Volkswagen · Passat · 2010
2010 Volkswagen Passat
4
Recalls
163
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat has 4 recalls and 163 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: air bags (34 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2010 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 5546
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is air bags with 34 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2010 Volkswagen Passat currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 163 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are air bags (34), power train (23), engine (23).
- Vehicle
- 2010 Volkswagen Passat
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 163
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2010 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 5546
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 18V148000March 06, 2018
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 17V509000August 16, 2017
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 16V078000February 10, 2016
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 15V483000August 04, 2015
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
163 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 11, 2026
My 2010 Volkswagen CC became completely inoperable because of the active fuel pump control module recall (NHTSA 17V509). The vehicle stalled and nearly caused an accident. The check engine light came on just before I noticed a burning smell coming from the backseat of my car imme...
Preview excerpt
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Oct 13, 2024
I purchased a used vehicle but have found out the oxygen sensor is feeding false error codes to the main OBC causing leaks into driver compartment causing engine to stall while auto in motion and most importantly causing steering wheel to lock, have spoken with VWoA but they have...
Preview excerpt
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
Feb 25, 2024
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. The check engine warning light wa...
Preview excerpt
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Jan 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The check en...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Aug 1, 2023
As the trunk hatch opens and closes, the wiring to the hatch wears down, frays, and then shorts or breaks. This killed our rear view camera, which is a safety issue. This also can cut off light to the license plate. The rear hatch also cannot then be opened from the rear of th...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 18, 2023
I was in my car driving , as soon as I go for a turn my car stalled on me infront of everyone , almost causing a wreck.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 13, 2022
Replaced cracked fuel pump 3 times. Electrical problem to fuel pump ; also all were cracked from pressure. Thx !! Dr.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Jul 1, 2022
There is a short in the wiring for the tail lights the short in the wires also effects the trunk wiring. The design of the wiring in the trunk bends the tail light wires and wears them out so now there is a short in the tail light, reverse light , fog light and the trunk release....
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
Mar 17, 2022
Drove the car to and from work that day with no problems. Also, went back to work a 2nd side job that evening with no issues. Got home, shut the car off and when my wife and I went out to go to work the next morning at 5 a.m., the car wouldn't start at all. Wouldn't even click. D...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
CRASHNov 15, 2021
The car was hit broadside on the passenger side front door, spun around and hit head in to a power pole. With all this happening none of the airbags deployed.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 163 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2010 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Volkswagen Passat Years
2011 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2010 for complaint and recall shifts.16c2009 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2010 for complaint and recall shifts.4r152c2012 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2010 for complaint and recall shifts.11r480c2008 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2010 for complaint and recall shifts.4r174c2013 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2010 for complaint and recall shifts.9r746c2007 Volkswagen PassatCompare this year against 2010 for complaint and recall shifts.7r273c
More 2010 Volkswagen Models
2010 Volkswagen JettaAnother 2010 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.5r875c2010 Volkswagen CCAnother 2010 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.4r242c2010 Volkswagen RoutanAnother 2010 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.2r240c2010 Volkswagen TiguanAnother 2010 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.2r109c2010 Volkswagen EosAnother 2010 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.2r69c2010 Volkswagen GolfAnother 2010 Volkswagen option for same-year comparison.4r69c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat have?
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has received 163 owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat are air bags (34 reports), power train (23 reports), engine (23 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.