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.
The worst 2010 Volkswagen GTI problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine23
- Transmission14
- Electrical9
- Fuel system5
- Brakes3
- Driver assistance3
- Airbags2
- Seat belts2
- Visibility2
- Lights1
- Steering1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Volkswagen GTI
Recalls 1
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 09V333000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen GTI
Defect investigations
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. VWâs 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. the federal safety agency 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
EA18003
Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Volkswagen GTI 663
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement
- Adhesive to bond sensor to Radiator.
- Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
- 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
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
2010 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-24 | 31-32 | 25-27 |
What 2010 Volkswagen GTI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
The vehicle I purchased was under used dealer warranty engine and transmission I went ahead and did almost $4000 in repairs to this car to make it drive somewhat normal from the original jerky start from after purchase (no it did not drive like this when I test drove) I attempted to get a new transmission because vw recommended this to remedy the issue but when I tried to contact the dealer he told me that I should stop beating on it I have come across a lot of research showing there is an open recall on this car for the sudden shifts and bucking I already had the intake manifold repaired by vw but I need help getting the transmission recall that went unnoticed by volkswagen its a real problem in this year and marque
I was driving on the freeway mesa,az at the rate of speed 72 MPH and the car just shut off, I put it in neutral and coasted through traffic, I was able to get it from the fast lane to shoulder, my heart was racing, I put the car in park try to start it didn't start for a few minutes, drove home few miles away. With no problems. Next morning wouldn't start. With 59,500 miles I was stocked. Had the codes read coils, spark plugs, so I changed them. Still didn't start. 3 day later, (she's garage kept) and started up. Well in the last 6 month's it has done the same thing 9 times on the freeway, 4 times in the city. Took it to vw dealership they read codes p0087 witch is low pressure fuel pump, fuel pump control module, fuel filter. So buying all new parts, I got fuel pump control module & fuel filter at vw dealership, fuel pump over the internet all new parts. The vw parts manager told me that vw has had problems with control module on other models, I think he said that they were recalled on jetta's, golf's and vw has updated the fuel pump control module on my 2010 vw gti 2.0 turbo 3or4 times. I asked how do I know if I'm buying updated version or not, he pointed out the different part numbers and said your good to go. I youtube video of r & r fuel pump, fuel pump control module, and fuel filter. My car ran great for 20.5 miles, starting it up two days later at home, I'm letting it warm up the motor for a few minutes and just quit again wouldn't start up. Then I find out there's a updated & upgraded fuel pump control module that's has 32 amps. Going to the fuel pump, wires, device, clips for $699.00 after I spent $500.00 on the parts installed. My point is that someone who is not smart enough, strong enough, and road conditions vary may not get to the side of the road with no power steering, power brakes, everything on a car quits. Hope nobody gets hurt/ killed.
Compare the 2010 Volkswagen GTI
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Questions about the 2010 Volkswagen GTI
Is the 2010 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
Owners have filed 53 complaints about the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, close to a typical GTI model year.
What is the 2010 Volkswagen GTI year score?
The 2010 Volkswagen GTI scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen GTI: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Volkswagen GTI?
Engine and cooling, with 23 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is transmission (14).
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen GTI have?
1 recall, covering power train.
What year does the Volkswagen GTI have bad engine?
The Volkswagen GTI model years with the most engine complaints are 2019 (139 complaints), 2015 (40 complaints) and 2010 (23 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Volkswagen GTI get?
Official estimates for the 2010 Volkswagen GTI range from 25 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-24 city and 31-32 highway.
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