Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1985 Volkswagen RABBIT: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1985 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation1100.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1996
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19961

1996: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 509418 · 1996-09-30 (September 30, 1996)

VEHICLE STALLED IN ROADWAY, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 509418 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

85V031000 · Seat Belts

Reported: 1985-03-25 (March 25, 1985)

FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS MAY NOT PROPERLY LOCK DURING SUDDEN HEAVY BRAKE APPLICATION OR IMPACT DUE TO THE INTERFERENCE OF TWO POSITIONING TABS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETAIN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SUBJECTING THEM TO POSSIBLE INJURY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELTS AND MODIFY THE RETRACTOR POSITIONING TABS.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 1 records
100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records
100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component2006200720082009
Service Brakes
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

713.0%
ODI 10721171 · 145 mi

IN DECEMBER OF 2014 WHILE TRAVELLING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER COMPLETELY FAILED. LEAVING NO WAY TO ENGAGE OR USE IT AT ALL. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE IT WAS 600 BUCKS FOR A NEW ONE THE PLASTIC PIN INSIDE HAD COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF. IN MAY OF 2015 THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR WHILE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED , IT GOES IN AND OUT AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS SOMETHING BROKE INSIDE A SEALED TRANSMISSION, MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS SCARY WHEN IT GOES FROM WORKING TO NOT WORKING IN A SPLIT SECOND.…

Look up ODI 10721171 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

3962.9%
ODI 10609573 · 72,500 mi

THE ABS, BRAKE, AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LAMPS CAME ON DURING A SCARY EVENT ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND QUICKLY TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING A CAR THAT SWERVED ACROSS TWO LANES AND CUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS FAILED, BUT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM WORKED LIKE A CAR WITHOUT ELECTRONIC CONTROLS, SO I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHILE BRAKING AND STEERING NEAR THE TRACTION LIMIT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE LAMPS STAYED ON UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO ABS OR…

Look up ODI 10609573 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
215.4%
ODI 10248915 · 35,000 mi

2006 VW RABBIT, 2.5L, 5 CYL. HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IDLING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE BUYING THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2006. I PREFER NOT TO GIVE MY VIN # FOR CONFIDENTIALITY REASONS. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORUMS ONLINE, INCLUDING VW EMPLOYEES WHO OWN THE CAR AND CLAIM VW OF AMERICA IS PRETENDING LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW OF SUCH AN ISSUE WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND THEY SAY ITS FINE, WELL I DON'T THINK IT IS AND I HAVE 2 LITTLE KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR ON A DAILY BASIS. *TR

Look up ODI 10248915 at NHTSA ↗

1018.5%
ODI 10256376 · 1,780 mi

ENGINE DIES WHILE ACCELERATION FROM A START CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 6 OUT OF EVERY 10 STARTS . TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR TWICE. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR 3 WEEKS. THE DEALER REPAIR MANAGER HAS YET TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Look up ODI 10256376 at NHTSA ↗

521.7%
ODI 10228354 · 4,400 mi

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 WARRANTY). I LOOK AT THIS WIRE JUST BEFORE DROPPING THE CAR AT VW, AND CONCLUDED EITHER A MANUFACTURER DEFECT (ASSEMBLY PLAN, MANUFACTURING...). I WAS FURIOUS AT THEIR CONCLUSION, BECAUSE THIS COULD BE DUE TO A LOT OF FACTORS (DEFINITELY NOT AN ANIMAL!…

Look up ODI 10228354 at NHTSA ↗

1117.7%
ODI 10761330 · 65,744 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT A NORMAL SPEED OF 45MPH, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SLIGHTLY. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE FUEL GAUGE ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE CAR NEEDED TO BE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING.

Look up ODI 10761330 at NHTSA ↗

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

23.7%
ODI 11019966 · 127,000 mi

AT RANDOM, THE TRACTION CONTROL ABS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER HAS GONE OFF. THE MECHANIC STATES THAT THE ISSUE IS THE ABS MODULE, AND THAT IT NEEDS REPLACING. THERE IS NO KNOWN REASON FOR ITS FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOW WITHOUT ABS. A SIMILAR RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ABS MODULE FROM LATER YEARS, SO I WOULD EXPECT THAT IT SHOULD BE PERFECTLY REASONABLE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE.

Look up ODI 11019966 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

2540.3%
ODI 10609573 · 72,500 mi

THE ABS, BRAKE, AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LAMPS CAME ON DURING A SCARY EVENT ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD AND QUICKLY TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING A CAR THAT SWERVED ACROSS TWO LANES AND CUT IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS FAILED, BUT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM WORKED LIKE A CAR WITHOUT ELECTRONIC CONTROLS, SO I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHILE BRAKING AND STEERING NEAR THE TRACTION LIMIT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE LAMPS STAYED ON UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO ABS OR…

Look up ODI 10609573 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags
17.7%
ODI 10470377 · 66,000 mi

ON TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS I HAD MY AIR BAGS LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT THE FIRST TIME AT NO CHARGE THE SECOND TIME I WAS CHARGED $100.00. THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME BUT ON BOTH SEATS FIRST, WAS THE PASSENGERS SEAT THE SECOND TIME, WAS THE DRIVERS SEATDRIVER SEAT. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE AT VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE (2006 WITH 69000 MILES ) THE COST WONT BE COVERED I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE (INTE…

Look up ODI 10470377 at NHTSA ↗

814.8%
ODI 10191914 · 600 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. HE HAS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, BUT THEY HAVE YET TO RETURN HIS PHONE CALL. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND SET UP AND APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. HE REFERRED TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. THE ENGINE SIZE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 4,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

Look up ODI 10191914 at NHTSA ↗

626.1%
ODI 10280447 · 14,000 mi

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 WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

Look up ODI 10280447 at NHTSA ↗

23.2%
ODI 11000204 · 50,000 mi

I HAD OBSERVED TWICE THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED UNDER HEAVY BRAKING. I READ THE SERVICE MANUAL AND SEVERAL VW FORUMS AND MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THIS WAS NORMAL UNDER WHAT IS CALLED 'EMERGENCY BREAK'. I BOTH CASES TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN RESTORED THE CAR TO NORMAL. ON FEBRUARY 2013 THE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FAILED AND THE CAR CRASHED AGAINST A WALL WHILE BRAKING BEFORE A TURN. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD: BRIAN FOXE AND MYSELF. FORTUNATELY, NONE GOT HURT ALTHOUGH I HAD TO BE PICKED U…

Look up ODI 11000204 at NHTSA ↗

Steering
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

47.4%
ODI 10422414 · 107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND PICTURES OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 107,000.

Look up ODI 10422414 at NHTSA ↗

313.0%
ODI 10460927 · 40,593 mi

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 WOULD GO STRAIGHT OR LEFT. THEN ON JUNE 4RTH 2012 WITH 79715 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THE STEERING STARTED POPPING AND CRACKING AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE ELECTROMECHANICAL STEERING UNIT WAS GOING BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS A …

Look up ODI 10460927 at NHTSA ↗

1016.1%
ODI 10820109 · 76,000 mi

MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE SINCE PURCHASE AND I HAVE HAD ALL THE NECESSARY MAINTENANCE DONE TO PREVENT ISSUES. LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY CARS STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS WELL AS STALLED ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. WHEN I LOOKED IT UP IT SEEMS THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ISSUE WITH CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V621000. ALBEIT THIS IS NOT THE SAME ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE SAME TIME AND I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE INTERRELATED. BEYOND THAT, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE S…

Look up ODI 10820109 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train
215.4%
ODI 10253110 · 6,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CONSUMER STEPS ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD ABOUT TEN FEET AND THEN DIES NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IN THE SAME POSITION AS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CAR STAYS IN HESITATION MODE FOR A PERIOD OF 2-5 SECONDS, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATOR RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 02-18-09 UPDATED 02/18/09. *JB

Look up ODI 10253110 at NHTSA ↗

59.3%
ODI 10576109 · 98,000 mi

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP...RPM'S INCREASED. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVE BODY WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT AND WOULD COST $1700. I DELAYED THE REPAIR DUE TO THE COST AND THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SHIFT FINE FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES HOWEVER A LOUD CLUNK BEGAN TO DEVELOP ( ON AND OFF...SPORADICALLY) IN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2 GEARS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE CLUNKING. A REPAIR ORDER WAS NOT WRITTEN BECAUSE I DELAYED DUE…

Look up ODI 10576109 at NHTSA ↗

417.4%
ODI 10323362 · 14,484 mi

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 WILL HAPPEN AS THERE IS NO SET PATTERN. I FEEL LIKE THE DEALER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE AS THEY SAY IT MIGHT GET WORSE THEN THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE SCANNER,AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON.

Look up ODI 10323362 at NHTSA ↗

46.5%
ODI 10876408 · 40,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING AT APPROX. 70- 80 MPH ON HIGHWAY FOR OVER 1 HOUR AND STOPPING WOULD FEEL OFF AFTER COMING TO AN A COMPLETE STOP FROM TRAFFIC OR EXITING THE FREEWAY, AND THEN THE CAR HAD TROUBLE REVVING UP - COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AS IT WOULD BE HARD TO GET UP TO EVEN 30 MPH - SEEMED TO GO INTO A FALSE NEUTRAL. FIRST FEW TIMES IT WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL IF I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE FOR 15 MINUTES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY AND WOULD ONLY GO BACK TO NORMAL IF ENGINE WAS OFF FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. HAP…

Look up ODI 10876408 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control
17.7%
ODI 10253110 · 6,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE CONSUMER STEPS ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD ABOUT TEN FEET AND THEN DIES NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IN THE SAME POSITION AS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE CAR STAYS IN HESITATION MODE FOR A PERIOD OF 2-5 SECONDS, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATOR RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 02-18-09 UPDATED 02/18/09. *JB

Look up ODI 10253110 at NHTSA ↗

59.3%
ODI 10190436 · 300 mi

RABBIT ISSUES: 4 MONTHS IN. TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA...WITH 300000 LMS ON THE CAR I WAS STUCK IN INNER CITY TRAFFIC JUST AFTER I PULLED OUT OF MY STREET WHERE I LIVED. IT WAS A WARM DAY IN JANUARY, AND I HAD LET THE CAR WARM UP , BUT WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC IT DECIDED TO STALL. I HAD TO WAIT A FEW SECONDS TO GET THE MOTOR TO TURN BACK OVER. THE CAR HAD BEEN SHAKING MORE THEN IT WOULD NORMALLY A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE. THEN, THE OTHER DAY, I STARTED THE CAR, CLEANED THE SNOW OFF, AND THEN DROVE OFF. GETTING OUT OF MY STREET HAD TO CROSS A REALLY BUS…

Look up ODI 10190436 at NHTSA ↗

14.3%
ODI 11085159 · 180,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 11085159 at NHTSA ↗

58.1%
ODI 10761330 · 65,744 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT A NORMAL SPEED OF 45MPH, THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE SLIGHTLY. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED ON, AND THE FUEL GAUGE ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE CAR NEEDED TO BE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING.

Look up ODI 10761330 at NHTSA ↗

Seats
215.4%
ODI 10438514 · 115,850 mi

WHILE IDLING CAR AFTER STARTING, SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON. DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE BACK WARMER SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A GRAPE SIZE BURN HOLE IN CLOTH SEAT. *TR

Look up ODI 10438514 at NHTSA ↗

814.8%
ODI 10551715 · 23,000 mi

THE DRIVER SEAT IS STUCK AND WONT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. SOMETHING IS BROKEN IN THE MECHANISM OF THE SEAT TRACKS AND LEVERS. I CAN NOT REACH THE PEDALS. PASSENGERS IN THE REAR CANNOT SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. THE RELEASE MECHANISM ON THE PASSENGER SEAT NEAR THE HEAD REST ALSO STOPPED WORKING. THE SEAT FOLDS DOWN BUT THE SEAT DOES NOT SLIDE FORWARD. *TR

Look up ODI 10551715 at NHTSA ↗

14.3%
ODI 10936470 · 93,000 mi

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. THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE SEAT AND INTO THE JACKET I WAS WEARING. *TR

Look up ODI 10936470 at NHTSA ↗

23.2%
ODI 10822896 · 105,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN USING THE HEATED SEATS THE PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CABIN FILLED UP WITH THICK SMOKE AND WE COULD NOT BREATH. WE HAD TO STOP THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY WIFE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND WE PUT OUT THE FIRE. THIS IS A KNOWN VW PROBLEM THAT HAD A FULL RECALL IN CANADA. ASTONISHINGLY, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO MENTION OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THE LOCAL VW DEALER DENIED ALL KNOWLEDGE OF ANY HEATED SEATS CATCHING FIRE BUT THEY INSTANTLY GAVE ME A $755.00 QUOTE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH A…

Look up ODI 10822896 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 212 reports

2008: 12 complaints · 2009: 4 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
20084712
2009144
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20082300
20096200

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 100.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 509418

VEHICLE STALLED IN ROADWAY, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)

Look up ODI 509418 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b