Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Airbags recall
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.
- Remedy
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
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
8
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
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In June of 2021 my car had a warning light for the DPF filter come on and told me to follow the instructions in the manual to drive it on the freeway at certain RPMs to get it to clear well that didn’t work and eventually the check engine light came on as well, I took it to the dealership and found out that the Diesel Particulate Filter was bad and needed to be replaced, the DPF was under an extended warranty because of the whole Dieselgate issue, my car had approx 95k miles or so on it when the filter was replaced along with my timing belt. Well six months later the DPF filter light came on again so I brought it back to the dealership that replaced it and they said it wasn’t their fault and that now the glow plugs and thermostat needed to be replaced to get the filter to work so I spent a bunch of money fixing that and now just recently the DPF light and check engine light came on again so I brought it back to the mechanic and they said I needed a new O2 sensor and that would fix this problem, well the replaced the sensor and I drove away and now my Turbo blew which was incredibly scary cause my car lost all power and made a crazy siren noise as I tried to get to a safe area. and my car isn’t driveable at all, my car only has 101,000 miles in it and it going to cost me over $3000 to fix the turbo when I just spent $600 to replace the sensor, $600 on glow plugs and themostat, and $1000 on the timing Belt. This is a lot of extra money to spend on a car in just one year. I don’t think that the DPF filter should be giving me problems every 6 months. I’m a single mom and I don’t know what to do, I can’t afford a new car but I also can’t afford to keep fixing this one. My car is currently at the VW dealership waiting to be fixed and I hope I’m not wasting my money just for it to break again. I’m going into Credit card debt just to keep This car running at this point.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11480336 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
4
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
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AFTER DRIVING ALL DAY WITH NO PROBLEM, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE CAR OFF. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER AND TRIED AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO TURN OFF EITHER. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS AND WD-40, THEY WE ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF. IT APPEARS THAT THE ISSUE IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WITH THIS WITH VOLKSWAGEN, YET THERE IS NOT A RECALL. THE REPLACEMENT WILL BE ABOUT $650. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED ELECTRICAL ISSUES INVOLVING ABS AND AIRBAGS THAT WERE CLOSE TO $2000. AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, I'M READY TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AND NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11234005 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
7
Most reports here involve software faults.
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ABS module in 2010 VW Jetta wagon malfunctioned. Warning lights in dash were lit for ABS, Brake, and airbag on 5/18/24. Towed to local auto shop by AAA on 5/20/24. Verified by local auto shop as faulty ABS module on 5/21/24. Prior year VW Jetta wagon (2009) already has recall for this issue. Car is not safe to drive due to brake issue and will not pass state inspection. This VIN / make / model of VW should be added to existing VW ABS recall. I have not towed vehicle back to house and do not have the auto shop report yet.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11590030 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
3
Most reports here involve premature wear.
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT "CAUTION DEFECTIVE AIR BAG" WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF MURRIETA (LOCATED AT 41300 DATE ST, MURRIETA, CA 92562, (951) 249-7072) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11252110 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
1
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
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I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON 6/01/2017. THE POLICE ESTIMATED THAT THE CAR THAT HIT ME FROM THE BACK WAS GOING 55MPH. MY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY...EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS TOTALED DUE TO SUFFERING EXTENSIVE FROM END DAMAGE. MY CAR WAS STOPPED AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT. DUE TO THE FAILURE OF MY AIRBAG MY FACE AND SHOULDER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME TO LOSE A TOOTH AND CAUSE GREAT DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11223171 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 23 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (33). Of the 5 model years of the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen we cover, the 2013 has the most (36). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.