2010 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
NHTSA has 1 open defect investigation (not a recall). Known weak spot on this generation: 2.0T (EA888 Gen1/2) — timing-chain tensioner & oil use. 4 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer.
A rattle on cold start or on shutdown, oil level and consumption, a low-oil-pressure light. Confirm whether the updated tensioner was fitted.
Known problems on the 2010 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T (EA888 Gen1/2) — timing-chain tensioner & oil use $900–$4,000 to fix
If equipped with the 2.0T, this generation can spin a failed timing-chain tensioner (a rattle, then a jumped chain and bent valves) and tends to consume oil. VW extended coverage on the tensioner for many.
Check for: A rattle on cold start or on shutdown, oil level and consumption, a low-oil-pressure light. Confirm whether the updated tensioner was fitted.
Basis: VW timing-chain-tensioner extended coverage; NHTSA complaints; class action
Known patterns for this year and model, not findings about one car. A well-kept example may already have had the fix. Costs are rough US shop prices.
2010 Volkswagen Passat recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Airbags
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.
Details 18V148000
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.
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
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 17V509000
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.
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.
- Airbags
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.
Details 16V078000
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.
Fix: 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.
- Airbags
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 15V483000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
2010 Volkswagen Passat safety investigations and free repairs
Under investigation (not a recall):
- Air bag clockspring failure since Apr 2018
Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Turbocharger: This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement.
- Steering: The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
- Fuel system: Volkswagen Note (Warranty Extension for Intake Manifold & Fuel Injectors Certain 2008-2011 Model Year Volkswagen Vehicles with 2.0 TFSI Engine): As…
- Cooling: This Document informs dealers on the the new Water Pump Limited Warranty Extension
- Warranty extension: The Vehicle Maintenance Declaration has been added back to WISE for the Timing Chain Warranty Extension.
4 more in the full VIN report.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2010 Volkswagen Passat safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
163 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other Volkswagen Passat years
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator