Problems · by component

2010 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system problems

236 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta cite electrical system, 27% of all 875 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
236
27% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2024Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11603178
“1) IGNITION SWITCH - yes 2) car wont turn off, key is stuck and wont allow to be turned off. this is dangerous for car to be left on. 3) yes - common problem with VW 4) yes by mechanic 5) no warnings, typically ignition needs jiggling to start and turn off ignition but this is the first time it has refused to budge.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2023Electrical systemODI 11546256
“The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated he was unable to start the vehicle temporarily. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to start the vehicle within 30 minutes and drove to his destination. The contact stated that he had experienced the failure a total of 4 times. The contact took the vehicle to the independent mechanic, where the steering column lock assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 255,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2023Electrical systemODI 11523505
“2010 Jetta, manual transmission Key gets stuck in ignition and wont cut car off. Eventually got key out, ignition locked wont let key turn car on. This is a known vw issue with over 860 complaints on this exact issue between 2009-2013. VW refuses to do recall, even though this is a manufacturing parts issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2023Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11501984
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11500428
“The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated she was unable to start the vehicle, due to a battery shortage. The contact stated that the warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The battery had been replaced three-time. The contact also stated that the rear lights failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Additionally, while driving 75 MPH, the sunroof detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no injury. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2022Electrical system, VisibilityODI 11455485

Showing 6 of 236 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.