Model year record

2010 Volkswagen GTI

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 68 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V333000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component: Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 16,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2009-08-20
Owners notified: 2009-10-20

Defect description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.

Safety risk

THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine	17	80,000 mi
Power train	9	70,000 mi
Electrical system	7	49,800 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	5	300 mi
Engine and engine cooling	4	9,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	59,500 mi
Air bags	2	71,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	85,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	10 mi
Seat belts	2	55,000 mi
Service brakes	2	123,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	72,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	1	13,200 mi
Equipment	1	250 mi
Exterior lighting	1	49,800 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline	1	6,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	10,000 mi
Steering	1	92,000 mi
Tires	1	55,000 mi
Unknown or other	1	90,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	12,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	43,000 mi

The 2009 model has about a quarter as many complaints as this one. The 2011 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA18003Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.