2010 Volkswagen Passat Airbags Problems
Airbags account for 45 of 163 complaints (28%) on the 2010 Volkswagen Passat, tied to three separate NHTSA recalls including the Takata driver inflator recall. Owners reported crashes with non-deployment and long recall-repair delays, with a median failure mileage of 62,500.
- Airbags complaints
- 45
- 28% of 163
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 62,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including a broadside collision and a deer-strike crash.
- Multiple owners describe long waits for Takata driver frontal airbag inflator replacement parts under recall campaign 16V078000, with dealers unable to say when parts would arrive.
- Some owners report an illuminated airbag warning light along with a loud noise when turning the steering wheel while reversing, traced to a faulty spiral cable or clock spring.
- One owner reported a persistent airbag warning light after the clock-spring recall repair, attributed to a faulty passenger occupant detection switch.
- A few owners report confusion or denial from dealers about whether a recall applied to their vehicle, delaying repairs.
When 2010 Volkswagen Passat airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 6, 2015, latest Nov 15, 2021.
Airbags recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Airbags complaints by Passat model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA lists 45 airbag-related complaints for the 2010 Passat, which is 28% of the 163 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
- Yes. Three recalls cover airbags on the 2010 Passat: campaign 15V483000 (steering wheel clock spring cover), 16V078000 (Takata driver frontal airbag inflator replacement), and 18V148000 (alternative driver airbag inflator).
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2010 Passat?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for airbag complaints on the 2010 Passat is 62,500 miles.
- Did the 2010 Passat airbag issues cause any injuries or crashes?
- NHTSA data shows 4 crashes and 2 injuries linked to airbag complaints for the 2010 Passat, with no fires reported.