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Exterior lightingPart report

2010 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
2%of 852 total for the year
Median mileage
74,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 2% of the 852 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles.

Example complaints

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

“The tail lights and brake lights were not working. Discovered during annual state required inspection in september 2015. I was driving the vehicle regularly on rural, city and highway roads without tail and brake lights and was unaware. A repair to the electrical wiring was required. Addtionally, the trunk latch was only working intermittently prior to this repair. Since the wiring repair was made, I have had no issues with the trunk release not working. …”

NHTSA complaint #10820168, filed 2016-01, 53,000 miles

“Passage side high and low beam , driverside daytime running light, driverside rear tail light, reverse light and brake lights all stopped working changed all bulbs still didn't work pulled f16 fuse fuse is burnt and melted the fuse port. Vw stated it would not be covered even thou it was recalled for the 2009 same make and model. Called vw care and explained my vehicles build date stated 12.09 mexico refused to cover it under recall. Explain that my vehicle is not safe to operate.”

NHTSA complaint #10980306, filed 2017-04, 97,000 miles

“I bought my 2010 Jetta used in june 2013. A month after I purchased it, I noticed the A/C was not working. I returned it to the dealer and they confirmed that the A/C compressor wasn't working. They installed a new one and I didn't have a problem until 8/7/13. I went out to start my car and noticed I had a light on my dashboard. I got out of the car and noticed my right front passenger side headlight out. I walked around and noticed the drivers side rear tail light was also out. …”

NHTSA complaint #10562328, filed 2014-01, 53,500 miles

“Vehicle is equipped with an rcd 510 2din touchscreen radio (delphi premium - 8). Hands free operation comes through this system. On the morning of 8/14/14 I started my car and the radio system was dead. Totally dead, as if there is no power getting to it whatsoever. I checked all fuses (engine compartment, interior of car and the 15 amp fuse located in rear of the radio) and all were fine. It may be a coincidence, but my left headlight has burned out twice in the last 6 months, most recently in early august 2014. …”

NHTSA complaint #10627833, filed 2014-08, 78,000 miles

“The radio stopped working completely, which seems like a common problem. But in addition the lights were malfunctioning from that point on. 12 different error warnings appeared on the readout about different lights not working. I checked the fuses and all of them were ok, not burned. Several years ago I had one of the headlights intermittently not work. At that point I checked the fuses and there was one fuse that had a deformed plastic cap, but the metal part was still in one piece. Part of the fuse box it was inserted in was melted. This all happened when I first started the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11072173, filed 2018-02, 190,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026117%
202513%
202212%
202111%
2019265%
201753%
201632%
201553%
2014246%
2013173%
2012133%
2011417%
2010192%
2009243%
200853%
200784%
2006326%
2005146%
200494%
2003286%
2002507%
20018012%
2000348%
1999175%
199874%
199573%
199316%
198815%

Other parts of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel system
303 complaints
Electrical system
233 complaints
Engine
117 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
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 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