Model year guide

2010 Volkswagen Jetta

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 255 on record.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2010 Volkswagen Jetta at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints875
Combined28 mpg
Typical price$7,778

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta recalls 5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #20E064000 · 23/09/2020

Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

Fix: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #16V913000 · 20/12/2016

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.

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 Vo…

Fuel System, Diesel NHTSA Campaign #11V490000 · 03/10/2011

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…

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 …

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #10V621000 · 10/12/2010

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONV…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE…

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #09V333000 · 20/08/2009

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSI…

Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 875 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg
City25 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,625

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta worth?

Low
$4,900
Typical price
$7,778
High
$11,000

From 253 comparable 2010 Volkswagen Jetta listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,125
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,650
Total$17,775
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,778) with the same model 5 model-years older ($3,112), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta trims & engines on record

Trims
Limited Edition PZEV · TDI · SportWagen TDI · Limited Edition · SE · Wolfsburg Edition · 2.5 SE, SEL, 2.0T Wolfsburg Edition, TDI w/ Sunroof · SportWagen S PZEV · S · Wolfsburg Edition PZEV
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl 170 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 140 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp · 2.5L 5-cyl 150 hp

2010 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

2010 Volkswagen Jetta — frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta?

Based on 875 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, electrical system, hydraulic.

What is the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta at about 28 mpg combined (25 city / 33 highway).

How much is a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta worth?

Comparable 2010 Volkswagen Jetta listings run roughly $4,900–$11,000, typically around $7,778 (from 253 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.