2010 Volkswagen Jetta
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan 2.5/2.0tdi/2.0tsi
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 32 combined · 29 city / 39 hwy
- Length
- 179.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,230 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 36% better than the average 2010 compact car (23.6 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 5-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,230 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 39 highway), 36% better than the 2010 compact car average of 23.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 344 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2010
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 Jetta — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Jetta →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan 2.5/2.0tdi/2.0tsi | 179.1 in | 70.1 in | 57.5 in | 101.6 in | 60.2 / 58.3 in | 3,230 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 32 | +36% | $3,000 | 315 |
| Jetta Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +36% | $3,000 | 318 |
| Jetta SportWagen Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 32 | +32% | $3,000 | 315 |
| Jetta SportWagen Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +32% | $3,000 | 318 |
| Jetta | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 329 |
| Jetta | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | +6% | $3,300 | 355 |
| Jetta | 2.5L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +6% | $2,700 | 355 |
| Jetta | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 25 | +6% | $2,700 | 355 |
| Jetta SportWagen | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +3% | $2,700 | 355 |
| Jetta SportWagen | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 25 | +3% | $2,700 | 355 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Volkswagen Jetta (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2010 Toyota Corolla | 30 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2010 Honda Civic | 42 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2010 Ford Mustang | 21 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2010 Nissan GT-R | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Toyota Prius | 50 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2010 Mazda 3 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 20, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V913000 · 135,683 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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 Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
- Problem
- 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, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 3, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V490000 · 168,275 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
- Risk
- DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
- 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 NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Dec 10, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V621000 · 228,236 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
- Risk
- IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- 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 CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Not every 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Volkswagen Jetta buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 123 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 60 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Engine — 55 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 88,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Jetta years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Jetta | 34 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2025 Jetta | 33 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 32 |
| 2024 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 46 |
| 2023 Jetta | 35 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 43 |
| 2022 Jetta | 35 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 43 |
| 2021 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 70 |
| 2020 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 54 |
| 2019 Jetta | 34 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 11 | 550 |
| 2018 Jetta | 33 | – | ★★★★★ | 2 | 32 |
| 2017 Jetta | 33 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 160 |
| 2016 Jetta | 44 | 183.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 164 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →