VehicleVerdict

2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Passat Wagon years?

Passat Wagon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted14 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 4 complaints2004: 9 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 14 complaints2008: 7 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 14 complaints
Passat Wagon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Passat Wagon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags321%
Electrical System321%
Engine321%
Fuel System321%
Steering214%

Does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V148000AirbagsMarch 6, 2018 · 363,713 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

17V509000Fuel SystemAugust 16, 2017 · 280,915 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TIMING CHAIN BROKE AT 69,000 MILES. OIL CHANGES WERE KEPT UP WITH CONSISTENTLY WITH CAR. ENGINE NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR CAR TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 13, 2017

“THERE WAS AN INTERRUPTION IN ELECTRICAL POWER FROM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THIS RESULTED IN THE FUEL PUMP RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, RESULTING IN A DRAINED BATTERY AND NO START CONDITION, OR CAUSE A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. TOOK THE CAR TO VW GARAGE WHO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 5, 2017

“TAKATA RECALL I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICE. I BRING IN TO THE KING VW TO HAVE IT DONE. BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN CLEARED BY NHTSA OR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY PAPERWORK ABOUT THIS. I KNOW THIS FROM CARFAX. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, FIRE OR SUCH, SPEED WAS 0 MPH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 23, 2018

“MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THE AIRBAG RECALL. AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED, THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED AND THE "AIRBAG ERROR" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T PART OF THE EARLIER CLOCKSPRING RECALL, BUT IT SHOULD BE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 19, 2018

“MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THE AIRBAG RECALL. AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED, THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED AND THE "AIRBAG ERROR" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS VEHICLE ISN'T PART OF THE EARLIER CLOCKSPRING RECALL, BUT IT SHOULD BE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 19, 2018

2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon — common questions

Is the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2010 Passat Wagon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (3 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints).

Does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.