DecodedCars2009 Volkswagen Rabbit
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Hatch
- Engines
- 2.5L 5-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 165.7 in
- Curb weight
- 2,974 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Overview
The 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is a compact car offered with a 2.5L 5-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 166 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,974 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 30 highway), 8% better than the 2009 compact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2009
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Rabbit — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Rabbit →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Hatch | 165.7 in | 69.3 in | 58.3 in | 101.6 in | 59.8 / 58.3 in | 2,974 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | 2.5L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | +8% | $2,800 | 370 |
| Rabbit | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 24 | +8% | $2,800 | 370 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Honda Civic | 42 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2009 Toyota Prius | 46 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2009 Mazda 3 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Ford Focus | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 20, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V913000 · 135,683 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Dec 10, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V621000 · 228,236 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
- Risk
- IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Not every 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 38 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 24 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 95,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Rabbit years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Rabbit | 24 | 165.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 7 |
| 2007 Rabbit | 22 | 165.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 23 |
| 2006 Rabbit | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →