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Research · Compact Cars

2007 Volkswagen RabbitRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints for the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit. Most complaints involve electrical system (10) and air bags (8). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2010
Owner complaints
54
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 10, 2010NHTSA 10V621000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.

Exterior lightingReported Sep 24, 2007NHTSA 07V442000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

54 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2006 – Apr 2024
  1. Electrical system10
  2. Air bags8
  3. Seats8
  4. Service brakes7
  5. Power train5
  6. Vehicle speed control5
  7. Steering4
  8. Fuel system, gasoline4
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rabbit model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200613
200754
200823
200962
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

10 reports1 fire
“WHILE STARTING THE CAR, SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS CAME ON, INCLUDING THE ECP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ENTERING THE REVERSE GEAR MADE THE CAR ACCELERATE FAST BACKWARDS WHEN RELEASING THE BREAKS BUT NOT USING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. THE SURPRISE IT CAME WITH COULD HAVE LED TO BACK INTO CARS OR PASSENGERS STANDING BEHIND. THE CAR FELL INTO A SAFETY MODE, FORWARD ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY TO MAX 30 MPH WHILE HEADING TO A SHOP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2019Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11194395

Air bags

8 reports1 crash
“TAKATA RECALL, THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TO CHECK IT AND I WAS THE AIR BAG DEFECTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE; AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT ON THE RECALL. I WONDER WHY VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT 2007 WAS NOT ON THE RECALL? MY VEHICLE JUST HAD 68047 MILES. I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING INFO ASAP. THANKS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2017Air bagsODI 10957857

Seats

8 reports2 fires
“VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET IN NORTH CHATHAM, MA. SMELL OF BURNING. PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER HAD BURNT A HOLE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK. A HOLE WAS ALSO BURNT IN THE OUTER LAYER OF MY GOOSE DOWN COAT WHERE IT MADE CONTACT WITH BURNING SEAT BACK. BURNT HOLE IN SEAT IS APPROXIMATELY 0.375 INCH DIAMETER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2020SeatsODI 11300351
All 2007 Rabbit problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rabbit
Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,900404
Rabbit
Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,900404
  • Rabbit
    Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Rabbit
    Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2297Vehicle 2115
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Rabbit questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit problems?

Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (10), air bags (8), seats (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026