Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 Rabbit.
The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit was a front-wheel-drive, four-door hatchback produced on Volkswagen's Group A platform and powered by a range of inline-four engines, and as one of the earlier iterations in the model's North American run, the 1979 model year falls within a period of the Rabbit's lifecycle that, according to complaint data compiled from 2006 through 2009, saw relatively moderate-to-elevated consumer concerns—with 62 complaints logged in 2009 representing the peak of reported issues during that span and 13 in 2006 representing the trough—suggesting that while the 1979 Rabbit was part of a generation that maintained the model's reputation for economical and practical transportation, it was also subject to the same durability and component concerns that would surface more frequently as the model aged and accumulated mileage in the consumer fleet.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 155.1 in |
| Overall width | 63 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in |
| Curb weight | 1836 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Rabbit of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4 | 12.10 sec | 18.90 sec | 76 hp | FWD |
| 1980 | L Convertible 1.6L I-4 | 12.80 sec | 18.80 sec | 76 hp | FWD |
| 1980 | Diesel Deluxe 5-door Hatchback 1.5L Diesel I-4 | 22.90 sec | 22.40 sec | 48 hp | FWD |
| 1977 | Diesel 5-door Hatchback (Performance Pack) 1.5L Diesel I-4 | 16.80 sec | 20.50 sec | 48 hp | FWD |
| 1981 | LS 3-door Hatchback 1.7L I-4 | 11.60 sec | 18.30 sec | 74 hp | FWD |
| 1981 | 5-door Hatchback 1.7L I-4 | 12.60 sec | 18.70 sec | 74 hp | FWD |
| 1982 | S 3-door Hatchback 1.7L I-4 | 11.65 sec | 18.16 sec | 74 hp | FWD |
| 1975 | 3-door Hatchback (Performance Pack) 1.5L I-5 | 13.10 sec | 19.60 sec | — | FWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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…
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.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.