RoadVitals

2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Feb 6, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 6, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 515 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags321.4%
  • Electrical321.4%
  • Engine321.4%
  • Fuel system321.4%
  • Steering214.3%

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

2 campaigns 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.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mar 6, 2018
363,713 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 69Q9View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 16, 2017
280,915 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20AEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

AirbagsFuel system
Filed Feb 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 18V148000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCHUMACHER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (561-935-4690, LOCATED AT 3001 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, SUITE C, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECENT FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.

NHTSA ID
11174727
Incident
Feb 3, 2019
Mileage
34,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2019

MANUFACTURER RECALL 20AE NHTSA RECALL 17V509

NHTSA ID
11173682
Incident
Feb 2, 2019
Mileage
74,355 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2018

2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. 88K MILES. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AS I WAS DRIVING IT IN THE CITY. WITHIN ONE HOUR OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARING I STOPPED THE CAR. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART 30 MINUTES LATER IT REFUSED TO START. PROMPTLY HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. VW DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAYS: TIMING IN THE ENGINE SLIPPED DUE TO SLACK IN TIMING CHAIN. COMPRESSION MEASURED LOW TO NONE. INCORRECT TIMING HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO VALVES AND CAMSHAFT. VEHICLE WILL NEED A CYLINDER HEAD, CAMSHAFT, TIMING CHAIN & TENSIONER TO START. THEY SAY THIS PORTION WILL COST ME $5,700 PLUS TAX. ALSO A POSSIBILITY IT WILL NEED AN ENGINE BLOCK IF THE CYLINDER WALL IS DAMAGED IN ADDITION. IN MY RESEARCH I'VE FOUND MANY VW OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR REOCCURRING PROBLEM THAT VW IS AWARE OF. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID
11151418
Incident
Nov 9, 2018
Mileage
88,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 30, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11144113
Incident
Oct 23, 2018
Mileage
64,834 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 21, 2018

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 WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SAID THERE WOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL SOON, BUT I SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIR AND CLAIM MONEY BACK ONCE RECALL WAS ACTIVE, WAS TOLD THIS WOULD BE EARLY PART OF 2018. STILL NO RECALL AND OVER $400 OUT OF POCKET. CAR STALLED AND CUT OUT AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS DUE TO THIS FAULT, VW WERE VERY AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT AS YET NO RECALL MADE, DESPITE VW ASSURING ME THERE WOULD BE ONE.

NHTSA ID
11097100
Incident
Dec 5, 2017
Mileage
85,600 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 5, 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.

NHTSA ID
11083491
Incident
Mar 19, 2018
Steering
Filed Nov 14, 2017

STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEVICE FAILED. INSTRUMENT PANEL MESSAGE CENTER BEGAN DISPLAYING "STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECTIVE", WITH ILLUMINATION OF A WARNING LAMP, AND WOULD IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN ENGINE UPON INITIAL START-UP (OR ON OCCASION, WOULD NOT ALLOW VEHICLE TO EVEN BE STARTED). VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT ALL TIMES. ON A SECOND OR THIRD TRY, SOMETIMES WITH A SMALL TWIST OF THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE WOULD START AS NORMAL AND WAS DRIVEABLE. VW RECALLED VEHICLES FOR THIS DEFECT, BUT IT APPEARS THE RECALL EXPIRED FEB 2013. THIS CONTINUES TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND I'M PUZZLED HOW OR WHY THIS RECALL WAS ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. COST TO REPAIR WAS OVER $600.

NHTSA ID
11046157
Incident
Oct 24, 2017
Mileage
116,102 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2017

PCV VALVE FAILED, AT SOME POINT PRIOR TO JAN 11, 2016 AND 77,748 MILES. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OTHER INDICATION OF THE FAILURE EVER OCCURRED UNTIL THE PCV VALVE FAILURE CASCADED INTO FAILURE OF THE ENGINE REAR MAIN SEAL (BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION), RESULTING IN A MASSIVE OIL LEAK. BASED ON A WEB SEARCH, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON SITUATION, NOT ONLY FOR THE VALVE FAILURE, BUT THE METHOD IN WHICH IT FIRST BECOMES APPARENT TO THE VEHICLE OWNER (REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE). COST TO REPAIR WAS OVER $1900. PCV VALVE FAILED AGAIN AT SOME POINT PRIOR TO OCT 24, 2017 AND 116,102 MILES. SIMILAR TO THE FIRST EVENT, NO INDICATION OF THE FAILURE OCCURRED UNTIL THIS CASCADED INTO AN UPPER TIMING COVER SEAL FAILURE. COST TO REPAIR WAS OVER $600. MY RESEARCH CLEARLY INDICATES VW PCV VALVES ARE KNOWN TO BE TROUBLE-PRONE. VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON PCV VALVES TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES ON CERTAIN VW MODELS (INCLUDING PASSATS) UP THROUGH 2008 MODEL YEAR. MY EXPERIENCE, AND THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER OWNERS, CERTAINLY SUGGESTS 2009 AND 2010 VW PASSATS STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND ONE HAS TO WONDER WHY THESE MODEL YEARS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE OUTRAGEOUS COSTS THAT OWNERS ARE LEFT TO DEAL WITH.

NHTSA ID
11046156
Incident
Jan 11, 2016
Mileage
77,748 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

VOS-26-42

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

V1718062017813_24

ENGINE

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

TT 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

V6919012010479_17

AIR BAGS

Inquiries

V1719012012855_81

ENGINE

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

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

Volkswagen Passat Wagon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010Viewing920
2009620
2008620
2007113047.0
2006020
2005000
2004600
2003300
2002700
2001200
2000000
1999000
1998000
1996000

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.