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Volkswagen Passat WagonModel year report

2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
76,052miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and engine (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 13% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,052 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 520 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 63 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 84 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall I recently purchased this vehice. I bring in to the king vw to have it done. But it has not been cleared by NHTSA or Volkswagen of america. I have not received any paperwork about this. I know this from carfax. There was no collision, fire or such, speed was 0 MPH”

NHTSA complaint #11144113, filed 2018-10, 64,834 miles

Electrical system: “There was an interruption in electrical power from the fuel pump control module. This resulted in the fuel pump running continuously, resulting in a drained battery and no start condition, or cause a loss of motive power while the vehicle was idle at traffic lights. Took the car to vw garage who were aware of the problem said there would be a safety recall soon, but I should pay for repair and claim money back once recall was active, was told this would be early part of 2018. Still no recall and over $400 out of pocket. …”

NHTSA complaint #11097100, filed 2018-05, 85,600 miles

Engine: “2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. 88k miles. Check engine came on as I was driving it in the city. Within one hour of check engine light appearing I stopped the car. When I tried to restart 30 minutes later it refused to start. Promptly had it towed to dealer. Vw dealership mechanic says: timing in the engine slipped due to slack in timing chain. Compression measured low to none. Incorrect timing has caused damage to valves and camshaft. Vehicle will need a cylinder head, camshaft, timing chain & tensioner to start. They say this portion will cost me $5,700 plus tax. …”

NHTSA complaint #11151418, filed 2018-11, 88,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

13% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 69,000 and 85,600 miles.

0%0–100%10–2513%25–5038%50–7538%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 76,052 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2017201842019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Passat Wagon · sedan FWDnot rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Passat Wagon FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic223125$3,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 520 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 520 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat Wagon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2010976,0522—25—Not enough data
2009675,0002—22—Not enough data
20086115,0002—24—Not enough data
200711149,5003—23—Not enough data
20046121,9620—22—Not enough data
20027105,0000—22—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Passat Wagon model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon (Passat Wagon, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,052 miles and the middle half falls between 69,000 and 85,600 miles; 13% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.