MYRModel Year Report

2010 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
2010 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:52:24.399Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
163
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 163 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 163 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 163 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2010: 163 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013749
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202119
202213

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

28% · 45 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I had a wreck on oct. 28 2013 on 1-26 in USA South Carolina. A deer ran into my car(2010 Passat) passenger side and right front of car. No airbags came out. My insurance coming fixed car at vw garage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-04

Air bag did not deploy in highway accident

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-03-21

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and structure

Engine

25% · 41 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted while the vehicle was parked and turned off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-25

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Power train

21% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl*-the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Passat wagon. The transmission shuttered as the vehicle slowed and went from a higher gear to a lower gear. The vehicle also lurched forward when the contact took she took her foot off the brake.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-04-28

I purchased a 2010 vw Passat wagon with dsg in dec. '09. Since the beginning I noticed a strange quivering/shutter as it gears down from 2ND to 1ST gear. I took it in at 1500 miles and a service coordinator told me it was "Normal".

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-19

Fuel/propulsion system

15% · 25 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated when driving at approximately 25-30 MPH the engine stalled. The contact stated that the fire emitted from under the hood and within a moment the engine was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-04-30

Electrical system

13% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing horn and ignition.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  2. R
    2016-01-15Air bags15V483000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. 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 →

  4. I
    2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  5. 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 →

  6. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  7. R
    2018-06-26Fuel system, gasoline17V509000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 34 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V483000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V509000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2010 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat 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.