2010 Volkswagen Jetta

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

Volkswagen Jetta
Pictured: 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL, front 3.28.25. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan 2.5/2.0tdi/2.0tsi179.1 in70.1 in57.5 in101.6 in60.2 / 58.3 in3,230 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Jetta Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 39 / 32+36%$3,000315
Jetta Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+36%$3,000318
Jetta SportWagen Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 39 / 32+32%$3,000315
Jetta SportWagen Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+32%$3,000318
Jetta2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27+14%$3,050329
Jetta2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25+6%$3,300355
Jetta2.5L 5-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25+6%$2,700355
Jetta2.5L 5-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 25+6%$2,700355
Jetta SportWagen2.5L 5-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25+3%$2,700355
Jetta SportWagen2.5L 5-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 25+3%$2,700355
Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.6 MPG2010 Compact Cars average

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

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Volkswagen Jetta (this car)32 MPGNot rated4
2010 Toyota Corolla30 MPGNot rated15
2010 Honda Civic42 MPGNot rated8
2010 Ford Mustang21 MPGNot rated5
2010 Nissan GT-R17 MPGNot rated0
2010 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated10
2010 Mazda 328 MPGNot rated0

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

344Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
10Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
7Injuries reported
88,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System123
Fuel/Propulsion System60
Engine55
Service Brakes44
Unknown Or Other42
Power Train34
Air Bags23
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)19
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/03: 221/04: 121/05: 221/06: 121/07: 221/08: 121/10: 221/11: 322/02: 122/03: 122/04: 222/08: 222/11: 122/12: 123/01: 223/05: 123/07: 223/09: 323/10: 124/01: 124/05: 124/07: 225/05: 125/08: 121/0321/0621/1022/0322/1123/0523/1024/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Volkswagen Jetta buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 123 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. 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.
  4. Engine — 55 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 88,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. 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 →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Jetta34–Not rated00
2026 Jetta34185.8 inNot rated16
2025 Jetta33185.8 in★★★★★232
2024 Jetta34185.8 in★★★★★046
2023 Jetta35185.8 in★★★★★043
2022 Jetta35185.8 in★★★★★143
2021 Jetta34185.8 in★★★★★470
2020 Jetta34185.8 in★★★★★654
2019 Jetta34185.8 in★★★★★11550
2018 Jetta33–★★★★★232
2017 Jetta33183.1 in★★★★★6160
2016 Jetta44183.1 in★★★★★4164

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →