE TIE-ROD COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH.
1982021 · 230 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
On certain vehicles, the outer tie rod ends may contain circumferential crack. If a vehicle is driven on rough roads for an extended period, a tie rod end could loosen and eventually separate.
1981094 · 145 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
POSSIBILITY OF FUEL SPURTING OUT IN THE EVENT THAT FILLER CAP IS OPENED RAPIDLY WHILE THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL AND PRESSURIZED DUE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
1981065 · 380 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
United States records (NHTSA) · 4
These are NHTSA campaigns for 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit vehicles sold in the United States. They are not Canadian recalls: NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data, and a US campaign may have no Canadian counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in Canada, go by the Transport Canada listing above and Volkswagen's Canadian VIN lookup.
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."
BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
06E018000 · 266 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
A LOCK NUT WHICH SECURES THE TIE ROD TO THE INNER BALL JOINT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURELY FASTENED ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ALONG POOR ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
DEALER WILL CHECK THE LOCK NUT FOR ADEQUATE TIGHTNESS, CORRECTING WHERE NECESSARY.
82V016000 · 5,200 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS DUE TO AN IMPROPER MACHINE SET-UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
THE TIE ROD ENDS WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
81V106000 · 4,800 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
DEALER WILL INSTALL A RESTRICTOR VALVE INTO THE FUEL FILLER PIPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
81V058000 · 133,000 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorized dealer
1981 Volkswagen Rabbit recall questions
Transport Canada lists 4 recalls for the 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window, and some only vehicles found on inspection. NHTSA lists 4 United States campaigns for the US-market model, shown separately; a US campaign may have no Canadian equivalent.
Enter your VIN in Volkswagen's Canadian recall lookup, or call a Volkswagen dealer with your VIN. In Canada the manufacturer is responsible for showing recall and repair status for each VIN, so its lookup is the authoritative answer. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. NHTSA campaigns cover vehicles sold in the United States, and NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data. When a defect also affects Canadian vehicles, the manufacturer files a separate notice with Transport Canada, often under a different number and sometimes covering a different set of vehicles. For a Canadian vehicle, go by the Transport Canada listing and Volkswagen's Canadian lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorized Volkswagen dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once Volkswagen's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorized Volkswagen dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with Volkswagen Canada so notices reach you, and check the manufacturer's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Recall listings for the latest model year vehicles.