2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI

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

Volkswagen Golf/GTI
Pictured: 2020 Volkswagen Golf Style 1.5 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl
Horsepower
140–170 hp
Transmission
automatic, 6-speed manual
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel, Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 29 city / 39 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
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).
  • Few owner complaints20 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 139 for similar models.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 5-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

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 $2,600 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2010

  • New diesel version
  • Engine added: 2.5L 5-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 25 to 32

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

Trims, performance & features

Engine170 hp2.5L 5-cyl
Engine140 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic · 6-speed manual

Built in: Wolfsburg, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2010 Golf/GTI configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Golf Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 39 / 32+36%$3,000315
Golf Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+36%$3,000318
GTI2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27+14%$3,050329
Golf2.5L 5-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26+10%$2,600342
Golf2.5L 5-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25+6%$2,700355
GTI2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25+6%$3,300355
Spend $1,000Fuel 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 Golf/GTI under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (this car)32 MPGNot rated4
2010 Toyota Corolla30 MPGNot rated15
2010 Honda Civic42 MPGNot rated8
2010 Honda Accord25 MPGNot rated13
2010 Chevrolet Camaro22 MPGNot rated1
2010 Mazda 328 MPGNot rated0
2010 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport22 MPGNot rated0

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.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

20Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
105,199 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags10
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)4
Engine3
Electrical System2
Seat Belts2
Service Brakes2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 115/12: 116/05: 116/08: 116/11: 116/12: 217/01: 117/03: 117/07: 118/03: 118/04: 118/05: 120/07: 120/10: 121/09: 122/07: 124/06: 124/07: 126/10: 115/0116/0817/0118/0320/0722/0726/10max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2010 Volkswagen Golf/GTI buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 10 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 4 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. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 4 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,199 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 Golf/GTI. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Golf/GTI years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Golf/GTI28–Not rated00
2026 Golf/GTI27168.9 inNot rated00
2025 Golf/GTI27168.9 inNot rated00
2024 Golf/GTI27168.9 inNot rated00
2023 Golf/GTI28–Not rated011
2022 Golf/GTI28–Not rated081
2021 Golf/GTI33–★★★★★17
2020 Golf/GTI32–★★★★★26
2019 Golf/GTI32–★★★★★663
2018 Golf/GTI29–★★★★★629
2017 Golf/GTI29–★★★★★5117
2016 Golf/GTI29–★★★★★985

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