1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel
Unverified
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 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel is a 52-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and front-wheel drive.
It makes 52 horsepower at 4,800 rpm.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Hatchback |
| Powertrain | Diesel |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 1.6L Diesel Inline-4 |
| Displacement | 1.6 L |
| Horsepower | 52 hp @ 4,800 rpm |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | FWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed Manual |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel 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
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 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
Feb 23, 1982 · STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
A LOCK NUT WHICH SECURES THE TIE ROD TO THE INNER BALL JOINT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURELY FASTENED ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ALONG POOR ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALER WILL CHECK THE LOCK NUT FOR ADEQUATE TIGHTNESS, CORRECTING WHERE NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign 82V016000
Sep 9, 1981 · STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS DUE TO AN IMPROPER MACHINE SET-UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Remedy: THE TIE ROD ENDS WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 81V106000
May 15, 1981 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A RESTRICTOR VALVE INTO THE FUEL FILLER PIPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign 81V058000
1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1981 Volkswagen RABBIT
Owner Complaints
1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Volkswagen RABBIT (1 mention a crash, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.