2010 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and problems

4 recalls and 852 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta.

4
recalls
852
owner complaints
23
complaints mentioning a crash
5
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

Electronic stability control (ESC) · Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA campaign 16V913000 · reported December 20, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 135,683 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
The risk
A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Fuel system, diesel

NHTSA campaign 11V490000 · reported October 3, 2011 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 168,275 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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 may 2009 through september 2011, and model year 2010-2012 audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from september 2009 through september 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and rpm conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.
The risk
Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.
The fix
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 owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA campaign 10V621000 · reported December 10, 2010 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 228,236 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 jetta, new beetle, new beetle convertible, model year 2009 jetta sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines. The jetta, jetta sportwagen, and rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line.
The risk
If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 31, 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 09V333000 · reported August 20, 2009 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 16,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between september 2008 and august 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the direct shift gearbox (DSG) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "depress brake pedal" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.
The risk
The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
The fix
Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 8, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system

Why driving at 55mph the high pressure fuel pump grenaded sending metal shrapnel through the engine causing an immediate engine shut off while still driving. Entire fuel system has shut down as result

May 21, 2025 · Service brakes

When you turn on the vehicle, the abs and traction light illuminates. The light that says "BRAKE" also illuminates and the vehicle beeps 3 times. When driving the vehicle, the red light "BRAKE" flashes constantly, while the ABS and traction control light remains illuminated but no flashes. The dealership says it's a…

Jul 18, 2024 · Electrical system · 160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving or parked, the door locks, gas cap sensor, and tailgate were not working as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to…

Jul 2, 2024 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 90,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, ESC, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the…

Jan 11, 2024 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 260,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the brake light, ABS, and Electronic Stability Control warning lights remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted regarding the failure. The contact…

Jetta model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2007 4201117
2008 418844
2009 6889318
2010 4852235
2011 7607279
2012 5500246
2013 4518123

Across all years, the 2009 Jetta has the most complaints (889). All Volkswagen Jetta years →

Questions

Does the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, the most recent reported on December 20, 2016 (Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?
Owners have filed 852 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (233 complaints), followed by fuel system, diesel (166).
How many 2010 Volkswagen Jetta complaints mention a crash or fire?
23 of 852 complaints report a crash and 5 a fire; 11 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 8, 2025.