2010 Volkswagen Golf
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 41 |
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 18 |
| 1999 | 64 |
| 2000 | 88 |
| 2001 | 116 |
| 2002 | 73 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 69 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 129 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2017 | 115 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
32% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 22 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
**************NOTE: THIS IS A DIESEL ISSUE.******************** DIESEL HIGH PRESSURE PUMP FAILED (HPFS) AT 39,793 MILES. THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALER FOUND METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE FUEL FILTER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120313
16% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN CAR REAR ENDED A TOWED VEHICLE. THE TOWED VEHICLE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH AND THE VW GOLF SPEED WAS 70-75 MPH. THE GOLF'S FRONT-END WAS DESTROYED (ALONG WITH IT'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND WAS IMMOBILIZED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111217
I FILED A VEHICLE BUYBACK WITH VOLKSWAGENS VEHICLE BUYBACK PROGRAM IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. I WAITED AND CALLED BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND IF IT WAS GOING TO GET BOUGHT BACK.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180328
14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 10 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
I FILED A VEHICLE BUYBACK WITH VOLKSWAGENS VEHICLE BUYBACK PROGRAM IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. I WAITED AND CALLED BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND IF IT WAS GOING TO GET BOUGHT BACK.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180328
FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN FUEL FILTER HOUSING WHICH WILL LEAD TO THE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE HPFP AND COULD BECOME A POTENTIAL HAZARD ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120622
UPON CHANGING MY FUEL FILTER, A LARGE AMOUNT OF METAL FLAKES WERE DISCOVERED IN THE FUEL HOUSING. THEY SEEMED TO BE LINKED TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. VW HAD TO REPLACE DUE TO A FAILURE STARTING IN THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. *JS
NHTSA ODI report, 20120607
10% of complaints: engine — 7 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
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
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. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY O
Campaign 11V490000 — check if this car was fixed
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. These repairs will be made free of charge.
Campaign 16V913000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 16V078000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V148000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2010 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel system, diesel issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V490000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V913000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V148000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2010 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Volkswagen Golf is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is fuel system, diesel, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Golf have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.