MYRModel Year Report

2010 Volkswagen Golf

● Typical for this model
2010 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:51:57.724Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
70
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel system, diesel

31% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2010 70 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1994 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2010 70 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2018 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2001 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2010 70 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023

2010: 70 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199443
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200274
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201070
2011110
201248
201343
201412
2015131
201685
2017117
201829
201962
20206
20217
202281
202311

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel system, diesel

31% · 22 reports
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, 2012-03-13

Air bags

16% · 11 reports
CRASH
Show 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, 2011-12-17

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, 2018-03-28

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel/propulsion system

14% · 10 reports
Show complaint excerpts

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, 2012-06-22

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-07

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing engine.

Engine

10% · 7 reports

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2010-08-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-02-08 High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (HPFP)
  2. I
    2011-02-07Engineering analysisClosed 2015-03-27 High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
  3. I
    2011-08-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-12-02 Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
  4. R
    2011-11-15Fuel system, diesel11V490000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-02-14Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic16V913000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-03-10Air bags16V078000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-03-16Air bags18V148000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, diesel: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11V490000 · Fuel system, diesel
  • Recall 16V913000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Golf have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.