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2010 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

41 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,000.

owner complaints
41
of this car's complaints
25%
typical mileage
94,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

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 Passat engine problems in other years

1990199520002005201020152022

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Volkswagen Passat engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 14Won't start 13Check engine light 10Engine failure 9Loss of power 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2010 Volkswagen Passat owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Engine, Steering · CA

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)

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 148,000 miles · MD

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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V509000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) had already been completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Engine · WV

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.

Filed Aug 19, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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

Filed Aug 5, 2021 · Engine · AZ

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.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 108 miles · UT

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

Filed Dec 29, 2020 · Engine · 104,000 miles · AL

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.

Filed Aug 24, 2020 · Engine · 12,000 miles · SC

The car wouldn't start and found out the timing chain jumped

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Engine · 111,000 miles · VA

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/

Filed Jun 12, 2020 · Engine · 72,000 miles · WI

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.

Questions about the 2010 Volkswagen Passat engine

Does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat have engine problems?

Owners have filed 41 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Volkswagen Passat, 25% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2010 Volkswagen Passat engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Volkswagen Passat engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Passat have bad engine?

The Volkswagen Passat model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (153 complaints), 2002 (148 complaints) and 2006 (130 complaints).

Other 2010 Volkswagen Passat problems

Airbags 45Transmission 34Fuel system 33Electrical 21Steering 13Brakes 5Lights 4Acceleration 3Body 3Visibility 3Suspension 2Wheels 2Driver assistance 1Seat belts 1Seats 1Tires 1

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