2010 Volkswagen Passat

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

Volkswagen Passat
Pictured: VW Passat Variant Elegance (B9) – f 18052025. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
2.0t 4dr Sedan FWD, 2.0t 4dr Wagon FWD, 3.6 4motion 4dr Sedan AWD, 3.6 4motion 4dr Wagon AWD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
188.2–189 in
Curb weight
3,206–3,953 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 188 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,206 lb (2.0t 4dr Sedan FWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 13% better than the 2010 midsize car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2010

  • Best combined MPG up from 23 to 25

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Passat →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2.0t 4dr Sedan FWD188.2 in71.7 in57.9 in106.7 in60.6 / 60.2 in3,206 lb59/41
2.0t 4dr Wagon FWD188.2 in71.7 in57.9 in106.7 in60.2 / 59.4 in3,512 lb59/41
3.6 4motion 4dr Sedan AWD188.2 in71.7 in57.9 in106.7 in60.6 / 60.2 in3,829 lb59/41
3.6 4motion 4dr Wagon AWD188.2 in71.7 in57.9 in106.7 in60.2 / 59.4 in3,953 lb58/42
Cc 4dr Sedan 2.0t/3.6/Highline V6189 in73.2 in55.9 in106.7 in60.6 / 61 in3,373 lb59/41

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
Passat2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25+13%$3,300355
Passat Wagon2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25+19%$3,300355
Spend $4,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.2 MPG2010 Midsize 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 Passat under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Volkswagen Passat (this car)25 MPGNot rated4
2010 Toyota Corolla30 MPGNot rated15
2010 Honda Accord25 MPGNot rated13
2010 Toyota Camry34 MPGNot rated8
2010 Nissan GT-R17 MPGNot rated0
2010 Chevrolet Malibu29 MPGNot rated3
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer26 MPGNot rated7

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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 supersedes recall 16V-078.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Aug 16, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V509000 · 280,915 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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 › 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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Aug 4, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles

Problem
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 that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk
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.
Fix
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 free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported problems

140Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
85,600 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags48
Engine42
Fuel/Propulsion System26
Electrical System19
Power Train17
Steering13
Unknown Or Other11
Exterior Lighting3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/12: 220/01: 220/02: 120/03: 120/04: 120/05: 220/06: 320/07: 120/08: 120/09: 120/12: 221/02: 121/07: 121/08: 221/10: 121/11: 122/09: 123/01: 123/07: 123/08: 224/01: 124/03: 124/10: 126/03: 119/1220/0320/0620/0921/0721/1123/0724/03max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Volkswagen Passat buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 48 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 42 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 26 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.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 85,600 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 Passat. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Passat years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2022 Passat28193.7 in★★★★★013
2021 Passat28193.7 in★★★★★118
2020 Passat27193.7 in★★★★★318
2019 Passat29191.7 in★★★★★112
2018 Passat29191.7 in★★★★★446
2017 Passat27191.7 in★★★★★7110
2016 Passat29191.7 inNot rated5106
2015 Passat34191.7 inNot rated7243
2014 Passat34191.7 inNot rated10565
2013 Passat34191.7 inNot rated9670
2012 Passat34191.7 inNot rated11415
2009 Passat23188.2 inNot rated3116

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