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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2010 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
111about this part
Share
13%of 852 total for the year
Median mileage
43,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, 13% of the 852 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“I am truly not sure. It is going into the shop tomorrow. Although, I just purchased it used, and when I park it on a hill. It makes this odd sound as if the body is going to fall apart? I smell a burning metal smell as well. It was parked on a hill so it was stationary, just not sure what it is. I know it is used but I only had it for 1 month!”

NHTSA complaint #11244087, filed 2019-08, 123,000 miles

“I replaced my brakes with brand new brakes less than 6 months ago and still have all of the same issues. My brakes constantly lock, I've never been able to do a hardstop with this car for the 4 years I've owned it. I've avoided accidents by moving my steering wheel left and right to avoid other vehicles because my brakes lock pretty much every time. It scares me to drive this car with my 2 year old in the back seat. …”

NHTSA complaint #11193538, filed 2019-04, 70,000 miles

“While will driving 70 MPH on I-96, left front strut/coil/dampener failed , the coil spring became partially offset and separated laterally from the remaining portion of the coil. The portion of the coil offset began rubbing on the front tire sidewall. Fortunately, I was located 5-7 miles from home and my local vehicle repair shop. A dangerous and potentially very dangerous development. See attached images..”

NHTSA complaint #11088685, filed 2018-04, 148,000 miles

“My engine started to run louder than usual. When I took it in for a oil change I asked if they can tell me why my car was running so loud. When the oil change was done they came and told me that the reason why my car was running louder than normal was I need to replace the dual mass flywheel. My Volkswagen dealer said that I do not replace it right away it will end up breaking and ruining my whole transmission.”

NHTSA complaint #10605422, filed 2014-06, 80,000 miles

“I've a 2010 vw Jetta wagon tdi, it stalls out, mostly at low idle and on hills sometimes. It also doesn't engage sometimes in forward and once it does it lurches. I've been told it's the shifting and that there is no problem with the car. I took the car in three times to have vw look at it and they said there were no issues all three times.”

NHTSA complaint #10355426, filed 2010-09, 100 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025825%
2024715%
202325%
202123%
2020713%
201916330%
2018516%
2017159%
20162214%
20152312%
20147419%
201314127%
2012469%
2011549%
201011113%
200914116%
20085328%
20073316%
200624542%
20058434%
20043515%
20035412%
200210315%
2001629%
2000378%
1999309%
1998147%
1997815%
199626%
19952210%
199487%
199316%
199213%
199126%
199015%
198617%
1985431%

Other parts of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta

Fuel system
303 complaints
Electrical system
233 complaints
Engine
117 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 31, 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