Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and became aware that the sunroof had opened independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, another vehicle abruptly stopped in front of the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed but failed respond on the wet road. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle. The air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,647.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While the contact's son was driving 10 MPH, he crashed into another vehicle. The air bag warning indicator illuminated, but they did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the body shop at an independent dealer and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 50 MPH, the contact crashed into a tree and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. ..updated 10/28/15 updated 12/10/15.
Starting in May 2015 we began to notice that the passenger airbag light would not always seem to work correctly when my son sat there. I just figured it to be a problem with the light in the dash. My son weighing in the 60 pound range, I knew it should not of been on when he was there. Sometimes it said off sometimes it did not. I always felt this was an indicator light issue not thinking a car this new with such low miles could have problems with the airbag. On August 23, 2015 as I was driving alone I noticed the car was not cooling down so I was looking to see if I forgot to turn something on when I noticed that the A/C was indeed on, and not working, as well as the airbag light in the instrument cluster was illuminated. There are multiple problems. Dealer diagnostics verified my concerns. Found dtcs present for pods module. Pods module needs replaced. …
We purchased this car two days ago for our 18 yo daughter and I did not notice the airbag light on. It was when she pulled into the driveway and tried to honk the horn that our attention was drawn to the light. It is at the dealer today having the clock spring repaired and costing $450.00. As I began to research the problem, I became aware that in 2015 vw had a recall on the clock spring of the cc and passat. I asked the dealer if this car would be covered under the recall and he said the Jetta was not under any recall. My reply, "hmmm, I guess it's just a coincidence." I had read that there was an investigation into the recall failing and that possibly there would be an expansion of the vw's being recalled for this issue which does include the Jetta 2010-2014. The dealer told me if that did happen, I would be able to get all of the expense reimbursed. …
Airbag light went on about two months ago. I know that many vws, including 2010 jettas like mine, were subject to recall for clock spring. I believe my car should be included in that recall and this should be fixed free of charge by vw. Called dealership and they said it's not and that I'd have to pay the $125 diagnostic fee to have it checked out. Have read many stories of how you are receiving my complaints from vw owners about this problem. Recall needs to be expanded. Light is on all the time. Called vw customer care and they could not have been less helpful. Called yesterday and asked to speak with a supervisor. They said there no supervisor would be available until the following afternoon. Please expedite I'm very concerned about my safety and driving this vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 5 MPH the contact was involved in a crash. The vehicle was struck on the front and rear drivers side door. The seat and curtain air bags deployed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle from the scene. A police report was filed. The contact went to the emergency room because he suffered a slight loss of hearing, sensitivity, and ringing in the left ear caused by the deployment of the curtain air bag. The emergency room physician advised the contact that within a few days he would feel relief. The contact continued to experience the symptoms and notified a doctor who diagnosed the symptoms to be caused by tinnitus and hyperacusis. The contact continued to receive treatment. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
The day I received the email from the NHTSA for the clock springs failing on my make and model of vehicle my airbag light came on. At first I didn't think anything of it and then I lost my horn and radio controls on my steering wheel. Since I had just read the investigation that is been initiated I knew that is what it was. It is the only part that powers the steering wheel. The campaign number for that is 15V483000. It still drives just as it always has but I don't have any steering controls and if I were to get in an accident hard enough to deploy air bags my drivers side would not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact was driving 50 MPH when he was involved in a three vehicle crash. The contact crashed into the rear of one vehicle and another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belts failed to restrain the contact. The contact was thrown into the steering wheel and sustained injuries to the head and chest. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the air bags were not to deploy because the sensors were not activated. The failure mileage was 32,000.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Airbag complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the model year's 852 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to air bags 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.