Most common 2010 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of the 852 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by model year
Best Jetta years: 2018, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. Compare all years →
2010 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (4)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
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.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, diesel
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…
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: 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…
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta:
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
By letter dated October 3, 2011, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall to address a defect in approximately 168,275 model year (MY) 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf, and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with the 2.0L TDI Common Rail Clean Diesel engine (NHTSA Recall No.
High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and Volkswagen (VW) have received a total of 160 complaints and field reports alleging incidents of engine stall and/or loss of power that appear to be related to high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and MY 2010 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 vehicles equipped with TDI clean diesel engines.Approximately half of…
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta…
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information,…
What 2010 Volkswagen Jetta owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 303 →
I was driving 75 miles an hour on a major interstate and the car stopped accelerating while I was driving.(major safety issue) I was able to get to the side of the road and the car died and would not start again. The glow plug warning light started flashing as this was happening. I was able to get it towed to a repair shop or they told me the high-pressure fuel pump failed and that it was a catastrophic failure because there was metal from the pump through the whole fuel line.
Im thinking electrical problems lights windshield wipers air locks windows locks dont work when you turn the car off lights dont go out! there is 6 recalls on this car i need to find out if they have been fixed. It was bought for my daughter and can not give it to her like this
Electrical system all 233 →
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated she was unable to start the vehicle, due to a battery shortage. The contact stated that the warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The battery had been replaced three-time. The contact also stated that the rear lights failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Additionally, while driving 75 MPH, the sunroof detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no injury. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle temporarily. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to start the vehicle within 30 minutes and drove to his destination. The contact stated that he had experienced the failure a total of 4 times. The contact took the vehicle to the independent mechanic, where the steering column lock assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.
Engine & cooling all 188 →
I was driving down a busy road when I saw smoke coming out from under my hood of the car. I immediately pulled over onto a side street and popped the hood. The engine was engulfed in flames. I then pulled my panicked 4 year old daughter out of her car seat and took her across the street. We then called 9-11 and the sheriff's department and fire department showed up to put out the fire. I had my car towed to a mechanic where he says the fire was caused by a fuel line. There is a recall for the same year and model for my car but it is not for my VIN# even though it's the same cause as my car's fire!
Engine of my car caught fire after a short drive, luckily my daughter was able to pull it on our drive way and move away safely before engine caught fire. We had to call fire department to put off the fire.
2010 Volkswagen Jetta engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed manual | FWD | 29 / 39 / 32 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 29 / 37 / 32 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 30 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?
Based on 852 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Jetta rates avoid: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Jetta at the same age. It is one of the Jetta years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?
The fuel & propulsion system — 303 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the electrical system (233) and engine & cooling (188).
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, the most recent from December 20, 2016 (electronic stability control (esc)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Jetta?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2010. See the full Volkswagen Jetta years comparison.
At what mileage do 2010 Volkswagen Jetta problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 45% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.