2010 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Jetta years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 852 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. That ranks 2nd out of 32 Jetta model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (233 complaints, 27%), typically at around 67,000 miles. Complaints mention 23 crashes, 5 fires, 11 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 852owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 23complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2010 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 233 | 27% | 67,000 | “hands free” (15%) | $1,050 |
| Fuel System, Diesel problems | 166 | 19% | 31,216 | “fuel pump” (42%) | $11,800 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 122 | 14% | 72,010 | “high pressure fuel” (38%) | $8,550 |
| Engine problems | 117 | 14% | 65,592 | “glow plug” (15%) | $3,000 |
| Power Train problems | 111 | 13% | 43,000 | “dsg transmission” (12%) | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 71 | 8% | 13,252 | “sportwagen tdi” (7%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 46 | 5% | 83,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 43 | 5% | 75,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 31 | 4% | 63,975 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 31 | 4% | 27,385 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 30 | 4% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 21 | 2% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 19 | 2% | 74,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 19 | 2% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 17 | 2% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 14 | 2% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 13 | 2% | 79,048 | — | — |
| Suspension | 13 | 2% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 11 | 1% | 55,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 11 | 1% | 30,645 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 | 1% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 8 | 1% | 16,750 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 6 | 1% | 81,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 0% | 18 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 0% | 76,500 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 0% | 100 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 0% | 72,500 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 0% | 83,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | 68,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2010 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from may 2008 through september 2011, model year 2010-2012 volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from may 2009 through september 2011, and model year 2010-2012 audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from september 2009 through september 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and rpm conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.
Risk: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and audi will notify owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 jetta, new beetle, new beetle convertible, model year 2009 jetta sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.
Risk: If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (dsg) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "depress brake pedal" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.
Risk: The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure (EA18003) — opened Apr 18, 2018, still open.
- Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage (PE11023) — opened Aug 2, 2011, closed Dec 2, 2011, led to recall 11V490000.
- High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (EA11003) — opened Feb 7, 2011, closed Mar 27, 2015.
- High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP) (PE10034) — opened Aug 26, 2010, closed Feb 8, 2011.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Why driving at 55mph the high pressure fuel pump grenaded sending metal shrapnel through the engine causing an immediate engine shut off while still driving. Entire fuel system has shut down as result
When you turn on the vehicle, the abs and traction light illuminates. The light that says "BRAKE" also illuminates and the vehicle beeps 3 times. When driving the vehicle, the red light "BRAKE" flashes constantly, while the ABS and traction control light remains illuminated but no flashes. The…
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving or parked, the door locks, gas cap sensor, and tailgate were not working as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who…
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, ESC, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating…
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the brake light, ABS, and Electronic Stability Control warning lights remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted regarding the…
Other Volkswagen Jetta years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jetta | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 Jetta | 30 | 2 |
| 2024 Jetta | 45 | 0 |
| 2023 Jetta | 43 | 0 |
| 2022 Jetta | 43 | 1 |
| 2021 Jetta | 69 | 4 |
| 2020 Jetta | 54 | 6 |
| 2019 Jetta | 549 | 11 |
| 2018 Jetta | 31 | 2 |
| 2017 Jetta | 160 | 6 |
| 2016 Jetta | 161 | 4 |
| 2015 Jetta | 194 | 7 |
| 2014 Jetta | 387 | 4 |
| 2013 Jetta | 517 | 4 |
| 2012 Jetta | 500 | 5 |
| 2011 Jetta | 607 | 7 |
| 2010 | 852 | 4 |
| 2009 Jetta | 889 | 6 |
| 2008 Jetta | 188 | 4 |
| 2007 Jetta | 201 | 4 |
| 2006 Jetta | 580 | 4 |
| 2005 Jetta | 248 | 4 |
| 2004 Jetta | 231 | 2 |
| 2003 Jetta | 456 | 2 |
| 2002 Jetta | 702 | 5 |
| 2001 Jetta | 668 | 6 |
| 2000 Jetta | 439 | 4 |
| 1999 Jetta | 349 | 6 |
| 1998 Jetta | 192 | 2 |
| 1997 Jetta | 54 | 1 |
| 1996 Jetta | 31 | 1 |
| 1995 Jetta | 220 | 4 |
See all Volkswagen Jetta problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.
Similar Volkswagen models
Embed this 2010 Volkswagen Jetta badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners most often report electrical system, fuel system, diesel, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 233 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Jetta model years, the 2010 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.