2010 Volkswagen Golf recalls and problems

The 2010 Volkswagen Golf has 4 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

3 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2010 Volkswagen Golf vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2010 Volkswagen Golf recalls

Recall 18V-148: Air Bags

Reported Mar 6, 2018 · 363,713 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Recall 16V-913: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Dec 20, 2016 · 135,683 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Recall 16V-078: Air Bags

Reported Feb 10, 2016 · 659,493 vehicles affected · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

Recall 11V-490: Fuel System, Diesel

Reported Oct 3, 2011 · 168,275 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 jetta and jetta sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from may 2008 through september 2011, model year 2010-2012 volkswagen golf vehicles, manufactured from may 2009 through september 2011, and model year 2010-2012 audi a3 vehicles, manufactured from september 2009 through september 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0l tdi common rail diesel engine/clean diesel engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the injector line #2, in specific load and RPM conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.

Risk: Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.

Fix: Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen and audi will notify owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during november 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

2010 Volkswagen Golf problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Fuel System, Diesel	22
Air Bags	11
Fuel/Propulsion System	10
Engine and Engine Cooling	9
Power Train	7
Engine	7
Electrical System	6
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	4
Fuel System, Gasoline	3
Seats	3
Seat Belts	3
Unknown or Other	2

Most reported parts

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 3
Power Train › Manual Transmission — 2
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
Electrical System › Horn — 1
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 1
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 34,600 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2010 Volkswagen Golf complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Oct 26, 2026

The ABS control module (Continental MK60EC1, part number 1K0 907 379 AH) in my 2010 Volkswagen Golf has failed. The vehicle's ABS and electronic stability control are inoperative. The failed module is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. On October 26, 2026, an authorized Volkswagen dealer inspected the vehicle with the factory diagnostic system and confirmed the failure: the module stores fault 01130 (ABS operation, implausible signal, recorded 16 times) and fault 16352 (control module faulty, recorded 31 times and currently present as "static" â the…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 107,000 miles · reported Jul 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the ABS control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC)); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 133,000 miles · reported Jun 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Golf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V913000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle due to the ABS and ESC warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure with the ESC and ABS warning lights being illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Air Bags · reported Jul 9, 2022

Shortly after acquiring this car, an airbag light appeared on the dashboard after my sister adjusted the passenger side seat. The airbag indicator showed that it was off afterward, despite my sister being adequate weight to require the airbag. Continued problems ensued when the seat would show that it was occupied (airbag on and seatbelt chime when unbuckled, even though there was no one in the seat). Now this happens sporadically, and it is unknown whether the airbag will be operational or not whenever I start the car. Often, turning the car off then back on will allow for the airbag to show…

Power Train · reported Sep 7, 2021

I call my call Inspector Gadget because it shifts on it's own. I could be braking and it leaps forward as if I put it in 4th or 5th gear. I heard of gears "slipping" but it is the reverse - it's rev's on it's own and speed increases. I was told it might be the manifold but I can't get that confirmed from auto mechanic and it won't pass smog now.

Other Volkswagen Golf years

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 201120102009 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Volkswagen Golf years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Golf: 18V-148 (air bags), 16V-913 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, hydraulic), 16V-078 (air bags), 11V-490 (fuel system, diesel). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Volkswagen Golf?

Owners report fuel system, diesel problems most often (22 reports), followed by air bags (11). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 34,600 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.