1979 Volkswagen Rabbit Specifications

These are standard specifications for the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit, not necessarily specifications for the vehicle(s) in the photo(s).
Engine Location : Front
Drive Type : Front Wheel
Production Years for Series : 1974 - 1982
Price : $4,220-$44,840
Weight : 1775 lbs | 805.126 kg
Inline 4
Displacement : 1457 cc | 88.9 cu in. | 1.5 L.
Power : 71 BHP (52.256 KW) @ 5800 RPM
Torque :73 Ft-Lbs (99 NM) @ 3500 RPM
Bore : 3.1 in | 80 mm.
Stroke : 2.9 in | 73 mm.
Compression : 8.0:1
Main Bearings : 5
Cylinder Block : Cast-iron
Cylinder Head : Aluminum
Inline 4
Displacement : 1471 cc | 89.8 cu in. | 1.5 L.
Power : 48 BHP (35.328 KW) @ 5000 RPM
Torque :73 Ft-Lbs (99 NM) @ 3500 RPM
Bore : 3.1 in | 80 mm.
Stroke : 2.9 in | 73 mm.
Compression : 8.0:1
Main Bearings : 5
Cylinder Block : Cast-iron
Cylinder Head : Aluminum
Transmission:
4 Manual

Total Volkswagen Production for 1979 : 129,779
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Manufacturer

FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

NHTSA Campaign ID06E018000
SummaryCERTAIN 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.'
ConsequenceBRAKE HOSE RUPTURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RemedyFOREIGN 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.
NotesCUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO SAFERCAR.GOV.

Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

Manufacturer

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

NHTSA Campaign ID79V120000
SummaryDUE 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.
RemedyTHE 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.
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; STARTER RELAY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE STARTER COULD BE ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE COULDMOVE IF THE TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED.THIS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS STANDING IN THE PATH OF THE MOVING VEHICLE.

Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Manufacturer

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Mfr Report Date19740401
NHTSA Campaign ID83V116000
SummaryBRAKE 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.
RemedyTHE 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.
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; BRAKE LINES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAILURE OF ONE BRAKING CIRCUIT OF THE DUAL SYSTEMINCREASES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.FAILURE OF BOTH MAY CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES.NOTE: OWNERS ARE CAUTIONED TO HAVE VEHICLES WITH FAILED BRAKES TOWED TO THEDEALER. INDICATION OF FAILURE IS EVIDENCED BY SOFT RESISTANCE OF THE PEDAL ORTRAVEL OF THE PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR.

Component

STRUCTURE:BODY

Manufacturer

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Mfr Report Date19740901
NHTSA Campaign ID80V035000
SummaryON 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.
RemedyDEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SEAL THE RADIO ANTENNA HOLES AND REPLACE CORRODED COMPONENTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER..
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; ANTENNA CABLE OPENING.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DISABLED AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENTCOULD OCCUR IF TRAFFIC IS PRESENT.

Component

STRUCTURE:BODY

Manufacturer

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Mfr Report Date19750901
NHTSA Campaign ID81V113000
SummaryCORROSIVE 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.
RemedyVEHICLES 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.
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; RELAY PANEL; FUEL PUMP BYPASS MODIFICATION.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: CORROSION, ELECTRICAL FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY,AND RESULTING FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP WOULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING. A STALLEDVEHICLE COULD PRESENT A TRAFFIC HAZARD AND AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.

Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Manufacturer

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Mfr Report Date19750901
NHTSA Campaign ID83V117000
SummaryTHE 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.
RemedyDEALER 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.
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FUEL INJECTION.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEM; ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE FUEL PUMP STOPS FUNCTIONING, THE ENGINE WILLSTALL OR FAIL TO START. A STALLED VEHICLE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THEHIGHWAY.

Component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Manufacturer

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Mfr Report Date19760301
NHTSA Campaign ID81V012000
SummaryTHE 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.
RemedyTHE 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.
NotesVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FUEL-INJECTED GASOLINEENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEM; ACCELERATOR CABLE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE ABILITY TO CONTROL ENGINE SPEED COULD BECOMEIMPAIRED WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT MAYRESULT.NOTE: ANY ABNORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL OPERATION OR IRREGULAR PEDAL OPERATIONSHOULD BE REPORTED TO DEALER.

Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated June 2024
1979 Averages
Avg. Household Income : $17,500
Avg. Home : $58,100
Avg. Gallon of Gas : $0.86

Popular frequently asked questions include:

What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit?
How many 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit were produced?
How powerful was the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit? Was the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit popular? Was the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit expensive? What was the fuel economy of the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit?

Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit? A: The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit has a wheelbase size of 94.50 inches.

Q: What is the length of the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit? A: The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit has a length of 155.30 inches.

Q: What is the width of the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit? A: The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit has a width of 63.40 inches.

Q: How much did the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit cost when new?A: The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit cost approximately $4,220 to $44,840 (USD) when new.

Q: What is the bodystyle of the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit? A: The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit was a Hatchback.

Q: How many vehicles did Volkswagen produce in 1979? A: Volkswagen produced 129,779 automobiles in 1979.

Q: What engines did the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit have? A: The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit had the following engine options: Inline 4 (1457 cc | 88.9 cu in. | 1.5 L.) with 71 BHP (52.256 KW) @ 5800 RPM and 73 Ft-Lbs (99 NM) @ 3500 RPM
  • Inline 4 (1471 cc | 89.8 cu in. | 1.5 L.) with 48 BHP (35.328 KW) @ 5000 RPM and 73 Ft-Lbs (99 NM) @ 3500 RPM
  • Q: What transmission did the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit have? A: The 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit had a 4 speed Manual gearbox.

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