Volkswagen RABBIT transmission problems
16 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
160 owner complaints analyzed
20 distinct recall campaigns
72,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1975 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 127 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
16 of 160 complaints match this topic (10.0%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10233526 · 2008-07-08 (July 8, 2008)
MY 06 VW RABBIT (BOUGHT IN JUNE, PROBLEMS STARTED IN APPROX AUGUST) WILL STALL OR SPUTTER SPORADICALLY. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN WAITING AT A LIGHT, SITTING IN TRAFFIC, OR WHEN ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AND THE CAR IS IDLE. IT HAS HAPPENED MONTHS APART AND SOMETIMES DAYS APART. IF THE CAR DOES NOT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY IT SOMETIMES DOES A HARD JERK BACK AND FORTH LIKE WHEN YOU DON'T EASE OF THE CLUTCH RIGHT WHEN DRIVING A STICK (THIS IS AN A/T TRANSMISSION) AND THE RPM'S DROP TO JUST ABOVE 0. THE CAR STARTS BACK UP AFTER IT SHUTS OFF HOWEVER THE LAST CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277955 · 2009-07-22 (July 22, 2009)
I HAD SUSPECTED THAT MY DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ON MY MANUAL 2006 RABBIT W/ 24K WAS BEGINNING TO FAIL BECAUSE I HEARD/FELT SOMETHING SHAKING AROUND IN THE BELL HOUSING OF THE VEHICLE 1 OUT 10 TIMES THAT I WOULD DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN 1ST GEAR. THE SHAKE HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT IN THE PAST YEAR IT HAD GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. SO I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN MY CAR BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY. THE GEAR WOULD ENGAGE RIGHT WHEN I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE A…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,129 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277955 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 10721171 · 2015-05-23 (May 23, 2015)
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.…
Owner-reported narrative. 145 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721171 at NHTSA ↗