2010 Volkswagen Passat — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2010 Volkswagen Passat is a saloon/sedan powered by a 2L 4-cyl turbo premium gasoline engine. It returns around 30 mpg (UK) / 25 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Volkswagen Passat workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 96 cu ft (2,718 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 14 cu ft (396 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 30 combined / 26 urban / 37 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 25 combined / 22 city / 31 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 221 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat, all with the 2L 4-cyl turbo engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (22/31) | 221 | $3,300 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 96 cubic feet (about 2,718 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat
Running Costs: 2010 Volkswagen Passat
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2010 Volkswagen Passat at 30 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,212 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2010 Volkswagen Passat Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Volkswagen Passat (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Fuel system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 18V148000, reported 6 March 2018. 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.
- Fuel system — campaign 17V509000, reported 16 August 2017. Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Air bags — campaign 16V078000, reported 10 February 2016. 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.
- Air bags — campaign 15V483000, reported 4 August 2015. 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.
Owners have filed 172 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Volkswagen Passat. The most-reported areas are Air bags (48), Engine (44), Power train (34). Complaints include 5 reported crashes, 1 reported fire, 2 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 108 complaints across the 12 Volkswagen Passat model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (3 recall campaigns · 48 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Engine (44 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Fuel system (1 recall campaign · 27 owner complaints) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Transmission & drivetrain (34 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Volkswagen models in our database average about 33 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2010 Volkswagen Passat's 30 mpg is 3 mpg below that make average.
Of the 12 Volkswagen Passat model years we cover, the 2010 ranks 12th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (30 mpg UK combined, against a high of 41 mpg). See every Volkswagen Passat year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat have?
It's fitted with a 2L 4-cyl turbo premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
The most efficient configuration returns around 30 mpg (UK) combined, or 25 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Volkswagen Passat (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Fuel system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2010 Volkswagen Passat?
Among the 172 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (48 complaints), Engine (44 complaints), Power train (34 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2010 Volkswagen Passat have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 96 cubic feet (about 2,718 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.