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1982 Volkswagen Rabbit

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
5Owner complaints

Model-year median: 1

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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19792
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19815
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19831
19841
1985
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
3Electrical System
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
127,000 miles · Nov 15, 2004
Electrical 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…

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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. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLS CONSTANTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SHUTOFF PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE STALL WHEN DRIVEN. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10097526

Official recalls

1

85V015000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System

Feb 12, 1985

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 ITS IDLE POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE IF THERE IS NO CRACK IN THE THROTTLE SHAFT. INSTALL A NEW CARBURETOR WITH REINFORCED THROTTLE SHAFT IF A HAIRLINE CRACK HAS DEVELOPED IN THE SHAFT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP82002 · Rear View Mirror

Opened Nov 17, 1981 · Closed Feb 2, 1982

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

REAR VIEW MIRROR