2010 Volkswagen Gti recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.…
What could happen: THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2010 GTI.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09V333000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-822-8987.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Notes: VW RECALL NO. 37E3/S7 & AUDI RECALL NO. 37E5/J7. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (23), Transmission / drivetrain (14), Electrical system (9), Fuel system (5), Brakes (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/14/2024 · Seat belts
The seatbelt is failing as it does not retract back into its holder and I am uncertain as to how safe and effective it is. Note that I have not done anything to cause this damage to it, it is through use and time. Volkswagen Group should approve fixes to it without additional cost to the customer.
03/04/2024 · Brakes · crash
under emergency braking at around 70mph all 4 wheels locked up and abs/traction lights illuminated on dash. Caused a minor accident and flat spot on all 4 tires. ABS did not work. This is a know recall for 2009 models of the same vehicle. I replicated the issue a second time at a slower speed on a secluded road with the same results. There are numerous comp…
12/06/2022 · Forward Collision Avoidance
About a month ago, while driving , the abs light, brake light and ESP light came on. After about 2 weeks of troubleshooting, a local mechanic troubleshot the issues to a faulty ABS module. After many phone calls with my local VW dealership I was able to set an appointment for a diagnostic. They determined " Diag ABS system no communication advised on replac…
06/27/2022 · Electrical system
Steering lock mechanism has broke twice. Key cannot be removed from steering lock causing it to run and not able to turn off. Once car eventually can be turned off or dies you can no longer remove the key or start the car.
06/02/2021 · Engine
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started jerking and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold was faulty and needed to be…
04/22/2021 · Electrical system
WHEN HOT TRANSMISSION IS GETTING STUCK! WHEN WARM I CANNOT GO ONTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTER IS IN R PUSHING THE GAS DOES NOT GET IT TO MOVE! ALSO WHEN DRIVING WILL D ON DASH BOARD WILL START BLINKING AND WILL NO LONGER SWITCH GEARS ACCELERATOR WILL GO INTO RED! I NEED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING! I HAVE READ ONLY THAT OTHER VW MODELS HAD RE…
03/04/2021 · Transmission / drivetrain
MY VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY GO FROM BEING IN DRIVE TO ACTING LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. AND WILL NOT MOVE OR GO ANYWHERE. AND THIS ALL HAPPENENED WHEN I WAS IN DR9VE DRVING DOWN THE ROAD.
02/08/2021 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. T…