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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Passat 2010 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

163Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
8Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
8Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags45 complaints

45 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V483000, 16V078000, 18V148000.

Engine41 complaints

41 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System33 complaints

33 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 17V509000.

Electrical System21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

15V483000Reported August 4, 2015 - 415,825 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on August 4, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 415,825 vehicles across all affected models.

16V078000Reported February 10, 2016 - 659,493 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 659,493 vehicles across all affected models.

17V509000Reported August 16, 2017 - 280,915 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 16, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 280,915 vehicles across all affected models.

18V148000Reported March 6, 2018 - 363,713 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on March 6, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 363,713 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA18003Opened April 18, 2018 - Open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

PE15010Opened March 24, 2015 - Closed September 28, 2015

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. Resulted in recall campaign 15V483000.

RQ17009Opened November 13, 2017 - Closed May 4, 2018

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ17009Opened November 13, 2017 - Closed May 4, 2018

Air Bag Clockspring Failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

201011
20112
20125
20137
20147
201511
201621
201728
201829
201912
202015
20216
20221
20234
20243
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.