Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1982 Rabbit Pickup.
The 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup represented Volkswagen's entry into the compact truck segment, built on the proven Rabbit platform that had already established a following for its efficient design and practical dimensions. This model year arrived with two documented recalls affecting the vehicle, while owner feedback from the period shows just five recorded complaints overall, with the fuel system on gasoline models emerging as the most frequently cited concern among that small sample. With a complaint count and recall activity that both remained modest relative to production volumes of the era, the 1982 Rabbit Pickup occupies a notably quieter position in the model's reliability record compared to other iterations within its generation.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 155.5 in |
| Overall width | 63.4 in |
| Overall height | 53.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 94.5 in |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Rabbit Pickup 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Rabbit S 3-door Hatchback 1.7L I-4 | 11.65 sec | 18.16 sec | 74 hp | FWD |
| 1981 | Rabbit LS 3-door Hatchback 1.7L I-4 | 11.60 sec | 18.30 sec | 74 hp | FWD |
| 1981 | Rabbit 5-door Hatchback 1.7L I-4 | 12.60 sec | 18.70 sec | 74 hp | FWD |
| 1983 | Rabbit GTI 3-door Hatchback 1.8L I-4 | 9.70 sec | 17.10 sec | 90 hp | FWD |
| 1983 | Rabbit GTI 3-door Hatchback 1.8L I-4 | 9.70 sec | 17.20 sec | 90 hp | FWD |
| 1983 | Rabbit GTI 3-door Hatchback 1.8L I-4 | 9.71 sec | 17.21 sec | 90 hp | FWD |
| 1983 | Rabbit GTI 3-door Hatchback 1.8L I-4 | 10.60 sec | 17.70 sec | 90 hp | FWD |
| 1980 | Rabbit 3-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4 | 12.10 sec | 18.90 sec | 76 hp | FWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup dominate in one area — the fuel system, gasoline, 3 of 5 reports (60%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the fuel system, gasoline are also the target of recall 85V-015 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, gasoline pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 5 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 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 THROTTLE SHAFT OF THE CARBURETOR MAY CRACK AND EVENTUALLY BREAK AT THE THREADED HOLE FOR THE THROTTLE PLATE CONNECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF THE THROTTLE SHAFT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE THROTTLE SHAFT… Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE IF THERE IS NO CRACK IN THE THROTTLE SHAFT. INSTALL A NEW CARBURETOR WITH REINFORCED THROTTLE SHAFT IF A HAIRLINE CRACK HAS DEVELOPED IN THE SHAFT.
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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.