2010 Volkswagen Passat Owner Complaints

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 immediately after smelling that the car suddenly stalled out in the middle of a busy intersection and the engine would not start back up. I had to push it to a gas station parking lot across 3 lanes of traffic. I lifted up the backseat and found that the fuel control module was overheated and melting on top of the fuel pump so I carefully and properly disconnected it from the vehicle. The next day I had the vehicle towed to Lokey Volkswagen in Clearwater, FL. Today 3/14/2026 They did the recall repair and told me my vehicle is safe to drive. Today 3/14/2026 I drove the car 1 mile from the dealership when the exact same thing happened again the car stalled out, and I had to carefully maneuver to the shoulder of hwy us 19 s narrowly missing vehicles in the other lanes. The vehicle was then towed back to lokey Volkswagen. It is pretty clear that the issue was not resolved, and that this fuel control module failing may have affected other parts of the fuel system/wiring and or the fuel control module failed again. I have pictures of the fuel control module, and I gave the initial melted/failed fuel control module to the service department and they took it. The dealership service department is stating that this may be to do something other than the recall repair and that I may be liable for the diagnostic and towing charges. This is a very serious safety issue that almost cost me to get in accidents on the highway twice. I feel that they (Volkswagen) needs to be held responsible for rectification and to find out if there is a connection between this recall and the continuing failure of the vehicle to operate safely.

NHTSA ID

11724256

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

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 no direct influence with VW or dealerships even if a warranty issue because all parties are independent contractors and all they are able to do is try and help. My name has not been transferred to registration because of smog requirements so you may call me [XXX] my telephone number is [XXX] my case# with VWoA is [XXX], I myself have learned to deal with defects but should this matter be more widespread which I cannot find out because the last case regarding the sensors was sealed in an agreement made by the California ARB, EPA and VW and Audi through a settlement signed in December 2021. Once again my hands are tied from taking much more action but I believe your department whether is able to enforce this matter or not should at least investigate and issue warnings to advise people of what can happen so if they can even at own cost seek appropriate repairs before more damages accrued. Also if this sensor is effecting more models and manufacturers an appropriate temporary fix should be seeker since no long term solutions are available at this time INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11621633

Incident

Oct 13, 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 was illuminated. The contact stated that the strong fuel odor had caused her to have headaches while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module had failed, causing the fuel pump to leak. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start and was undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to their location for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) had already been completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

NHTSA ID

11579270

Incident

Feb 25, 2024

Mileage

148,000 mi

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 engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the thermostat. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.

NHTSA ID

11567604

Incident

Jan 19, 2024

Mileage

61,000 mi

Replaced cracked fuel pump 3 times. Electrical problem to fuel pump ; also all were cracked from pressure. Thx !! Dr.

NHTSA ID

11535981

Incident

Jul 13, 2022

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 the car, as the handle is electrical and gets disconnected, possible causing another safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11535909

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

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. Did a lot of research because I had the starter replaced about 2 weeks before and knew it couldn't be the starter and also had bought a new battery when I had the starter replaced as well, so knew it wouldn't be the battery. After a lot, I mean a lot of research online, finally came to the decision it was the timing chain tensioner was faulty. When I went to replace the tensioner for the timing chain, I took my camera and put it in the cylinder heads and found out that there was 2 broken valves in the number 3 piston. One was broken and sideways in the piston and the other just broken. I'm not sure whether a rod has gone through the bottom of the head or not, couldn't get my camera to go that far down. So now I have no vehicle what-so-ever to drive back and forth to work. My wife had to resign from her job because she had no way to get there everyday and I have to pay someone gas money weekly to pick me up and bring me home from work so needless to say, we are currently struggling, can't pay our bills because my wife cannot get a job and now I have to figure out how to repair this damage that should have been made a recall for these volkswagens because by the looks of things, there are over 100 people that have had this same problem. An engine is going to be between $4,000 and $6,000 to repair and I have no way to fix this at that price. So now I am probably going to have to just junk the car.

NHTSA ID

11534164

Incident

Mar 17, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11503514

Incident

Jan 18, 2023

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. It is very unsafe to have these lights not work and to have a faulty wiring.

NHTSA ID

11486836

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11440541

Incident

Nov 15, 2021

In 2018, my VW clockspring/airbag was replaced under the VW recall. Last week the airbag clockspring failed, causing my air bag pop out. Luckily I was not driving. There is no current recall on the recalled replacement and this is unacceptable. I took my VW back to the dealer that did the work and they stated that there was no recall and they would not replace. It is incredibly dangerous that this has happened. I am very angry that VW's replacement would not hold up for the lifetime of the car nor will they honor their parts.

NHTSA ID

11437451

Incident

Oct 11, 2021

I got all types of misfires and fuel pump and electrical problems the car almost has me in car wrecks every time I drive it the speed thermometer jumps up and down causing me to have no push in the gas I have to turn the car on and off on the highway

NHTSA ID

11429717

Incident

Jan 4, 2020

faulty timing chain tensioner caused catastrophic engine failure. resulting in ~$4000.00 repair cost. i have read about alot of other Volkswagens having this same issue. VW has redesigned this part several times, i did not recive a TSB stating there was an issue with an internal component of my engine even though VW knows this issue will result in engine failure.

NHTSA ID

11427926

Incident

Jul 23, 2021

The contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving slowly towards a stop sign, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and drove forward causing another vehicle to crash into the driver’s side of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. Neither the local dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000. The vehicle was destroyed.

NHTSA ID

11423625

Incident

Aug 29, 2017

Mileage

83,000 mi

108K MILES. GOT OFF OF WORK AND I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE. I STARTED THE VEHICLE THE BATTERY LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING I JUST DID A QUICK LOOP AND PUT IT RIGHT BACK INTO THE PARKING SPOT THAT I WAS IN. I TOOK IT INTO A SHOP THEY FOUND THAT THE STARTER WAS GETTING WAY TOO HOT. THEY TOOK THE STARTER OUT AND PUT IN A NEW ONE AND WHEN THEY WENT TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE SEIZED

NHTSA ID

11394790

Incident

Feb 3, 2021

Mileage

108 mi

THERE IS A GAS LEAK BY REAR TIRE. THE MECHANICS THAT CHANGED MY TIRES SAID IT WAS WATER. WENT FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO IT BECAUSE IT'S A GAS LEAK. THEY CAN'T TELL WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.

NHTSA ID

11385729

Incident

Dec 30, 2020

Mileage

156,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, I CAN STOP SHUT IT DOWN AND IT RUNS FINE FOR A PERIOD. THE PROBLEM IS UNPREDICTABLE, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, BECAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR.

NHTSA ID

11385499

Incident

Dec 9, 2020

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER DAUGHTER HAD HER FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AFTER THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SCHUMACHER VOLKSWAGEN OF WEST PALM BEACH (3001 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409) WHERE THREE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS), 17V509000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), AND 18V148000 (AIR BAGS). DESPITE THE RECALL REPAIRS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER THEN TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT AN UNKNOWN PART NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED AND THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE DISCOVERY, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACKED TO THE DEALER AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11355341

Incident

Aug 24, 2020

THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND FOUND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPED

NHTSA ID

11350844

Incident

Jul 29, 2020

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND GOING UPHILL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AN AUDIBLE SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT WAS THEN UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF CLARKSVILLE (406 E LEWIS AND CLARK PKWY, CLARKSVILLE, IN 47129) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID

11339307

Incident

May 15, 2020

Mileage

92,000 mi

MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS FALLEN TO AN ISSUE MANY OTHERS HAVE FALLEN. IT APPEARS THE TIMING-CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE TIMING-CHAIN TO JUMP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VALVES CAN BEND AND ALSO RUIN THE CYLINDERS. THE ERROR CODE IS P0016. VW WEST BROAD IS RECOMMENDING A REPAIR OF $5,100 DOLLARS. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH VW OF AMERICA THEY WILL NOT COVER AS IT IS OUTSIDE OF THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY 100,000 MILES OR DECEMBER OF 2019. MY CAR IS APPROXIMATELY 111K MILES AND 6 MONTHS PAST THE DATE. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE SO I COULD NOT BE PROACTIVE IN FIXING THE TENSIONER. THEY EVEN REDESIGNED THE TIMING-CHAIN TENSIONER BECAUSE THE OLD ONE IS FAULTY. I AM LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME FROM MY DAY TRIP THIS PAST WEEKEND AND THAT THE ISSUE DID NOT TAKE PLACE WHILE DRIVING. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN. IT TOOK 4 OR SO SECONDS TO START WHICH WAS ABNORMAL, BUT PROCEEDED TO RUN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BUT I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED HOME. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I TRIED STARTING THE CAR TO BRING TO THE SHOP, BUT IT NO LONGER STARTS AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED. AT THIS POINT, I AM PREPARED TO SEND IT TO THE JUNK YARD BECAUSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS BEYOND THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE CAN BE FOUND AT THIS LITIGATION WEBSITE WHERE THEY SETTLED. HTTPS://WWW.TIMINGCHAINLITIGATION.COM/ *TR

NHTSA ID

11329326

Incident

Jun 14, 2020

Mileage

111,000 mi

PURCHASED THE CAR AT 62K ENGINE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT AT 72K I'M VERY FRUSTRATED THEY ARE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH ME ON ANYTHING AND NOBODY IS HELPING. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328576

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

Mileage

72,000 mi

AS I DRIVE THE CAR "HESITATES". ITS ALMOST AS IF IT ACCELERATES AND DECELERATE ON ITS OWN. AS I LOOK ONLINE I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS ITS A FUEL PUMP BUT AS I CALL THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATE THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328093

Incident

Jun 9, 2020

Mileage

114,930 mi

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN MY CAR STARTS TO SHAKE AND THEN THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON ENGINE STARTED FLASHING. I'VE READ A BUNCH OF THREADS WITH VOLKSWAGEN HAVING THIS ISSUE. [XXX] VEHICLES. YOU WERE FUNDED BY [XXX] HITLER NO WONDER. Y'ALL HAVE TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY ONCE IN A WHILE FOR ALL THE SHADY [XXX] Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO PULL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11326432

Incident

May 28, 2020

Mileage

4 mi

VW FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS DEFECTIVE IN THEIR VW CC 2.0 T ENGINE. THIS PART CAN GO OUT AT ANYTIME. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED YOU CAN BE FATALLY INJURED IF THIS TIMING CHAIN GOES OUT. IT HASN'T HAPPENED BUT I WAS WARNED. WITH THE SOLUTION OF A 3800.00 REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11323419

Incident

May 5, 2020

Mileage

109,899 mi