The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle and became aware that the sunroof had opened independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,000.
2010 Volkswagen Jetta airbags problems
31 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 63,975. 12 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 31
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 63,975
- crashes
- 12
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Side/window1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen Jetta airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related 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
What 2010 Volkswagen Jetta owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fault on anti locking brake (ABS), indicated by illumination on dash, ESC light on and flashing brake light on. Dealer was notified that issue as listed in safety recall 16v‑913 applies to other vehicles not listed on VIN range. This is a huge safety concern and needs to be addressed as others have indicated the same issue exists on their models not covered by VIN recall. Customer service (vw) was called, per dealer direction and customer service at vw does not know how to read the VIN codes or can tell me which VIN code makes the faulty ABS module applicable or not applicable to my vehicle.
Hit head on by train and air bags did not deploy.
Airbag light went on about two months ago. I know that many vws, including 2010 jettas like mine, were subject to recall for clock spring. I believe my car should be included in that recall and this should be fixed free of charge by vw. Called dealership and they said it's not and that I'd have to pay the $125 diagnostic fee to have it checked out. Have read many stories of how you are receiving my complaints from vw owners about this problem. Recall needs to be expanded. Light is on all the time. Called vw customer care and they could not have been less helpful. Called yesterday and asked to speak with a supervisor. They said there no supervisor would be available until the following afternoon. Please expedite I'm very concerned about my safety and driving this vehicle. Have been loyal vw customer since 1998 but given this experience and the company's recent ethical malfeasance, am not surprised the company is struggling to stay afloat.
I was driving on the expressway when a car on the shoulder pulled out without seeing me. I went to honk my horn and it didn't work. I luckily swerved into the next lane without hitting the car in the next lane. I found out it's not just my horn but the cock spring needs replacing. Nothing on my steering wheel works now and my airbag warning light stays on.
We purchased this car two days ago for our 18 yo daughter and I did not notice the airbag light on. It was when she pulled into the driveway and tried to honk the horn that our attention was drawn to the light. It is at the dealer today having the clock spring repaired and costing $450.00. As I began to research the problem, I became aware that in 2015 vw had a recall on the clock spring of the cc and passat. I asked the dealer if this car would be covered under the recall and he said the jetta was not under any recall. My reply, "hmmm, I guess it's just a coincidence." I had read that there was an investigation into the recall failing and that possibly there would be an expansion of the vw's being recalled for this issue which does include the jetta 2010-2014. The dealer told me if that did happen, I would be able to get all of the expense reimbursed. It is infuriating to me that there is a known failure of the clock spring in vw's and the company is not being responsible about it. My daughter would not be safe with a car that has a failing air bag. It is morally unconscionable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator inadvertently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called volkswagen of palm springs (67909 e palm canyon dr, cathedral city, ca 92234 (855) 996-5429) and was informed that a recall was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 97,500. *ln updated 7/19/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the air bag and brake indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,800.
Tl* the contact owned a 2010 volkswagen jetta. While the contact's son was driving 10 MPH, he crashed into another vehicle. The air bag warning indicator illuminated, but they did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the body shop at an independent dealer and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.
"takata recall" I was driving on scott street, when another driver ran the red light on the intersection and hit my car on the passenger side towards the back passenger door, and the airbag didn't deploy. I informed vw, they did a diagnostic text on my car and their findings was that the airbag did what it was supposed to do. I didn't take it any further.
Questions about the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta airbags
Does the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the airbags of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2010 Volkswagen Jetta airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 63,975 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad airbags?
The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most airbags complaints are 2002 (108 complaints), 2001 (97 complaints) and 2003 (77 complaints).
Other 2010 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Fuel system 303Electrical 233Engine 188Transmission 111Brakes 55Acceleration 30Driver assistance 23Lights 21Body 19Locks 14Visibility 14Steering 13Suspension 13Seat belts 11Tires 8Seats 3Wheels 2
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