Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Owners filed 875 complaints about the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA between Sep 2009 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (236).
Complaints
875
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
24
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system236
- Fuel system, diesel166
- Fuel/propulsion system127
- Engine119
- Power train111
- Engine and engine cooling71
- Service brakes50
- Air bags37
- Vehicle speed control31
- Fuel system, gasoline31
- Electronic stability control (esc)22
- Exterior lighting20
- Structure19
- Equipment17
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
8
75
135
81
89
143
121
54
45
38
35
9
19
8
9
4
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 75 |
| 2011 | 135 |
| 2012 | 81 |
| 2013 | 89 |
| 2014 | 143 |
| 2015 | 121 |
| 2016 | 54 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 38 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
236 reports3 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving or parked, the door locks, gas cap sensor, and tailgate were not working as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to several unknown recalls; however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Fuel system, diesel
166 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE SOUNDED VERY ROUGHLY AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
127 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Why driving at 55mph the high pressure fuel pump grenaded sending metal shrapnel through the engine causing an immediate engine shut off while still driving. Entire fuel system has shut down as result”
Engine
119 reports2 fires
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER ONTO A SIDE STREET AND POPPED THE HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I THEN PULLED MY PANICKED 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND TOOK HER ACROSS THE STREET. WE THEN CALLED 9-11 AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE SAYS THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL LINE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL FOR MY CAR BUT IT IS NOT FOR MY VIN# EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME CAUSE AS MY CAR'S FIRE!”
Power train
111 reports3 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly shifted into neutral(N). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V333000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,900.”
Engine and engine cooling
71 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT PREVIOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,208. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN UPDATED 05/05/15”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.