I purchased a 2008 VW Rabbit, w/manual transmission, new during April of 2008. Since the first miles driven to today, there has been an intermittent fuel shutoff problem that results in a stall or a lurch that results in a near-stop. This occurs in low-speed, heavy traffic situations with trailing throttle (typically no brake application). Eventually this is going to cause me to be rear ended. I have complained to the dealership (paul clark VW - one of their technicians experienced it during a test drive) and they told me that other customers had complained about this but that VW of America said that there was no fix. I complained to VW of America and they told me that this was a part of the brake-assist program and despite my telling them that this was nonsense (because the brakes have no role in this because they are not touched when the problem occurs). I then complained to VW world headquarters in germany and they simply referred me back to VW of America with out comment. I then wrote to VW of America and VW germany and told them that if they don't remedy this problem that I would file this complaint with NHTSA and neither ever responded. I am convinced that the fuel management software that my manual transmission vehicle employs was written for VW's with automatic transmissions and the fuel shutoff is programmed deliberately to raise the average fuel economy of these vehicles. VW refuses to acknowledge this and refuses to fix it hence this complaint. I have since found identical complaints on several VW-interest forums on the web including carspace automatic forums and vwvortex forums, VW Rabbit owners club and edmunds.com. This is a disgrace and an example of a corporate irresponsibility. I need your help!

- Foxborough, MA, USA

Standard automatic Rabbit 2.5 coupe... stalls often during take off after warm up. Not completely, but powering down from 1500 normal idling RPM to about 5-700 as if it is going to quit. If I back off on acceleration, it recovers slowly. Very dangerous when turning in front of oncoming traffic. Drivers behind me can't tell I am stopping because my foot is not on the brake. But when it will not go forward I jam on the brake to keep from getting T-boned by oncoming traffic! happens primarily on left turns, but occasionally on straight acceleration. 60 or so times since taking the car in the early spring. Dealership says there is no problem with the car. Finally the report you show confirms a similar situation exists. I want this fixed!... updated 10/17/11

- Lake Mary, FL, USA