← New search

2010 Volkswagen Routan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Routan years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

198 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 150 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
2,800 miles · Jan 15, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL 2011. WE TOOK A FAMILY VACATION IN JUNE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT ITSELF OFF A FEW TIMES WHILE IN MOTION; CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND ALL STEERING. ON THE SAME TRIP, WHEN USING THE KEY FOB, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD FREEZE AND SHUT ITSELF OFF. IT EVEN…

Read full complaint

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL 2011. WE TOOK A FAMILY VACATION IN JUNE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT ITSELF OFF A FEW TIMES WHILE IN MOTION; CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND ALL STEERING. ON THE SAME TRIP, WHEN USING THE KEY FOB, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD FREEZE AND SHUT ITSELF OFF. IT EVENTUALLY TURNS BACK ON AFTER 5 OR SO MINUTES. THE WYNN MODULE WAS REPLACED. BEFORE DEPARTING FOR THE VACATION, WE HAD BRAKE ISSUES WITH THEM MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND , SOMETIMES NO STOPPING POWER. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS. THE PASSENGER SLIDER DOORS HAVE ISSUES. WHEN CLOSING, THE DOOR'S SAFETY MECHANISM WOULD NOT BACK TRACK THE DOORS WHEN IT HIT SOMETHING COMING OR GOING INTO/OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR SHUT ON MY SON! THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MORE TIMES THAN A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD.... DID I MENTION THAT WE STILL HAVE BRAKE ISSUES AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT SEEMS THAT ALL THE DEALERSHIP CAN SAY IS THAT WE CANNOT DUPLICATE THE SITUATION. EACH TIME THAT THE VEHICLE GOES TO THE DEALER, THEY HAVE IT FOR A WEEK OR MORE! I HAVE OWNED CHRYSLER/DODGE PRODUCTS BEFORE THIS AND THIS IS WHY I WENT TO A VW. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DIDN'T DO MY HOMEWORK BEFORE PURCHASING. IT SEEMS THAT THIS VW IS A "CHRYSLER". AS OF TODAY, 15 JANUARY, I AM LOOKING INTO THE "LEMON LAW" AND POSSIBLY SEEKING LEGAL ACTION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THIS VW VEHICLE CAUSES SERIOUS DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, PERSON AND MAYBE EVEN DEATH BEFORE THE NHTSA LOOKS INTO THE VW SITUATIONS?

NHTSA ODI #10443872

18,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WITH A BABY WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE RUNNING AT 60MPH. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY. THE CAR WAS ALSO BACKING UP IF WE DO NOT STEP ON THE HANDBRAKE. THE PREVIOUS DAY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF I STEP ON THE GAS AND THE …

Read full complaint

WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WITH A BABY WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE RUNNING AT 60MPH. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY. THE CAR WAS ALSO BACKING UP IF WE DO NOT STEP ON THE HANDBRAKE. THE PREVIOUS DAY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF I STEP ON THE GAS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ALSO TOLD THEM TO CHECK THOROUGHLY BECAUSE I AM GOING ON A ROADTRIP. THEY CALLED AND SAID THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS AN ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. SERVICE CENTER SHOULD HAVE LOOK INTO THIS BEING THAT IT IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN BEFORE RELEASING THE CAR. ALSO WHEN I CALLED THEIR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY SAID THAT THE NEAREST DEALER WILL NOT TAKE OUR CAR BECAUSE WE NEED AN APPOINTMENT. ( FOR AN EMERGENCY) WHAT DO WE DO, I EVEN TOLD THEM WE HAVE A BABY WITH US AND WE ARE IN A BUSY FREEWAY. WE HAD TO CALL AGAIN AND TELL THEM THE SITUATION. THEN THE DEALER HELPED US. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 9/06 TOLD A GUY NAMED[XXX]. ABOUT THEIR WARRANTY AND SAID TALK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER, DEALERS ARE A PRIVATE OWNED COMPANY. WHO DO WE THEN BRING THE CAR FOR REPAIR FOR CARS UNDER WARRANTY? WHEN I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SEEMS LIKE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS NOT SOMETHING IMPORTANT BUT NOT FOR SOMEBODY LIKE ME WHO DRIVES WITH A BABY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ODI #10423967

12,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER PLACING IT IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER PLACING IT IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT SHE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399790

8,400 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTEN UP. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT TURNED BACK ON WITH NO PROBLEM. A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 03/09/11 AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. MY STEERIN…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTEN UP. I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT TURNED BACK ON WITH NO PROBLEM. A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 03/09/11 AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SO TIGHT THAT I COULD NOT MAKE THE TURN AND HAD TO DRIFT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE THE TURN. AGAIN THE CAR TURNED BACK ON. MY CAR ALSO FREQUENTLY STALLS IMMEDIATELY UPON TURNING IT ON BUT I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT UNTIL IT STARTED STALLING WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE COMPUTER WAS NOT INDICATING A PROBLEM. THEREFORE THE CAR WAS FINE AND I SHOULD COME AND PICK IT UP. I INFORMED THEM WHEN I DROPPED THE CAR OFF THAT I READ ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A PENDING RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS RELEASED ON 03/10/11; HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH UNTIL THE RECALL WAS OFFICIAL SOMETIME IN APRIL BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED. I HAVE FILED A COMPLIANT WITH VW AND AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE REGIONAL MANAGER.

NHTSA ODI #10391248

9,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

2010 ROUTAN WITH LESS THAN 10K MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF LEAVING US WITH NO POWER BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING AND VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO STOP. HE THEN PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. WE TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVI…

Read full complaint

2010 ROUTAN WITH LESS THAN 10K MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF LEAVING US WITH NO POWER BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING AND VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF THE CAR. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE CAR TO STOP. HE THEN PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. WE TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE. THE SAME THING HAD HAPPENED TO ME THE DAY BEFORE AND AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES BEFORE THAT. I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING I WAS DOING. VW SERVICE CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY CAN KEEP IT UNTIL THEY DO. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND WILL NOT TRUST OUR LIVES OR THE LIVES OF OUR CHILD AND FRIENDS IN THIS CAR. I HAVE HEARD MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. I HAVE CONTACTED VW AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND WAITING FOR A CALL BACK. ALSO WAITING FOR NEWS ON OUR VEHICLE..DAY 2 AT THE SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384398

Official recalls

2

15V194000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Apr 1, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured June 25, 2008, to July 8, 2009, and 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured October 1, 2009, to August 11, 2010. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H1. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 11V151 and 14V396. Vehicles that previously received an ignition switch trim ring as a recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign. Vehicles that have already received a new ignition switch are not covered by this campaign.

11V151000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Mar 1, 2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2009 THROUGH JUNE 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT IGNITION KEY DISPLACEMENT FROM THE RUN TO ACCESSORY POSITION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN ENGINE SHUTTING OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIN MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.