2010 Volkswagen Golf Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 10%of 70 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,996miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf, 10% of the 70 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,996 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On a highway the engine suddenly stopped running while I was in cruise control. After a few seconds, the engine came to life. I brought the car to my dealer who said that there was no problem that they could find. The car is a 2 month old vw GOLF tdi.”
NHTSA complaint #10335710, filed 2010-06, 4,500 miles“I have a 2010 vw GOLF tdi. I was driving along at 25 MPH when my glow plug & check engine lights started flashing, and my tachometer dropped to zero, indicating a stall. The power steering also started to cut out, but I was able to safely pull over. Tried starting the car again and got nothing. The car was towed to a vw dealership down the street, and on monday 11/19 they informed me that my high-pressure fuel pump failed and sent metal fragments through the entire fuel system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10485995, filed 2012-11, 40,169 miles“Upon making a lane change to merge into a faster moving traffic lane, the vehicle accelerated normally for one second then lost all engine power leaving me in a dangerous position. Upon depressing the clutch, the engine stalled. I was able to restart the engine after which it worked normally. This has happened approximately 20 times since. It usually creates a dangerous situation such as leaving the car without power in an oncoming traffic lane during a left turn or moving too slowly in a merging maneuver. …”
NHTSA complaint #10448033, filed 2012-02, 5,491 miles“2010 Volkswagen GOLF tdi 6 speed manual stalls extremely often. I have previously owned a 2006 Volkswagen gti with manual transmission and never had an issue with the clutch engagement. 2010 GOLF has currently 12.000 miles on it and the problem doesn't go away. This has happened in the middle of an intersection when you are about to take off and clear the intersection. Therefore I think this is a safety issue and needs to be investigated. As previous complaints state, apparently the cars immediately stalls as soon as you fall below 750rpm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10381719, filed 2011-02, 20 miles“The GOLF is the tdi diesel version. Is equipped with a dsg style auto transmission. The shifting between gears became very rough and and vehicle speed surged up and down while in gear. Clunking noises from engine/tranny compartment. Speed hard to maintain. Has been in vw dealer shop twice now for attempted repairs. First repairs entailed replacement of mechatronic unit. Was reasonably successful for about 500 miles and then failed in same fashion again.”
NHTSA complaint #10507329, filed 2013-04, 73,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
- 10209446Mar 29, 2022Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states coolant leak Oil level sensor leaking Customer states MIL-on, fault P2422 stored in ECM Customer…
- 10202587Oct 26, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states MIL-on with any combination of P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P1D74 and/or P1D75 in the ECM Customer…
- 10202349Oct 13, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise from front suspension Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Customer concern of…
- 10201488Sep 13, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Customer states no crank/no start. Vehicle is towed in. Customer…
- 10201487Sep 9, 2021Customer states MIL-on with P0087 P0149 P053F in the ECM Customer states noise during clutch pedal operation Customer states no crank/no start. Vehicle is towed in. Customer…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 31% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 14% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 19% |
| 2011 | 21 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 22% |
| 1997 | 3 | 43% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf
32 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology