NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
23 reportsClear category filter106,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering
MY VAN HAS SHUT OFF TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING. BOTH EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TURNING RIGHT, AT A SLOW SPEED ON CITY STREETS (ONE TIME WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE). I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE ENGINE APPEARS TO SHUT DOWN (RADIO REMAINS ON). WHEN I FIRST TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULDN'T AND THEN THE SECOND ATTEM…
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MY VAN HAS SHUT OFF TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING. BOTH EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TURNING RIGHT, AT A SLOW SPEED ON CITY STREETS (ONE TIME WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE). I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE ENGINE APPEARS TO SHUT DOWN (RADIO REMAINS ON). WHEN I FIRST TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULDN'T AND THEN THE SECOND ATTEMPT SOUNDED UNUSUAL BUT IT DID START. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL. BOTH TIMES WERE IN GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, DUE TO MY RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE, I ONLY USE THE FOB WITH NOTHING ELSE HANGING FROM IT. IN ADDITION, I ALSO HAVE THE ISSUE OF THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY NOT STARTING. I USUALLY GET IT TO START BY FIDDLING WITH THE SHIFTER. OF COURSE, MY VAN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE IGNITION MODULE RECALL, WHICH IS COMPLETELY ABSURD AS IT IS CLEARLY HAPPENING TO A LOT OF US. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS VAN EXCEPT FOR THESE TWO MAJOR ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #11141053
130,000 miles · Mar 7, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
2010 VOLKSWAGON ROUTAN HAS STOPPED IN MID TRAFFIC GOING 30-40 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. LIGHTS AND AUDIO HAVE FLICKERED, THEN TURN OFF. CAR SPONTANEOUSLY STARTS AND STOPS ANY GIVEN TIME IN MOTION AND STANDING STILL, AND CANNOT BE JUMPED TO REVIVE. HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR WITH MY CHILDREN AND HAVE HAD IT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD…
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2010 VOLKSWAGON ROUTAN HAS STOPPED IN MID TRAFFIC GOING 30-40 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. LIGHTS AND AUDIO HAVE FLICKERED, THEN TURN OFF. CAR SPONTANEOUSLY STARTS AND STOPS ANY GIVEN TIME IN MOTION AND STANDING STILL, AND CANNOT BE JUMPED TO REVIVE. HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR WITH MY CHILDREN AND HAVE HAD IT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE HAVE HAD IT LESS THAN A YEAR, COMPLETELY UNSAFE. TOLD THE EXACT RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO MY VIN#.
NHTSA ODI #11076779
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2016
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CRANKING SOUND WHEN RIGHT TURNS AND LEFT TURN IS MADE. APPARENT THAT AN ACCIDENT CAN EASILY OCCUR IF THIS PERSISTS. THE DEALERSHIP IN GREATNECK NY WAS NOT ABLE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND TURNS ARE MADE BY THE DRIVER. THIS…
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THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CRANKING SOUND WHEN RIGHT TURNS AND LEFT TURN IS MADE. APPARENT THAT AN ACCIDENT CAN EASILY OCCUR IF THIS PERSISTS. THE DEALERSHIP IN GREATNECK NY WAS NOT ABLE CORRECT THIS PROBLEM DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND TURNS ARE MADE BY THE DRIVER. THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED OVER THE YEARS - SOMETIME IN AUGUST 2012, I BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR A PROBLEM RELATED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. I STILL HAVE A RELATED PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY 5 CHILDREN. BECUASE THE DEALER COULD NOT RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS NOW AROSE AGAIN. THIS COMPLAINT IS NOW SUBMITTED. I DO HAVE AN INVOICE WHICH STATES MY COMPLAINT BACK IN 2012.
NHTSA ODI #10924318
50,000 miles · Mar 4, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10839827
80,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
EngineService BrakesSteering
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR THAT RECEIVED A RECALL. THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF, LOSES POWER AND ALL STEERING, BRAKING AND SO ON. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY DANGEROUS. THE OTHER VEHICLES IN THIS YEAR ALL HAD BAD IGNITION SWITCHES BUT VW REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS LIKE…
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MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR THAT RECEIVED A RECALL. THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF, LOSES POWER AND ALL STEERING, BRAKING AND SO ON. IT MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY DANGEROUS. THE OTHER VEHICLES IN THIS YEAR ALL HAD BAD IGNITION SWITCHES BUT VW REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS LIKE IT OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THEY NEED TO EXPAND THIS RECALL TO INCLUDE MORE VEHICLES OF THE 2010 MODEL. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND IS SCARY WHEN IT JUST CUTS OUT ON YOU WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING 30-40 MPH PLUS.
NHTSA ODI #10821085
90,000 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering
IN APRIL 2015 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2010 VW ROUTAN, MAYBE A WEEK OR SO LATER IT STARTED TO STALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT TO AN IMPORT DEALER LOCALLY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS BAD. THEY REPLACED IT, WHICH COST ME $400, AND PUT A NEW GAS CAP ON IT. IN JULY THE ENGINE LIGHT CA…
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IN APRIL 2015 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2010 VW ROUTAN, MAYBE A WEEK OR SO LATER IT STARTED TO STALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT TO AN IMPORT DEALER LOCALLY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE EGR VALVE WAS BAD. THEY REPLACED IT, WHICH COST ME $400, AND PUT A NEW GAS CAP ON IT. IN JULY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, HAD THE CODES RUN AT A PARTS STORE AND IT WAS THE EGR VALVE AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP THAT DID THE FIRST REPAIR BECAUSE IT STILL HAD A PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTEE WITH THEM. THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN. NOW, IN SEPTEMBER, MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND AGAIN IT SAYS IT'S THE EGR VALVE. I HAVE CALLED THE SHOP TO GET IT IN TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN, WAITING ON A CALL BACK. THIS ISSUE IS QUITE SCARY BECAUSE IT HAS AND PROBABLY WILL AGAIN STALL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TRY TO PULL OVER AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO RESTART IT. I CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE IT TO A VW DEALERSHIP AT MY OWN COST TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, AND BASICALLY TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNOW, I AM NOT SPENDING ANOTHER $400 TO REPLACE THIS VALVE WHEN I HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT ONCE THIS YEAR. BECAUSE I REFUSE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT ARE COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL SHOP WARRANTEE VW REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10763450
70,000 miles · Aug 5, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering
MY MINI-VAN SHUT OFF/ STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. EVERY TIME IT STALLED I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION ZONE OR IN FRONT OF A LIGHT WHERE I HAD TO PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FOR OVER 30 SECONDS. I SEND IT TO VW SERVICE FOR REPAIR BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I AM TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I…
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MY MINI-VAN SHUT OFF/ STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. EVERY TIME IT STALLED I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION ZONE OR IN FRONT OF A LIGHT WHERE I HAD TO PRESSED THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FOR OVER 30 SECONDS. I SEND IT TO VW SERVICE FOR REPAIR BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I AM TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS THE NEXT TIME IT WILL STALL AGAIN WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10746539
26,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Service BrakesSteeringWheels
2010 ROUTAN WITH 26K MILES PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND MOST LIKELY HAS DONE SO SINCE I BOUGHT IT SINCE THE TIRES NEED REPLACING. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 18K AND NOW NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN. VW DENIES THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH VEHICLES PULLING TO THE RIGHT. OPENED CASE 130240300 WITH VW. THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE COST TO DIAGNOSE T…
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2010 ROUTAN WITH 26K MILES PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND MOST LIKELY HAS DONE SO SINCE I BOUGHT IT SINCE THE TIRES NEED REPLACING. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 18K AND NOW NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN. VW DENIES THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH VEHICLES PULLING TO THE RIGHT. OPENED CASE 130240300 WITH VW. THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE COST TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PULLING AND TIRE WEAR. RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS POSTINGS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505990
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2012
SteeringSuspension
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR AND TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER. ALIGNMENT PERFORMED EACH TIME, BUT VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO RIGHT. DEALER AND VWOA STATE THAT BECAUSE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN SPEC THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. I INDICATED THAT PROBLEM IS LIKELY WITH STEERING RACK, …
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VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR AND TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER. ALIGNMENT PERFORMED EACH TIME, BUT VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO RIGHT. DEALER AND VWOA STATE THAT BECAUSE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN SPEC THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. I INDICATED THAT PROBLEM IS LIKELY WITH STEERING RACK, SUSPENSION OR SUB FRAME, BUT DEALER AND VWOA INSISTED THAT BECAUSE ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN SPEC THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY WILL DO. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND DRIVING VEHICLE REQUIRES CONSTANT PRESSURE ON WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457247
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…
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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
2Apr 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.
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 ↗