2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 46 of 62 complaints (74%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 23 in 2008 to 62 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | vs. 2009 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850 | 2,600 | 2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 24 | 24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19 / 28 | 21–22 / 29 | 20–21 / 29–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404 | 370 | 370 | |
| Complaints filed | 54 | 23 | 62 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit?
Brakes: 46 of 62 NHTSA complaints (74%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit get?
EPA rates it 24 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit?
EPA estimates $2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 46 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · Campaign 16V913000 · Dec 20, 2016
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Consequence: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 10V621000 · Dec 14, 2010
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.