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EnginePart report

2010 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

Complaints
117about this part
Share
14%of 852 total for the year
Median mileage
65,592miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 117 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 14% of the 852 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,592 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving anytime that we would slow down or put the vehicle into reverse the vehicle would go randomly in neutral. It was randomly this would happen and became more frequent. Took it to a dealer and they said we would have to have the transmission replaced soon. Right before this their were about another $3,000 worth of issues we had to fix.”

NHTSA complaint #11169869, filed 2019-01, 120,000 miles

“My car keeps throwing a p0401 code EGR insufficient flow. The dealer told me its might be a cracked DPF filter. After looking on vw forums about the problem its going to be around a $3000 fix. Since the car is not a clean diesel as advertised the system is getting clogged due to the fact the car computer fake software”

NHTSA complaint #10789093, filed 2015-11, 89,000 miles

“I have a 2010 vw Jetta with 118k on it and while I was driving my engine died on me in the middle of the highway causing some serious safety issue. I evetually had the car towed to nearest repair shop and they estimated repair cost to be between 4-5k range to replace the timing chain tensinor. I did a quick google search and found thounds of people complaing about the same issue. Vw seriously needs to look into this. Very dissaponted. Won't buy another vw every again.”

NHTSA complaint #11350140, filed 2020-08, 118,400 miles

“I was driving my 2010 vw Jetta tdi in a parking lot, slowing down at less than 5 MPH to stop. All of a sudden, the engine stalled without warning. No warning or check engine lights came on at all. I had to put the car into park to restart it. Since this incident, the engine seems to be sputtering at low speeds.”

NHTSA complaint #10702076, filed 2015-03, 112,000 miles

“I was driving on the highway and the check engine light came on. The vehicle would not hold speed or accelerate. I pulled off the highway and the vehicle stalled out and would not restart. We replaced the high pressure fuel pump and fuse box. The car still will not start after a new fuel pump and fuse box, and we have been told that the wiring harness needs to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10608473, filed 2014-07, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
202513%
20241226%
20231126%
20221228%
202157%
20201222%
201914727%
201826%
20173321%
20164327%
20154322%
201410828%
201311222%
20128417%
20119015%
201011714%
20099611%
20082011%
2007168%
2006397%
20052711%
2004115%
2003164%
200271%
200191%
200082%
199921%

Other parts of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel system
303 complaints
Electrical system
233 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
111 complaints
Engine cooling
71 complaints
Brakes
55 complaints
Other or unknown
46 complaints
Air bags
31 complaints
Vehicle speed control
30 complaints
Equipment
23 complaints
Electronic stability control
21 complaints
Exterior lighting
19 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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