2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT Problems & Recalls

PULLED CAR UP TO PROPANE DISPLAY OUTSIDE OF HEB GROCERY STORE. ONCE TANKS WERE EXCHANGED, NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM ENGINE. TURNED CARE OFF, GOT OUT AND NOTICED FIRE UNDERNEATH ENGINE. STORE EMPLOYEE GOT HOOD OPEN, DOUSED FIRE. CALLED WRECKER TO TOW CAR HOME. ON DECEMBER 25, 2020 NEIGHBOR NOTICED...

Mileage: 123,984

PULLED CAR UP TO PROPANE DISPLAY OUTSIDE OF HEB GROCERY STORE. ONCE TANKS WERE EXCHANGED, NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM ENGINE. TURNED CARE OFF, GOT OUT AND NOTICED FIRE UNDERNEATH ENGINE. STORE EMPLOYEE GOT HOOD OPEN, DOUSED FIRE. CALLED WRECKER TO TOW CAR HOME. ON DECEMBER 25, 2020 NEIGHBOR NOTICED...

Mileage: 123,984

PULLED CAR UP TO PROPANE DISPLAY OUTSIDE OF HEB GROCERY STORE. ONCE TANKS WERE EXCHANGED, NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM ENGINE. TURNED CARE OFF, GOT OUT AND NOTICED FIRE UNDERNEATH ENGINE. STORE EMPLOYEE GOT HOOD OPEN, DOUSED FIRE. CALLED WRECKER TO TOW CAR HOME. ON DECEMBER 25, 2020 NEIGHBOR NOTICED...

Mileage: 123,984

IN MOTION: THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING UP. THERE IS DELAY, THEREFORE THE CAR IS 'JUMPING' BEFORE THE HIGHER LEVEL OF GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT. THIS PROBLEM LAST FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS IN MOTION: THE USE OF FUEL IS MUCH HIGHER THAN USED TO BE, EVEN ALL INJECTORS ARE PROPERLY WORKING. THIS ...

Mileage: 138,000

IN MOTION: THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING UP. THERE IS DELAY, THEREFORE THE CAR IS 'JUMPING' BEFORE THE HIGHER LEVEL OF GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT. THIS PROBLEM LAST FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS IN MOTION: THE USE OF FUEL IS MUCH HIGHER THAN USED TO BE, EVEN ALL INJECTORS ARE PROPERLY WORKING. THIS ...

Mileage: 138,000

IN MOTION: THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING UP. THERE IS DELAY, THEREFORE THE CAR IS 'JUMPING' BEFORE THE HIGHER LEVEL OF GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT. THIS PROBLEM LAST FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS IN MOTION: THE USE OF FUEL IS MUCH HIGHER THAN USED TO BE, EVEN ALL INJECTORS ARE PROPERLY WORKING. THIS ...

Mileage: 138,000

AIRBAG FAULTY LIGHT AND MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD STARTED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION

Mileage: 116,300

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...

Mileage: 1,690

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...

Mileage: 1,690

WAS IN A TIGHT SPOT AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP I HIT A BARRIER BEHIND ME, AFTER STOPPING AND SHIFTING TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR SPED UP UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A WALL IN FRONT. THE SPACE AND TIME WAS VERY SMALL/SHORT, BUT THE FORCE WAS SO RAPID THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 180,000

WAS IN A TIGHT SPOT AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP I HIT A BARRIER BEHIND ME, AFTER STOPPING AND SHIFTING TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR SPED UP UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A WALL IN FRONT. THE SPACE AND TIME WAS VERY SMALL/SHORT, BUT THE FORCE WAS SO RAPID THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 180,000

WAS IN A TIGHT SPOT AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP I HIT A BARRIER BEHIND ME, AFTER STOPPING AND SHIFTING TO GO FORWARD, THE CAR SPED UP UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A WALL IN FRONT. THE SPACE AND TIME WAS VERY SMALL/SHORT, BUT THE FORCE WAS SO RAPID THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 180,000

I HAD THE HEATED SEATS ON AT THE LOWEST SETTING OF 1. I WAS DRIVING ON THE MAIN ROAD BY MY HOUSE AND THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED GETTING REALLY HOT AND I SMELLED SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AS I WAS WORRIED THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER, GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE SEAT. THE...

Mileage: 93,000

I HAD THE HEATED SEATS ON AT THE LOWEST SETTING OF 1. I WAS DRIVING ON THE MAIN ROAD BY MY HOUSE AND THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED GETTING REALLY HOT AND I SMELLED SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AS I WAS WORRIED THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER, GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE SEAT. THE...

Mileage: 93,000

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE HORN IS NOT WORKING. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING. OTHER VWS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND I THINK THE HORN IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO AL...

Mileage: 121,600

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE HORN IS NOT WORKING. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A BROKEN CLOCK SPRING. OTHER VWS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND I THINK THE HORN IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO AL...

Mileage: 121,600

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 AL...

Mileage: 65,000

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 AL...

Mileage: 65,000

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 AL...

Mileage: 65,000

I TRIED TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND HAD VERY SLOW ACCELERATION. I SWITCHED TO MANUAL SHIFT MODE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. ONCE I STARTED I COULDN'T STOP AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT ACROSS THE LANES. I HAVE HAD SIMILAR OCCURRENCES BEFO...

Mileage: 79,000

AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AROUND END OF MAY 2013 AND I TOOK THE CAR TO BE SEEN BY A VW TECHNICIAN AT DIRITO BROTHERS IN WALNUT CREEK, CA ([XXX]- TECHNICIAN AND [XXX]- SERVICE MANAGER). AFTER I WAS CHARGED A $75 SERVICE FEE FOR ASSESSING THE ISSUE AND NOTHING WAS FIXED, I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT VW OF A...

Mileage: 89,000

WHILE DRIVING IN SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED LEAVING DUAL SKID MARKS ON PAVEMENT. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. WHEN TOWED, A POOL OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FOUND UNDER CAR, MECHANIC REPORTS NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED BUT EXACT CAUSE CURRENTL...

Mileage: 74,300

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 WOUL...

Mileage: 40,593

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE FROM 5 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FAILED TWICE PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND...

Mileage: 27,000

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 VW RABBIT WITH SUNROOF SEPT '08. SUNROOF REPAIRED 10/'09. JAN '10 ROOF DAMAGED BY TREE BRANCH. ENTIRE ROOF REPLACED 'BUT' BODY SHOP ADVISED NOT TO INSTALL SUNROOF. THE SHOP EMAILED PHOTO'S OF EXISTING ROOF SHOWING STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS I.E. THE OEM ROOF BEAMS ATTACHING BODY T...

Mileage: 68

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE OPERATING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SUDDENLY DISENGAGE. WHEN HE WOULD DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD RESUME OPERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS A FAILU...

Mileage: 20,000

VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR ON OCASSIONS, NO RESPONSE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FRON STOP. HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW DEALER @ 5,000,10,000, & 15,000 MILES. THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGERIOUS SITUATION AS IT STALLS, THEN ACCELERATES VERY FAST . I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT W...

Mileage: 14,484

I OWN A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT, 2 DOOR MODEL. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUXILIARY POWER PLUG (12V CIGARETTE LIGHTER TYPE) INSIDE THE TRUNK. IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE POWER PLUG, THE IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE IN THE "ON" POSITION (WITH THE CAR ENGINE OFF). I REVERSED INTO A PARKING LOT OPENING THE HATCH AND...

Mileage: 50,000

MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT, WITH ONLY 4130 MILES, HAD BEEN PARKED FOR FOUR HOURS (IN A SHADED AREA) WHEN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE IMPACT WAS SUCH THAT THE BUMPER SEPARATED FROM THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTION BY OUR MECHANIC IT WAS SUGGESTED THE REMAINING FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES BE REPLACED...

Mileage: 4,130

I PURCHASED A 2008 VW RABBIT, W/MANUAL TRANSMISSION, NEW DURING APRIL OF 2008. SINCE THE FIRST MILES DRIVEN TO TODAY, THERE HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT FUEL SHUTOFF PROBLEM THAT RESULTS IN A STALL OR A LURCH THAT RESULTS IN A NEAR-STOP. THIS OCCURS IN LOW-SPEED, HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS WITH TRAILING T...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON, WHICH SEVERELY DAMAGED THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE CONTACT AND OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST MORE THAN $12,000. THE SPEED ...

Mileage: 14,000

THE ENGINE LOSS POWER NOT ONLY WHEN YOU STOP BUT WHEN RUNNING TOO. IT HAPPENS IN A INTERMITENT TIME. IF YOU NEED MORE POWER IN A SPECIFIC TIME AND PUSH FOR MORE GASOLINE THE ENGINE GOES DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF 4 TO 6 SECONDS. IT HAS A NOISE IN THE REAR LIKE WHEN THE EXHAUST PIPE ARE LOOSE. ALL THIS...

Mileage: 1,000

STANDARD AUTOMATIC RABBIT 2.5 COUPE... STALLS OFTEN DURING TAKE OFF AFTER WARM UP. NOT COMPLETELY, BUT POWERING DOWN FROM 1500 NORMAL IDLING RPM TO ABOUT 5-700 AS IF IT IS GOING TO QUIT. IF I BACK OFF ON ACCELERATION, IT RECOVERS SLOWLY. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DRI...

Mileage: 600

STANDARD AUTOMATIC RABBIT 2.5 COUPE... STALLS OFTEN DURING TAKE OFF AFTER WARM UP. NOT COMPLETELY, BUT POWERING DOWN FROM 1500 NORMAL IDLING RPM TO ABOUT 5-700 AS IF IT IS GOING TO QUIT. IF I BACK OFF ON ACCELERATION, IT RECOVERS SLOWLY. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DRI...

Mileage: 600

I BOUGHT VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT 2008 MODEL TWO MONTHS AGO, AND LESS THAN 4,500 MILES THE OXYGEN SENSOR WIRE RIPPED YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS MORNING I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TELLING ME THAT THE CUT WAS DUE TO AN ANIMAL!! (SO IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED BY THE WARR...

Mileage: 4,400