2007 Volkswagen RABBIT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 54 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 22.2% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 7.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Seats | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
Electrical System: 10; Air Bags: 8; Seats: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Power Train: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Steering: 4; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 12 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 7; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 7; 2018: 5; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10210961 · 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)
EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR AT 6K MILES ON MY CAR DUE TO OVER TIGHTENING OF PARKING BRAKE AT FACTORY, THUS CAUSING PADS TO STICK AND WEAR OUT WAY TOO EARLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10212350 · 2007-12-19 (December 19, 2007)
I HAVE A 2007 VW RABBIT, PURCHASED AUGUST 13, 2007. MANUFACTURED 05/2007 MY BRAKES APPEARED TO BE SQUEALING UNDER LIGHT DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL DURING LOW SPEED BRAKING SITUATIONS. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NEAREST ME. WHEN ALLEGED REPAIR OF MY VEHICLE WAS COMPLETED THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT REMAINING PAD LIFE AVERAGED 80% FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. HOWEVER UPON COMPLETION OF WORK VEHICLE SQUEALED LOUDER THAN WHEN VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF FOR SERVICE. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE SQUEALS ORIGIN, THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,366 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190436 · 2007-05-10 (May 10, 2007)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239517 · 2008-08-24 (August 24, 2008)
2007 VW RABBIT WITH 20,000 MILES MANUAL TRANSMISSION STALLS DURING TAKE OFF AFTER BEING WARMED UP. TAKING OFF FROM A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY AND QUICKLY COME TO A STOP AND HAVE TO BE RESTARTED CAUSING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME TO CATCH UP VERY FAST ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER 3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME THEY HAD IT FOR 2 WEEKS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, COLI PACKS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, PERFORMED A STATIC DISCHARGE ON COMPLETE WIRING SYS…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,451 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576109 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190320 · 2007-05-09 (May 9, 2007)
AFTER GETTING OFF FROM WORK IN NEW JERSEY THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING. BATTERY LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. BATTERY WAS FINE BECAUSE RADIO, AIR CONDITIONER, AND OTHER FEATURES WERE RUNNING. *AK FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED BEFORE MILEAGE REACHED 9,000.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10190320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10422414 · 2011-08-29 (August 29, 2011)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10422414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10650418 · 2014-10-27 (October 27, 2014)
I WANT TO ADD A COMPLAINT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN MARK FIVE MODEL'S CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. FOR SOME REASON, THIS SENOR AT TIMES DOES SOMETHING TO THE ENGINE AND IT KILLS THE ENGINE. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SPAN OF 4 MONTHS. EVERYTHING IS ON, INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS, ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, STEERING BUT AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE ENGINE DIES AND I'VE HAD TO COAST TO A STOP TO RESTART IT AND RESTARTS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I'VE LOOKED AT FORUMS TO SEE WHAT COULD BE CAUSING IT AND MY POINTED TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. IT'S OCCURRED TO VEHICLES…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650418 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176621 · 2006-12-19 (December 19, 2006)
THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW, LESS THAN A DAY OLD FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WITH ONLY 240 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO DINNER, AND AFTER DINNER IT WOULD NOT START, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK. MANUFACTURE SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A FUEL LINE THAT HAD BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THEY RE-ATTACHED IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 245 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176621 at NHTSA ↗