YearToAvoid

2010 Volkswagen Passat Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2010 Volkswagen Passat has a complaint index of 59 and ranks 8th worst out of 18 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It carries 163 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and its top problem area is airbags (28% of complaints).

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
59/100
#8 of 18 Passat years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
163
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 31 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2010 Volkswagen Passat problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags45 (28%)
  2. Engine42 (26%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain34 (21%)
  4. Fuel System33 (20%)
  5. Electrical System22 (13%)
  6. Other13 (8%)
  7. Steering13 (8%)
  8. Brakes6 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body4 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Takata driver frontal airbag inflators can rupture or fail to deploy properly in a crash, sometimes years after the original recall notice.
  • Some owners report the engine stalling at low speed (around 25-30 mph) followed by a fire starting under the hood.
  • Owners with the DSG dual-clutch transmission describe a quivering or shuddering feeling as the car shifts down from 2nd to 1st gear, which worsens into a clunking or lurching sensation when releasing the brake.
  • One owner reported unintended acceleration while approaching a stop sign, leading to a collision.
  • A chrome bezel around the shifter was reported to reflect sunlight into the driver's eyes under overhead sun.
  • Daytime running lights were described as illuminating only the headlights, giving a false impression that rear and side lights are also on at night.
2010 Volkswagen Passat complaints: complaints filed per quarter122010 Q12012 Q32014 Q32016 Q22018 Q12019 Q42021 Q4
163 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q1; peak 2017 Q1 (12).

2010 Volkswagen Passat recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

  2. NHTSA 17V509000Aug 16, 2017Fuel System280,915 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.

  3. NHTSA 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Airbags659,493 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat →

2010 Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Passat years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Caution53168422
2009Caution71146422.5
2010Caution59163425
2011Best12160—
2012Avoid884831125.5

All Volkswagen Passat years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2010 Passat a complaint index of 59, ranking it 8th worst among 18 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Passat years.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
Airbags lead with 28% of complaints, followed by engine issues at 26% and transmission/powertrain problems at 21%, based on NHTSA owner complaints.
Does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat have a Takata airbag recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall campaigns 18V148000 and 16V078000 covering driver's frontal airbag inflator replacement, plus 15V483000 for a steering wheel clock spring cover.
How many recalls does the 2010 Passat have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat, covering airbags and the fuel pump control module.
What year Volkswagen Passat should I avoid?
Among other years, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 82, 88, 100, 94, and 76, all higher than the 2010 model's index of 59.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.