2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Steering (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Passat Wagon model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2018-03-06 · campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2017-08-16 · campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (520)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Service Brakes 2026-08-27 · V4622022067177_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
repair or replace information
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the issue: da 0019 - hotfix 12-v battery test(s) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Showing the 6 most recent of 520 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-02-06 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 34,000 mi“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 nhtsa campaign numbers: 17v509000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 18v148000 (air bags). the vehicle was towed to schumacher automotive group (561-935-4690, located at 300…”
2019-02-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 74,355 mi“manufacturer recall 20ae nhtsa recall 17v509 …”
2018-11-14 · Engine · 88,000 mi“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. co…”
2018-10-30 · Air Bags · 64,834 mi“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 nhtsa 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…”
2018-05-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 85,600 mi“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 safet…”
2018-04-05 · Steering“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.…”
2017-11-14 · Steering · 116,102 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, somet…”
2017-11-14 · Engine · 77,748 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 situati…”
2017-10-21 · Engine · 69,000 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.