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

163 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
94

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

transmission slipping 26sudden stalling 25
A recent report: My 2010 Volkswagen CC became completely inoperable because of the active fuel pump control module recall (NHTSA 17V509). The vehicle stalled and nearly caused an accident. The check engine light came…
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My 2010 Volkswagen CC became completely inoperable because of the active fuel pump control module recall (NHTSA 17V509). The vehicle stalled and nearly caused an accident. The check engine light came on just before I noticed a burning smell coming from the backseat of my car immediately after smelling that the car suddenly stalled out in the middle of a busy intersection and the engine would not start back up. I had to push it to a gas station parking lot across 3 lanes of traffic. I lifted up the backseat and found that the fuel control module was overheated and melting on top of the fuel pump so I carefully and properly disconnected it from the vehicle. The next day I had the vehicle towed to Lokey Volkswagen in Clearwater, FL. Today 3/14/2026 They did the recall repair and told me my vehicle is safe to drive. Today 3/14/2026 I drove the car 1 mile from the dealership when the exact same thing happened again the car stalled out, and I had to carefully maneuver to the shoulder of hwy us 19 s narrowly missing vehicles in the other lanes. The vehicle was then towed back to lokey Volkswagen. It is pretty clear that the issue was not resolved, and that this fuel control module failing may have affected other parts of the fuel system/wiring and or the fuel control module failed again. I have pictures of the fuel control module, and I gave the initial melted/failed fuel control module to the service department and they took it. The dealership service department is stating that this may be to do something other than the recall repair and that I may be liable for the diagnostic and towing charges. This is a very serious safety issue that almost cost me to get in accidents on the highway twice. I feel that they (Volkswagen) needs to be held responsible for rectification and to find out if there is a connection between this recall and the continuing failure of the vehicle to operate safely.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11724256 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
6

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 3software faults 2
A recent report: As the trunk hatch opens and closes, the wiring to the hatch wears down, frays, and then shorts or breaks. This killed our rear view camera, which is a safety issue. This also can cut off light to…
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As the trunk hatch opens and closes, the wiring to the hatch wears down, frays, and then shorts or breaks. This killed our rear view camera, which is a safety issue. This also can cut off light to the license plate. The rear hatch also cannot then be opened from the rear of the car, as the handle is electrical and gets disconnected, possible causing another safety issue.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11535909 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
3

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 2rollaway 1
A recent report: THE CAR BATTERY IS FINE, THE CAR SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY WHEN PUSHING ON BRAKE, LEAKS BRAKE FLUID, CANNOT KEEP RUNNING, CANNOT GET TO VW TO GET THE CURRENT 4 RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF UNLESS I CAN PAY FOR…
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THE CAR BATTERY IS FINE, THE CAR SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY WHEN PUSHING ON BRAKE, LEAKS BRAKE FLUID, CANNOT KEEP RUNNING, CANNOT GET TO VW TO GET THE CURRENT 4 RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF UNLESS I CAN PAY FOR TOWING, CAN'T RUN BECAUSE OF FUEL PUMP AND THE APPARENT ISSUES VW IS HAVING ALREADY ON OTHER 2010 MODELS BRAKE SYSTEM, THIS IS THE SAME YEAR AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PASSAT 2010 ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE ABS! VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT TO THE VEHICLE EVEN THE ISSUE OF INABILITY TO DRIVE IS DUE TO THE RECALL OF FUEL PUMP AND THE NOT YET RECALLED 2010 PASSAT BRAKES (ABS) , CAUSING IT TO SHUT OFFF. THE ELECTRICAL GOES HAYWIRE. SORRY FOR NON TECH TERMS BUT THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON, IT IMMEDIATELY SAYS SERVICE BRAKES THEN SHUTS OFF. BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING, AS WELL AS COOLANT.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11315861 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
13

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 6premature wear 2
A recent report: VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 1 BLOCK ON THIS STREET AFTER HAVING TURNED ONTO IT FROM ANOTHER STREET. WHEN THE CAR DIED…
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VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 1 BLOCK ON THIS STREET AFTER HAVING TURNED ONTO IT FROM ANOTHER STREET. WHEN THE CAR DIED, "STEERING WHEEL LOCKED" DISPLAYED ON DASH PANEL. CAR WOULD NOT START, STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T MOVE BEYOND ABOUT 1" TO THE RIGHT. MESSAGE WOULD DISPLAY "STEERING WHEEL STILL LOCKED" OR "MOVE STEERING WHEEL." AFTER 40 MINUTES OF THIS ROTATION OF MESSAGES AND TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN. CAR FINALLY STARTED BUT ONLY FOR 3 SECONDS. BATTERY LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES DOING THIS AND MOVING IT 30 FEET TO SAFELY PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES F. FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THIS, I WOULD PERIODICALLY HEAR A TICKING SOUND AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER THE TICKING STOPPED, A MESSAGE WOULD DISPLAY ON THE DASH PANEL "STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. VISIT WORKSHOP!" IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME I TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND THE CAR STARTED FINE EACH TIME AFTER. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS IN THE TEENS (F) WHEN THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENED.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11301347 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
41

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 5software faults 2
A recent report: The car was hit broadside on the passenger side front door, spun around and hit head in to a power pole. With all this happening none of the airbags deployed.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11440541 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
3

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 3
A recent report: THE SEAT FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED IN MY CAR. THE STEEL HAD POOR WELD POINTS AND BROKE IN HALF. IT LOOKED LIKE CHEAP STEEL AND HAD IT HAPPENED IN A WRECK, IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT STEEL WOULD…
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THE SEAT FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED IN MY CAR. THE STEEL HAD POOR WELD POINTS AND BROKE IN HALF. IT LOOKED LIKE CHEAP STEEL AND HAD IT HAPPENED IN A WRECK, IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT STEEL WOULD HAVE IMPALED THE DRIVER.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11151688 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 3
A recent report: VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REFUSES TO FIX RECALLS

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11123039 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 163 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 10 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.