2010 Volkswagen Passat Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2010 Volkswagen Passat has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,719,946 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 18V148000 2018-03-06 363,713 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 17V509000 2017-08-16 280,915 affected
Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.

AIR BAGS 16V078000 2016-02-10 659,493 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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.…

AIR BAGS 15V483000 2015-08-04 415,825 affected
Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable…

Consequence

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed…

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
45
4crashes2injuries
ENGINE
41
POWER TRAIN
29
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
25
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18
STEERING
13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4
Total complaints226

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2026-03-11

“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…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2026-03-11

“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…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2026-03-11

“I purchased a used vehicle but have found out the oxygen sensor is feeding false error codes to the main obc causing leaks into driver compartment causing engine to stall while auto in motion and most importantly causing steering wheel to lock, have spoken with vwoa but they have no direct…”

ENGINE · reported 2024-10-13

“I purchased a used vehicle but have found out the oxygen sensor is feeding false error codes to the main obc causing leaks into driver compartment causing engine to stall while auto in motion and most importantly causing steering wheel to lock, have spoken with vwoa but they have no direct…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2024-10-13

“I purchased a used vehicle but have found out the oxygen sensor is feeding false error codes to the main obc causing leaks into driver compartment causing engine to stall while auto in motion and most importantly causing steering wheel to lock, have spoken with vwoa but they have no direct…”

STEERING · reported 2024-10-13

“The contact owns a 2010 volkswagen passat. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted while the vehicle was parked and turned off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2024-02-25

“The contact owns a 2010 volkswagen passat. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted while the vehicle was parked and turned off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The…”

ENGINE · reported 2024-02-25

Defect investigations

Investigation EA18003 Opened 2018-04-18 · open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation EA18003 Opened 2018-04-18 · open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation EA18003 Opened 2018-04-18 · open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation PE15010 Opened 2015-03-24 · closed 2015-09-28

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a…

Investigation PE15010 Opened 2015-03-24 · closed 2015-09-28

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a…

Investigation PE15010 Opened 2015-03-24 · closed 2015-09-28

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a…

Investigation RQ17009 Opened 2017-11-13 · closed 2018-05-04

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation RQ17009 Opened 2017-11-13 · closed 2018-05-04

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.