2010 Volkswagen Golf

Routine

Owners filed 69 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, diesel. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
34,600 milesMedian miles at failure

56 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Diesel16
000
Air Bags11
100
Fuel/Propulsion System7
000
Engine and Engine Cooling5
000
Engine4
000
Electrical System4
000
Fuel System, Gasoline3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
000
Seat Belts2
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module18V148000
Filed Mar 6, 2018363,713 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)16V913000
Filed Dec 20, 2016135,683 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V078000
Filed Feb 10, 2016659,493 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Fuel System, Diesel11V490000
Filed Oct 3, 2011168,275 vehiclesVolkswagen Of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 18, 2024107,000 milesTN

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 18, 2024133,000 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle due to the ABS and ESC warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure with the ESC and ABS warning lights being illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 9, 2022CA

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.

Power TrainCrash
Filed Sep 7, 2021CA

I call my call Inspector Gadget because it shifts on it's own. I could be braking and it leaps forward as if I put it in 4th or 5th gear. I heard of gears "slipping" but it is the reverse - it's rev's on it's own and speed increases. I was told it might be the manifold but I can't get that confirmed from auto mechanic and it won't pass smog now.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 16, 2020120,000 milesFL

ABS WARNING LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FOR MANY MONTHS- GO ON AND OFF ALONG WITH AIRBAG WARNING FREQUENTLY- SEVERAL MECHANICS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. RECENTLY BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT SAME TIME AS ABS AND AIRBAG WARNINGS. BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT FINE. ON REPLACEMENT OF WHEEL SPEED ABS SENSOR, DISCOVERED CENTRAL ABS CONTROL MODULE ERROR (DTC 01130). VW HAD ALREADY ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ( 45F2) FOR THE ABS SENSOR IN SEVERAL 2009 AND 2010 JETTA/GOLF, BUT IN A LIMITED VIN RANGE. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IN THIS 2010 GOLD IS THE FAULT OF THE FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE FOUND IN OTHER 2010 GOLF CARS AND REFUSE TO HONOR RECALL OR TO LOG PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 9, 202056,878 milesPR

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. LOST OF ABS SYSTEM, STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS AT 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP.

Air Bags
Filed May 30, 201895,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN CATONSVILLE (6624 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TT *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 26, 2018CA

2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEATBELT DEFECT WITH NO WARRANTY SUPPORT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Mar 28, 2018110,000 milesWA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 25, 2017CA

HAD TO REPLACE THE MAP SENSOR 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. MANIFOLD PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. HAD TO PAY $700 EACH TIME TO FIX.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 27, 2017MA

TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR NOW. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THAT CAR WITHOUT RISKING MY LIFE EVERY DAY.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 20, 201779,000 milesTN

TAKATA RECALL - OFFICIAL RECALL IS DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2016. WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, INCLUDING A WAY TO REMEDY THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 23, 2016WA

TAMARA RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG EVEN THOUGH IT PRESENTS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE REPAIR AND DATE I CAN TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. IT IS HAS BEEN TOO LONG WITH NO FIX IDENTIFIED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 9, 201660,000 milesTX

TAKATA RECALL... I'M IN ZONE A, TEXAS, AND MY CAR HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED! WHEN AND HOW WILL I BE CALLED UP TO GET THESE FIXED? I'M KEEPING THE CAR UNTIL MID-2018.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 2, 2016120,000 milesVA

"TAKATA RECALL". SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR A TAKATA AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE A SCHEDULE FOR AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. THE NHTSA WEBSITE REFERENCES A "SCHEDULE" & "PRIORITY" FOR REPLACEMENT OF TAKATA AIRBAGS, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED. THE ONLY SCHEDULE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE INDICATES THAT OLDER VEHICLES IN HOT & HUMID CONDITIONS ARE AT HIGHER RISK. PRIORITY 1 VEHICLES ON THE NHTSA LIST INDICATE THAT FAILURE IS MORE LIKELY IN PRIORITY 1 LOCATIONS AFTER 6-9 YEARS. MY VEHICLE IS MORE THAN 6 YEARS OLD & HAS SPENT MOST OF IT'S LIFE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA WITHIN A FEW MILES OF CORROSIVE SALT WATER IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. SEVERAL FRIENDS, CLIENTS & FAMILY HAVE REFUSED TO RIDE IN MY VEHICLE DUE TO ITS' AIRBAG RECALL & PROXIMITY TO HIGH HEAT & HUMIDITY. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT MY PERSONAL SAFETY. WHEN IS MY VEHICLE ELIGIBLE FOR AIRBAG REPAIR?

Engine
Filed Aug 4, 201651,000 milesIL

THE MAIN (REAR) ENGINE OIL SEAL IS LEAKING WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT OF THE ENGINE OIL SEAL OR IMPROPERLY MOUNTED FROM THE VW FACTORY. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WITH VW OWNERS. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA.

Air Bags
Filed May 13, 2016ME

VW SHOULD PUT CUSTOMERS IN LOANERS UNTIL THE AIRBAGS ARE SAFELY REPLACED. IT'S NOT RIGHT TO SEND SOMEONE A NOTICE, STATING THEIR AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND KILL YOU WITHOUT OFFERING A SAFE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. WE ALSO HAVE A HONDA CRV AND THEY HAVE PROVIDED A LOANER UNTIL THE AIRBAG IS REPLACED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 23, 2015105,199 milesNJ

ENGINE FAILURE ON ROAD. SERVICE IS CLAIMING IT IS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE.... HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.

Engine
Filed Jan 9, 201547,000 milesDC

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUT OFF. I TURNED ON HAZZARDS, PUT CAR INTO PARK, RESTARTED, PUT CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND DROVE AWAY. THIS WAS ON THE I-35 FRONTAGE ROAD AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN REARENDED / KILLED. HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME ON THE BQE IN NEW YORK SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPT. "PROBABLY A GLITCH, WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN." WAITING FOR A THIRD INCIDENT WHERE I'M NOT SO LUCKY.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 23, 201460,580 milesCA

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED TO MAKE MY TURN AND AFTER EXITING THE INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED AAA AND MY LOCAL VW DEALER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED THERE FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THAT IT WOULD BE REPLACED AS A "GOODWILL" BY VW SINCE MY CAR WAS JUST OUT OF THE 5 YEAR 60K WARRANTY. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FUEL TANK ITSELF WHICH WAS CLEANED. EVERYTHING WAS TAKEN CARE OF BY VW WITH NO CHARGE TO ME, AND A LOANER CAR WAS PROVIDED. *TR

20 of 69 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202311000Routine
202281000Routine
20217100Routine
20206200Routine
201963600Do not drive
201829600Do not drive
2017116500Routine
201685900Routine
20151311230Routine
201411500Routine
201343510Routine
201248600Routine
2011110630Routine
2010 — this page69400Routine
20093000Routine
20081000Routine
20072000Routine
200612300Routine
200519400Routine
200428611Fatalities reported
200327670Routine
200274700Routine
2001116920Routine
200088810Routine
199964710Routine
199818100Routine
199723010Routine
199636120Routine
199543500Routine
199441540Routine
19937500Routine
19926200Routine
19918300Routine
199010520Routine

Compare every Golf year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 6, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.