POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2010 Volkswagen GTI
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 53 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 663 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2010 | 1 | 1 |
| Feb 2010 | 2 | 3 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 4 |
| Sep 2010 | 2 | 6 |
| Oct 2010 | 3 | 9 |
| Nov 2010 | 2 | 11 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 12 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 13 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 14 |
| Nov 2011 | 1 | 15 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 16 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 17 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 18 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 19 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 20 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 21 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 22 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 23 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 24 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 25 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 26 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 27 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 28 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 30 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 31 |
| Jun 2017 | 2 | 33 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 34 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 35 |
| Feb 2018 | 2 | 37 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 38 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 39 |
| Sep 2018 | 2 | 41 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 42 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 43 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 45 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 46 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 47 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 48 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 49 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 50 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 51 |
| Mar 2024 | 2 | 53 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine2334.3%
- Electrical913.4%
- Powertrain (other)913.4%
- Transmission57.5%
- Fuel system57.5%
- Brakes34.5%
- Driver assistance34.5%
- Airbags23.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Clockspring failure
In August 2015, VW launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clock spring. VW’s recall indicated that debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in the contamination and ultimately failure of the clock spring in 2010-2014 MY CC, Eos, GTI, Golf, Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Passat, and Tiguan models. The contamination of the clock spring by debris, such as human hair, can cause the flat ribbon cable to tear. This results in the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls. The clock spring is designed so that the flat cable inside will break with minimum force to prevent it from impeding movement of the steering wheel. The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag results in the immediate illumination of the air bag warning light and prevents the deployment of the front driver air bag in a collision of sufficient severity. A torn clock spring also causes audible grinding noises from the area of the steering wheel/driver air bag or steering column while steering. The failure of the clock spring does not impair vehicle control or drivability (steering, brakes, acceleration). In November 2017, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ17009 after receiving complaints that alleged the failure of the clock spring in the subject models. While the majority of these complaints involved vehicles excluded from the original recall, several complaints involved vehicles that had received the remedy for Recall 15V-483. On April 18, 2018, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis EA18003 after receiving additional complaints concerning the recall remedy and scope of Recall 15V-483. During the investigation, VW identified certain 2015-2018 MY vehicles that share a common steering wheel clock spring with the vehicles covered under Recall 15V-483. VW began using a different clock spring design starting with the 2019 MY Jetta. This new part is not compatible with previous model years due to the communication properties between the clock spring and the vehicle, including the air bag control module. In October 2018, VW released Warranty Extensions AWA-18-18 and VWP-18-11, which established a 15-year, unlimited mileage coverage for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring for vehicles included in the scope of Recall 15V-483. For certain 2010-2018 MY vehicles outside of the recall scope, a 10-year, 120,000-mile coverage was given. Vehicles repaired under these warranty extensions receive replacement clock springs at no charge to the consumer. In early 2023, VW updated AWA-18-18 (now AWA-23-01) and VWP-18-11 to upgrade certain vehicles and model years from the 10-year, 120,000-mile coverage to the 15-year, unlimited mileage coverage option. These warranty extensions cover vehicles with recall remedy failures as well as vehicles outside of the Recall 15V-483 scope that exhibited similar failures. In view of the circumstances, including the high detectability of the subject failure and warranty extensions issued by VW, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The seatbelt is failing as it does not retract back into its holder and I am uncertain as to how safe and effective it is. Note that I have not done anything to cause this damage to it, it is through use and time. Volkswagen Group should approve fixes to it without additional cost to the customer.
- NHTSA ID
- 11577383
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2024
under emergency braking at around 70mph all 4 wheels locked up and abs/traction lights illuminated on dash. Caused a minor accident and flat spot on all 4 tires. ABS did not work. This is a know recall for 2009 models of the same vehicle. I replicated the issue a second time at a slower speed on a secluded road with the same results. There are numerous complaints about the same situation on this and other model VW cars of this year all over the internet forums. The ABS module was diagnosed as defective by mechanic shop.
- NHTSA ID
- 11575395
- Incident
- Feb 7, 2024
About a month ago, while driving , the abs light, brake light and ESP light came on. After about 2 weeks of troubleshooting, a local mechanic troubleshot the issues to a faulty ABS module. After many phone calls with my local VW dealership I was able to set an appointment for a diagnostic. They determined " Diag ABS system no communication advised on replacement module". The module costing $2,886.04 in parts and labor. With the part not in stock and the dealership saying " no way of knowing when we'll get one in". Over 130,000 VW's same year and model have had this same issue and been recalled but for some reason my vehicle doesn't have a recall on this vin. Both the VW dealership and VW customer care refuse to do anything. I believe this vehicle like many others were missed or ignored during the recall. My vehicle brakes have been sticking and have locked on me once already in the last month while driving. It is a safety hazard to drive.
- NHTSA ID
- 11496218
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2022
Steering lock mechanism has broke twice. Key cannot be removed from steering lock causing it to run and not able to turn off. Once car eventually can be turned off or dies you can no longer remove the key or start the car.
- NHTSA ID
- 11471143
- Incident
- Jun 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started jerking and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11419311
- Incident
- May 1, 2021
- Mileage
- 67,000 mi
WHEN HOT TRANSMISSION IS GETTING STUCK! WHEN WARM I CANNOT GO ONTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTER IS IN R PUSHING THE GAS DOES NOT GET IT TO MOVE! ALSO WHEN DRIVING WILL D ON DASH BOARD WILL START BLINKING AND WILL NO LONGER SWITCH GEARS ACCELERATOR WILL GO INTO RED! I NEED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING! I HAVE READ ONLY THAT OTHER VW MODELS HAD RECALLS BECAUSE OF WIRES IT WAS SWITCHING TO N !I THINK THIS CAR IS ALSO HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND BE INCLUDED! IT DOES IT MORE ONCE THE CAR IS WARM AND SOME TIMES THE CHECK OIL PRESSURE IN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES! I HAVE READ ONLINE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND OR GET NEW CAR!
- NHTSA ID
- 11413320
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2020
- Mileage
- 90,000 mi
MY VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO FROM BEING IN DRIVE TO ACTING LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. AND WILL NOT MOVE OR GO ANYWHERE. AND THIS ALL HAPPENENED WHEN I WAS IN DR9VE DRVING DOWN THE ROAD.
- NHTSA ID
- 11399206
- Incident
- Jan 22, 2021
- Mileage
- 20,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT CALLED COX CHEVROLET INCORPORATED (2900 CORTEZ RD W, BRADENTON, FL 34207, (941)348-6417) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11395171
- Incident
- Feb 3, 2021
- Mileage
- 108,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
Adhesive to bond sensor to Radiator.
Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
ENGINE
Suggested fuel additive
This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
Differences between a leak and seepage
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 49.1 |
| 2023 | 6 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 29 | 6 | 0 | 55.1 |
| 2021 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 8 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2019 | 179 | 4 | 2 | 51.8 |
| 2018 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 61.7 |
| 2017 | 52 | 2 | 1 | 55.0 |
| 2016 | 67 | 4 | 1 | 58.0 |
| 2015 | 97 | 6 | 1 | 60.6 |
| 2014 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 55.5 |
| 2013 | 34 | 2 | 3 | 51.7 |
| 2012 | 40 | 2 | 3 | 52.9 |
| 2011 | 55 | 2 | 3 | 51.1 |
| 2010Viewing | 53 | 1 | 1 | 44.1 |
| 2009 | 167 | 2 | 1 | 50.0 |
| 2008 | 67 | 1 | 1 | 42.1 |
| 2007 | 77 | 1 | 0 | 36.5 |
| 2006 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 45.8 |
| 2005 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 53 | 1 | 1 | 48.4 |
| 2002 | 124 | 2 | 2 | 54.5 |
| 2001 | 74 | 2 | 2 | 57.7 |
| 2000 | 45 | 3 | 2 | 53.8 |
| 1999 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1998 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 39.3 |
| 1997 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 35.0 |
| 1996 | 9 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1995 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 58.2 |
| 1994 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.