Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with NHTSA or Volkswagen before booking a repair.
NHTSA · listed for this model year
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
Canadian records (Transport Canada) · 4
These are Transport Canada campaigns for 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit vehicles sold in Canada. A Canadian campaign may have no US counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in the United States, go by the NHTSA listing above and NHTSA's VIN lookup.
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
1981 Volkswagen Rabbit recall questions
NHTSA 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. Transport Canada lists 4 Canadian campaigns for the Canadian-market model, shown separately.
Enter your VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup or Volkswagen's own, or call a Volkswagen dealer with your VIN. 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. Transport Canada campaigns cover vehicles sold in Canada. For a vehicle sold in the United States, go by the NHTSA listing and NHTSA's VIN 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 so notices reach you, and check NHTSA's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Recall listings for the latest model year vehicles.