NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Most complaints involve fuel system, diesel (22) and air bags (11). The EPA rates it 25–32 mpg combined.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Golf model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 64 |
| 2000 | 100 |
| 2001 | 125 |
| 2002 | 81 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2010 | 70 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 44 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 228 |
| 2016 | 152 |
| 2017 | 242 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 82 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 11 |
“2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN JULY 2013, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, FOR A DIAGNOSES, THEY INFORMED HER, THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED AND SENT METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER, THE AC WASN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IT WAS TAKING 10-15 MINUTES TO GET COLD. IT WAS DETERMINED THE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RECEIVER AND EXPANSION VALVE. *JB”
“Shortly after acquiring this car, an airbag light appeared on the dashboard after my sister adjusted the passenger side seat. The airbag indicator showed that it was off afterward, despite my sister being adequate weight to require the airbag. Continued problems ensued when the seat would show that it was occupied (airbag on and seatbelt chime when unbuckled, even though there was no one in the seat). Now this happens sporadically, and it is unknown whether the airbag will be operational or not whenever I start the car. Often, turning the car off then back on will allow for the airbag to show it is on for a passenger. I have seen in other locations online that this is an issue that has affected other people online with this model of car.”
“I FILED A VEHICLE BUYBACK WITH VOLKSWAGENS VEHICLE BUYBACK PROGRAM IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. I WAITED AND CALLED BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND IF IT WAS GOING TO GET BOUGHT BACK. VOLKSWAGEN KEPT TELLING ME MY DOCUMENTS WERE INVALID AND I HAD TO RE-DO THEM EACH TIME AND SEND THEM BACK AND WAIT LONGER FOR A RESPONSE. ON 08/23/2017, THEY MADE ME RESET MY CLAIM BECAUSE THEY SUPPOSEDLY "FILED ME IN THE WRONG CATEGORY". AFTER THAT, ALL MY DOCUMENTS FINALLY GOT ACCEPTED, AND HAVE BEEN "UNDER REVIEW" FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS. THEY HAVE BEEN REVIEWING MY DOCUMENTS AND HAVEN'T BEEN MOVING FORWARD WITH MY CASE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WAITING TO BE TURNED IN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS IT MIGHT HAVE ON ME AND MY SURROUNDINGS BUT VOLKSWAGEN IS BEING NEGLIGENT AND IGNORING MY CLAIM, EVEN THOUGH IT IS 100% VALID BECAUSE I HAVE OWNED MY CAR SINCE 2014. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS CLAIM WITH CARE AND HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT. IT HAS BEEN A VERY HARD STRUGGLE FOR ME AND I AM JUST DREADING TO GET THIS OVER WITH.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,950 | 318 |
| Golf Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 39 | 32 | $2,950 | 315 |
| Golf Auto (S6), 5 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Golf Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 70 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, diesel (22), air bags (11), fuel/propulsion system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Volkswagen Golf at 25–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).