Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 dealership says it's a fault ABS module and Hydraulic Pump Assembly. I researched and found a Volkswagen safety recall code: 45F2 (published March 17, 2017) that seems very applicable to my vehicle. Safety concerns include but are not limited to the following: loss of vehicle control, failure to brake properly, auto engagement of brakes not by the driver, etc. All safety concerns may cause my life or the life of another individual.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. On several occasions, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stopped without warning. On one occasion, the vehicle failed to accelerate. As a result, the contact stated that a warning indicator illuminated, indicating to depress the brake pedal and accelerate again. On another occasion, while attempting to reverse the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to operate and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to vorderman Volkswagen (located at 5811 cross creek blvd, fort wayne, in 46818 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not offer assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
I was pulling into a parking space with a new 2010 wolfsburg Jetta I had my foot on the brake when it accelerated unexpectedly over a decorative divider. The car did not respond to repeated attempts to stop it. I used two feet and was literally off my seat trying to control the car. It finally stopped. I was lucky no pedestrians or myself and passenger was injured. Vw supposedly checked the car and said it is operational; however at the first they said many codes came up but no one would tell me what the codes were. This car had 345 miles and I think it is unsafe to drive the computer over rode what I was wanting the car to do. Updated ivoq 09/08/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated the distance between the accelerator pedal and brake pedal were too close and that the wrong pedal May be depressed. The contact called ralph thayer Volkswagen (34501 Plymouth rd, livonia, mi 48150, [phone]) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While shifting the vehicle between the park, reverse, and drive positions, the vehicle made an abnormal noise without warning. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,793.
The car lost power while going uphill and would only reach speeds of about 20mph on a 40mph road. The car check engine light had come on about a month before. I was told there was a problem with the high pressure fuel pump and it would need to be replaced but the car would be safe to drive until it stopped powering up to top speed.
While parking a Jetta 2010, the car was almost stopped then rapidly accelerated. Brake was on, but the car accelerated extremely fast, could not stop the vehicle. The vehicle slammed into a brick wall. The airbags did not deploy.
This vehicle is a diesel. As I was pressing the accelerator to increase my speed from a construction zone speed to 55 MPH the engine light came on, the car began to sputter and acted as if no fuel was being injected to the engine, as I pulled off the road the car kept running but if I pressed the accelerator nothing would happen, no movement on the RPM indicator. I was able to get the car off the highway via the exit ramp. It started up and immediately the warning message came across the vehicle information screen to service immediately and I can't recall the exact wording but basically saying damage could occur. Car was towed for service. Car was fixed on 4/24/2012 replacing the accelerator pedal sensor and the engine speed sensor. Prior to this major malfunction, the car had died while in traffic twice at a red traffic light, twice while on the freeway. …
Driving at 40 miles per hour, as I accelerated to pass on the left, the car went into limp mode and accelerated in slow motion, it took about 1/2 mile to get up to 45 MPH. Then I noticed the dashboard light came on while I was still driving, now attempting to get on to the interstate. Accelerating at abnormally slow speeds, it took about a mile to get up to 60. I then determined from the manual that the light was a "glow plug" light. I called the dealer and they informed me I could continue driving the car, but I should bring it to them right away. The car drove for approximately 6 miles, at which time the red battery light came on, and the car completely died. I had to cross two lanes of travel in order to get to the shoulder of the road. …
Vw Jetta sportswagen tdi 2010 53,000 miles. On aug 7, 2013 at approximately 16:20, while stopped at a traffic signal, engine begins to run slightly roughly, but not sufficient to be of concern. Accelerate from traffic signal towards onramp to i195. Suddenly engine dies (before onramp). Coast car into parking lot at side of road. Total time from beginning of rough idle to engine shutdown was about 10-15 seconds. Had failure occurred on interstate i195 or i95 during rush hour, this would have been a dangerous condition -- possible stranding of car in a travel lane or dangerous crossing in front of faster moving traffic to reach shoulder. Called for tow and car towed at about 19:00 to vw dealer - west broad Volkswagen in richmond va. Dealership is closed so leave car at dealer. Spouse drives from home about 100 miles to pick me up. Reach home by 23:30. …
Acceleration complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the model year's 852 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Volkswagen Jetta acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Volkswagen Jetta acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.