2010 Volkswagen Passat Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 21%of 163 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Volkswagen Passat, 21% of the 163 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Problm with a separated rear main seal at 100000miles. After doing some research I found that if vw would properly install the sealat the of production, it would never separate. Comparing to my old vw that had 250000miles and never had this problem is seam as a design flaw. Vw has to step up and pay for their own mistake!”
NHTSA complaint #10898693, filed 2016-08, 102,650 miles“The car was in on mild slope (up-hill). I was holding my foot on the brake pedal while waiting for the traffic light. When I took my foot off from the brake pedal the car started moving backwards. I quickly pressed the accelerator and avoided the collision with the car behind me in the last moment. I was able to replicate the issue several times on the mild slope.”
NHTSA complaint #10453720, filed 2012-04, 11,000 miles“Coming from a standstill, my 2010 vw Passat with 69,000 miles has a multiple second delay before going into d or r. One day, I put it in r and depressed the accelerator and the car acted like it was in n. This is the second time it has happened”
NHTSA complaint #10937712, filed 2016-12, 69,850 miles“While accelerating from a toll plaza I felt the car shutter and heard/felt it bang. Than the car dropped into second gear and the d indicator of the transmission started to flash. I was forced to pull over to the side of the road (through a lot of traffic). Once on the side of the road I was able to shut off the car and restart it. The car worked fine after that. This is the third time this has been an issue. It was repaired the first 2 times by the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10667263, filed 2014-12, 84,000 miles“I have owned this car for beraly one month. 2 days after purchasing the 02 sensors went bad. 1 week later my pcv valve went bad. And 2 days after that my car stalled on me while driving down a canyon and would not start again. I lost control and ended up on the side of the road. I though I was going to kill myself. After sitting there for about an hour the car turned on but was extremely shaky and would stall the minute I slowed down or came to a stop. I managed to get the car to a repair shop only to have the engine die on me. The car cannot be turned on or moved. …”
NHTSA complaint #11266504, filed 2019-10, 63,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025440Oct 14, 2025Cautions about using aftermarket transmission flush machines and aftermarket transmission fluids.
- 11023836Sep 15, 2025This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement. This extension includes 2008-2015 GTI and Golf R*, 2012-2013 VW Beetle*, 2009 VW…
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 11008851Sep 17, 2024Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
- 10188558Mar 3, 2021Transmission Fluid requirements updated to include additional model year applicability.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 3 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 5% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 37 | 6% |
| 2013 | 33 | 4% |
| 2012 | 15 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 34 | 21% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 38 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 6% |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% |
| 2001 | 34 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 4% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 10 | 11% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2010 Volkswagen Passat
45 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat
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