1976 Volkswagen Rabbit Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1976 Volkswagen Rabbit has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,560,663 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 83V116000 1983-11-09 661,585 affected
Defect

BRAKE LINES INSTALLED UNDERNEATH THE CARPETING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MAY RUST DUE TO THE ENTRY OF WATER AND ROAD SALT. IF RUSTING REMAINS UNCHECKED, IT PRODUCES LEAKS IN THE LINES AND BRAKE FLUID MAY BE LOST.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERIOR BRAKE LINES AT NO COST TO OWNER. OWNERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT TWO-YEAR INTERVALS.

STRUCTURE 80V035000 1980-03-26 140,000 affected
Defect

ON SOME VEHICLES, THE FENDER OPENING THROUGH WHICH THE ANTENNA CABLE IS ROUTED MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED. AS A RESULT, SPLASHED WATER FROM THE TIRES COULD ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE OPENING, ENTER THE FUSE RELAY BOARD AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE TERMINALS. ALSO, BECAUSE WATER IS A GOOD CONDUCTOR OF…

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SEAL THE RADIO ANTENNA HOLES AND REPLACE CORRODED COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER..

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 79V120000 1979-05-17 540,000 affected
Defect

DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY SEALED ANTENNA MOUNTING HOLE, WATER COULD SEAP INTO THE FUSE RELAY BOARD. THE WATER ENTERING THE FUSE RELAY BOARD ACTS AS A CONDUCTOR OF CURRENT, THEREBY CHARGING THE STARTER.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL SEAL ALL RADIO ANTENNA CABLE HOLES. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE RELAY/FUSE BOARD WILL BE CHECKED AND REPLACED IN THE CASE OF CORROSION.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 77V245000 1977-12-30 219,000 affected
Defect

THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES COULD FAIL PREMATURELY UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. THIS WOULD EITHER PREVENT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION OR CAUSE A LOSS OF ADEQUATE ENGINE POWER.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

EQUIPMENT 77V175000 1977-10-13 78 affected
Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS". THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENTLY EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE FLUID CONTAINER CAP ON WHICH THE WARNING TEXT WAS PRINTED IN GERMAN.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SUPPLEMENT LABEL, PRINTED IN ENGLISH, ON THE BRAKE FLUID CONTAINER, DISPLAYING THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, FREE OF CHARGE.

Defect investigations

Investigation DP82002 Opened 1981-11-17 · closed 1982-02-02

REAR VIEW MIRROR

REAR VIEW MIRROR

Investigation DP83003 Opened 1982-11-04 · closed 1982-11-18

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION OF

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FLUID LINES

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1976 Volkswagen Rabbit as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.