Vehicle speed control: cables (Volkswagen)
Vehicle recall 81V-012. NHTSA received VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC’s report on Jan 28, 1981.
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The short answer
NHTSA received VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC’s report on Jan 28, 1981. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 26, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THE 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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Vehicle speed control: cables.
What should you do?
THE 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.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE 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.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 110,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
- Volkswagen Sciroccoand 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here
- Volkswagen Rabbitand 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 26, 2026 and checked Oct 26, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 26, 2026.