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2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is airbags. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical Passat Wagon model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
9
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
521
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Steering
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Steering
    2

Recalls 2

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported March 6, 2018 · 363,713 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 18V148000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported August 16, 2017 · 280,915 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 17V509000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon 521

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 521 bulletins for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

What 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 6, 2019 · Airbags, Fuel system · 34,000 miles · FL

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Feb 2, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 74,355 miles · FL

MANUFACTURER RECALL 20AE the federal safety agency RECALL 17V509

Filed Nov 14, 2018 · Engine · 88,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Oct 30, 2018 · Airbags · 64,834 miles · MD

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 the federal safety agency 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

Filed May 21, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 85,600 miles · CA

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.

Filed Apr 5, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · WI

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.

Filed Nov 14, 2017 · Steering · 116,102 miles · MI

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.

Filed Nov 14, 2017 · Engine · 77,748 miles · MI

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.

Filed Oct 21, 2017 · Engine · 69,000 miles · PA

Timing chain broke at 69,000 miles. Oil changes were kept up with consistently with car. Engine now has to be replaced in order for car to drive. Vehicle was stationary when it stopped working.

Compare the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

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Questions about the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

Is the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon reliable?

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon, 1.5 times a typical Passat Wagon model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon?

Airbags, with 3 complaints. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have?

2 recalls, covering air bags and fuel system, gasoline.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 18V148000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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