2010 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 875 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 24 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipDec 20, 2016
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.
A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 16V913000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, dieselOct 3, 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 11V490000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 10, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 10V621000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionAug 20, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.
THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 09V333000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Sep 8, 2014
TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR 40,000 MILE MAINTENANCE/TUNE UP. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO TELL ME I NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKE PADS. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW THE LEFT BRAKE PAD CAN BE ALMOST GONE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED WHILE THE OTHER BRAKE PADS HAVE 80% OF WEAR LEFT. I ASKED ABOUT THIS AND THE MANAGER SAID THEY JUST DO THAT SOMETIMES.REALLY? ONE BRAKE PADS WEARS TO ALMOST NOTHING BUT THE OTHER THREE ARE STILL GOOD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY VOLKSWAGEN IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 2, 2014
DRIVING ON 2ND LANE OF FREEWAY. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER - ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON DASHBOARD ACCOMPANIED BY BELLS AND DINGS. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD - FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC NOT HEAVY. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING HOWEVER NO FORWARD MOVEMENT WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR PEDAL - ENGINE JUST REVVED. TURNED CAR OFF THEN RESTARTED. WARNING LIGHTS STILL FLASHED BUT WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND START ROLLING - VEHICLE WAS IN "LIMP" MODE HOWEVER AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 10 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE ECU RESET. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM. ON 8/16/14 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY ABS CONTROL UNIT FOR AN ESTIMATED 2500.00. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 27, 2014
WHEN I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. I WAS IN THE TURN LANE AND THERE WAS AN OPENING AS I STARTED MOVING FEET FROM CLUTCH TO FUEL PEDAL. THE CAR LURCH AND CAME TO A STOP. THE CAR HAD DIED WHILE I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GET IN THE TURN LANE. I HAVE CALLED THE VW DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA ON WHY THE CAR DID AND IS STILL DOING THIS. I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE FOR ME OR FOR MY FAMILY, I AM A FIREFIGHTER AND I REALLY TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE CAR IS GOING CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR KILL US. THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN OVER TWENTY TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME THAT THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T DO IT AT ALL. OTHER DAYS IT IS EVERY TIME OR EVERY OTHER STOP. WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS THE JETTA LURCHES LIKE IT IS OUT OF FUEL EVEN THOU IT HAS A FULL TANK. ALL OF THE CARS MAINTANCE IS UP TO DATE PER THE DEALER. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 30, 2014
AFTER FAILING INSPECTION LAST WEEK FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS, I PRECEDED TO CHANGE THE REAR BRAKES (WHICH WERE THE REASON FOR THE INSPECTION FAILURE). THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE PAD WAS WORE COMPLETELY TO THE METAL. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD COME DIRECTLY OUT OF THE BOX, NO WEAR AT ALL. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT HUNG UP, WHEELS SPUN FREELY AFTER REPLACING BOTH SIDES. THIS WAS THE SAME CASE WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION TWO YEARS, APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES, AGO. AFTER READING MANY OTHER JETTA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE REAR BRAKES FAILING PREMATURELY, I DECIDED TO SUBMIT THIS ISSUE TO NHTSA. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE PAD HAD WORN DOWN TO 25% WHILE THE RIGHT BRAKE PAD HAD ONLY WORN DOWN TO 75%. THE MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW WHY THE LEFT BRAKE PAD WORE DOWN FASTER THAN THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Dec 4, 2013, crash
RE: PARKING BRAKE. IN DEC 2013, MY 2010 VW JETTA TDI ROLLED BACKWARDS WITH THE PARKING BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. IT HIT ANOTHER STATIONARY VEHICLE; THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO INJURIES EXCEPT TO THE TWO CARS. I HAD BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN FEB 2013 WITH THE CONCERN THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SECURE. THEY SAID THEIR WAS LITTLE ADJUSTMENT TO BE MADE AND IT WAS WORKING TO SPECS. MY VEHICLE HAD UNDERGONE IT'S 40K SERVICE TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN A CRASH. WORKING UP TO "SPECS" IS CLEARLY NOT SUFFICIENT OR SAFE. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2011
I HAVE A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND I NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST FORMING ON THE REAR WHEELS AND OCCASIONAL SQUEAKING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AT MY FIRST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE OF 10,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. AT THE NEXT SERVICE INTERVAL,20,000 MILES I WAS TOLD I NEED NEW REAR BRAKES. I KNOW THAT GENERALLY, 65% OF THE BRAKING IS DONE WITH THE FRONT BRAKES, THUS USUALLY MAKING THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDING REPLACEMENT 2 TIMES BEFORE THE REARS. VOLKSWAGEN SEEMS TO THINK MY CLAIM IS UNJUSTIFIED, ALTHOUGH I HAVE FOUND MANY BLOGS ONLINE OF PEOPLE STATING THE SAME ISSUES. I BELIEVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS TOO TIGHT OR THERE IS A FLAW FROM THE FACTORY. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS, POSSIBLY FOR MANY UNAWARE CONSUMERS, THAT SHOULD BE MADE INTO A RECALL BEFORE MAJOR DAMAGE IS DONE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 15, 2011
BRAKES ON 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGON TDI WEARING UNEVENLY. 90 % FRONT BRAKE PAD LEFT AND 15% PAD LEFT ON THE REAR. VOLKSWAGEN SHOP REPORTS TO ME THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND IS NORMAL. VOLKSWAGEN SHOP MANAGER STATES IT IS DUE TO UNDERSIZED REAR BRAKE PAD CAUSING IT TO WEAR OUT QUICKLY. MANAGER ALSO AGREED THAT 8 OR 9 SETS OF REAR PADS TO ONE SET OF FRONT PADS IS ABOUT THE CORRECT RATIO. PREMATURE PAD WEAR OUT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF REAR WHEEL BREAKING RESULTING IN LOSS OF BREAKING AND MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENT DUE TO LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 17, 2011
UPON EXITING THE FREEWAY AND APPLYING THE BRAKES,SPEED35MPH, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKED-UP AND BLEW THE TIRE. SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON VEHICLE, THEN DRIVEN APP. 2MILES TO HOUSE. DURING TRIP TO HOUSE BRAKES LOST FLUID AND IT BECAME HARD TO STOP CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. REQUIRED NEW TIRE, BRAKE CALIPER, PADS AND ROTOR REPLACE FLUID. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Aug 18, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING 5 MPH FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE EPS AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AND RE-ROUTED THE WIRING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, SHE WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. AT A LATER DATE, WHILE SITTING IDLE WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT THEN ADDED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT THEN UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, GRADUALLY COMING TO A STOP BEFORE LIGHTLY CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 4,500. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 10, 2010
2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI SEDAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE SERVICE CONSULTANT SAID THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE. A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF PHYSICS TELLS YOU THE FRONT BRAKES DO THE MAJORITY OF DECELERATING A VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 18, 2010
2010 VW JETTA TDI SPORTSWAGEN. AFTER 30 MILE DRIVE, LEFT REAR TIRE/WHEEL WERE VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH, STRONG ODOR OF "HOT BRAKE". REMAINING WHEELS WERE NORMAL. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC/STOP-N-GO. *TR