1977 Volkswagen Rabbit 2-Door 4MT
All photo credits
- Photo: 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit LS 2-Door in Diamond Silver Metallic, front right, 2024-07-29 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit L in Cashmere White, front left, 09-19-2026 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1982 VW Rabbit L injection 5-dr by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit LS Diesel in Lago Blue, rear right by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit L in Cashmere White, rear left, 09-19-2026 by Cutlass, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1977 Volkswagen Rabbit 2-Door 4MT is a 78-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $3,499 MSRP.
It makes 78 horsepower at 5,500 rpm.
The Rabbit measures 155.3 inches long on a 94.5-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Hatchback |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $3,499 ($18,765 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | EA827 1.6L SOHC I4, naturally aspirated |
| Displacement | 1.6 L |
| Horsepower | 78 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder, timing belt |
| Bore and Stroke | 79.5 x 80 |
| Compression Ratio | 8.2:1 |
| Injection Type | Bosch CIS fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| Tank Capacity | 11 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, negative steering roll radius |
| Rear Suspension | Independent stabilizer axle, coil/shock absorber struts |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Turning Diameter | 31.2 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Power-assisted disc |
| Rear Brake Disc | Drum |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 4.5J x 13 |
| Wheels Rear | 4.5J x 13 |
| Tires Front | 145 x 13 |
| Tires Rear | 145 x 13 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 155.3 in |
| Width | 63.4 in |
| Height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in |
| Front Track | 54.7 in |
| Rear Track | 53.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.9 in |
| Cargo Volume | 11.3 ft³ |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1977 Volkswagen Rabbit 2-Door 4MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
7 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1977 Volkswagen RABBIT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mar 1, 2006 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CERTAIN HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES, P/N 171.611.107B, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1975-1985 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) RABBIT; 1985-1992 VW GOLF; AND 1980-1992 VW JETTA PASSENGER VEHICLES. POSSIBLE BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD OCCUR WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES."
Consequence: BRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE BRAKE HOSES WITH COMPLIANT BRAKE HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS AT 305-885-8646 EXT. 11.
NHTSA campaign 06E018000
Nov 9, 1983 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE FUEL PUMP MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR BECAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE FUSE PANEL MAY OVERHEAT AND INTERRUPT THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUSE BOX AND ITS CONNECTORS FOR CORROSION, AND CORRECT WHERE NECESSARY. A BYPASS ADAPTER TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL BE INSTALLED.
NHTSA campaign 83V117000
Nov 9, 1983 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINES INSTALLED UNDERNEATH THE CARPETING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MAY RUST DUE TO THE ENTRY OF WATER AND ROAD SALT. IF RUSTING REMAINS UNCHECKED, IT PRODUCES LEAKS IN THE LINES AND BRAKE FLUID MAY BE LOST.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERIOR BRAKE LINES AT NO COST TO OWNER. OWNERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT TWO-YEAR INTERVALS.
NHTSA campaign 83V116000
Sep 24, 1981 · STRUCTURE:BODY
CORROSIVE DAMAGE AND INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO STOP FUNCTIONING. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY IS ONE OF SEVERAL RELAYS ON A RELAY BOARD LOCATED NEAR THE FIREWALL. CORROSION CAUSED BY RAIN ENTERING AN IMPROPERLY SEALED ANTENNA HOLE HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF PREVIOUS CAMPAIGNS, BUT ADDITIONAL MEASURES ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED.
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE MODIFICATION HAS BEEN PERFORMED. IF NOT, A BYPASS WILL BE INSTALLED TO LOCATE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY AWAY FROM THE RELAY BOARD. ANY CORRODED RELAY BOARDS OR CONNECTORS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA campaign 81V113000
Jan 28, 1981 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WHICH LEADS FROM THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO THE THROTTLE HOUSING MAY MALFUNCTION. ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN BENT DURING INSTALLATION OR DURING SERVICING OF ENGINE COMPONENTS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE STEEL BAND CABLE TO BIND AND CAN RESULT IN DELAYED RESPONSE DURING DECELERATION, HIGH ENGINE IDLE AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION.
Remedy: THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. IN ADDITION, OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM WILL BE CHECKED, LUBRICATED, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACED. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign 81V012000
Mar 26, 1980 · STRUCTURE:BODY
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE FENDER OPENING THROUGH WHICH THE ANTENNA CABLE IS ROUTED MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED. AS A RESULT, SPLASHED WATER FROM THE TIRES COULD ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE OPENING, ENTER THE FUSE RELAY BOARD AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE TERMINALS. ALSO, BECAUSE WATER IS A GOOD CONDUCTOR OF ELECTRICITY, THE STARTER CAN BE ACTIVATED ACCIDENTALLY; THE HIGH FLOW OF ELECTRICITY MAY EXHAUST THE BATTERY WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THUS RESTARTING THE ENGINE WOULD BECOME IMPOSSIBLE AND PARKING LIGHTS AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SEAL THE RADIO ANTENNA HOLES AND REPLACE CORRODED COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER..
NHTSA campaign 80V035000
May 17, 1979 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY SEALED ANTENNA MOUNTING HOLE, WATER COULD SEAP INTO THE FUSE RELAY BOARD. THE WATER ENTERING THE FUSE RELAY BOARD ACTS AS A CONDUCTOR OF CURRENT, THEREBY CHARGING THE STARTER.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL SEAL ALL RADIO ANTENNA CABLE HOLES. IN ADDITION, ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE RELAY/FUSE BOARD WILL BE CHECKED AND REPLACED IN THE CASE OF CORROSION.
NHTSA campaign 79V120000
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1977 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.