Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

69 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
46

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 34premature wear 3
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11432070 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
3

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 1software faults 1electrical shorts 1
A recent report: FIRST SYMPTON WAS A FAULTY WARNING LIGHT STATING, INCORRECTLY, THAT A BULB WAS DEAD. REPLACED HEADLIGHTS UNDER ADVICE FROM DEALER THAT THE ERROR WAS DUE TO FAULTY VOLTAGE FROM A DYING BULB. CONDITION…
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FIRST SYMPTON WAS A FAULTY WARNING LIGHT STATING, INCORRECTLY, THAT A BULB WAS DEAD. REPLACED HEADLIGHTS UNDER ADVICE FROM DEALER THAT THE ERROR WAS DUE TO FAULTY VOLTAGE FROM A DYING BULB. CONDITION WORSENED. INFORMATION CENTER BEGAN STATING THAT ALL BULBS WERE OUT EACH TIME YOU STARTED THE CAR AND THEN FINALLY, LIGHTS BEGAN TO FAIL. THE CAR LOST ALL EXTERIOR PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTS AND HAD ONLY INTERMITTENT USE OF REAR DRIVER SIDE LIGHTING. DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A MELTED FUSE BOX BUT COULD NOT GIVE REASON FOR MELTING. NO MODIFICATIONS HAVE EVER BEEN MADE TO THE CAR. A QUICK INTERENET SEARCH REVEALED MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS MANY VOLKSWAGEN MODELS AND THAT THE DEALER'S FIX OF JUST REPLACING THE FUSEBOX MAY NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM WHICH MAY BE DUE TO A WIRE TO THE FUSE BOX. OVER $700 SPENT TO DATE ON REPAIRS WITH NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHY VW FUSE BOXES ARE MELTING AND WONDERING HOW LONG TILL MY NEW BOX MELTS TOO. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10557979 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
5

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 4loss of braking 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11603240 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE FALSE LOW TIRE…
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2010 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE FALSE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT INDICATIONS FROM THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS). THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND NO INDICATION OF LOW PRESSURE IN ANY TIRE. THEY RESET THE TPMS VIA A PROGRAM SOFTWARE UPDATE. *JB

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10485506 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
11

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

airbags not deploying 1airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: 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…
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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 it is on for a passenger. I have seen in other locations online that this is an issue that has affected other people online with this model of car.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11473147 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: 2010 VW GOLF TDI 285 MILES SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. IN DOING RESEARCH ON EDMONDS.COM I FOUND TWO OTHER 2010 VW JETTA WITH SAME ISSUE. VW SAYS CAUSED BY EXTERNAL…
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2010 VW GOLF TDI 285 MILES SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. IN DOING RESEARCH ON EDMONDS.COM I FOUND TWO OTHER 2010 VW JETTA WITH SAME ISSUE. VW SAYS CAUSED BY EXTERNAL INFLUENCES AND DOES NOT WANT TO COVER IT YET THE DEALER DID UNDER GOOD WILL. THE EVENT WAS VERY TRAUMATIC AND VERY EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES AS WELL AS A ACCIDENT. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10308217 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: THE HEAD LINER IN MY VW GOLF IS FALLING APART AROUND THE REAR DOME LIGHT. THE MATERIAL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF AND IS BLOCKING MY REAR VIEW. THIS IS A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES ON…
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THE HEAD LINER IN MY VW GOLF IS FALLING APART AROUND THE REAR DOME LIGHT. THE MATERIAL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF AND IS BLOCKING MY REAR VIEW. THIS IS A FOUR YEAR OLD CAR WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES ON IT. VW HAS REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER MY WARRANTY. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10597866 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 69 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2024, roughly 5 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.