NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
150 reportsClear category filter125,000 miles · Jun 25, 2021
Electrical SystemFire
The contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle independently caught on fire. There was no crash nor injury due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The v…
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The contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle independently caught on fire. There was no crash nor injury due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and deemed the vehicle as a total loss. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #11422327
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I purchased this vehicle in March of 2015 when my vehicle shut down and rebooted itself while driving. Since 2019-present, my vehicle shuts off while driving and will restart back up maybe 5 mins, an hour or so later. The ABS, check engine, airbag, and other lights on the dashboards come on and remain on, in which, my car begins…
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I purchased this vehicle in March of 2015 when my vehicle shut down and rebooted itself while driving. Since 2019-present, my vehicle shuts off while driving and will restart back up maybe 5 mins, an hour or so later. The ABS, check engine, airbag, and other lights on the dashboards come on and remain on, in which, my car begins to make a beeping sound. the headlights, wipers, and sometimes my horn goes on and off by itself. When my vehicle shuts off, so does my ability to steer the wheel, it locks up. when I turn the air on in the car, my car begins to shake as well. Also, I have replaced my car battery, alternator, and starter two times this year and my vehicle still have the same issue.
NHTSA ODI #11421918
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2021
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
The TIPM is failing which is a common issue with the vehicle make/model. My particular vehicle was not covered under any recalls, however, I have the same tell tale TIPM failure issues as all of the cars that were part of the recall. My lights intermittently work which causes a safety hazard. They will either not turn at all, wi…
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The TIPM is failing which is a common issue with the vehicle make/model. My particular vehicle was not covered under any recalls, however, I have the same tell tale TIPM failure issues as all of the cars that were part of the recall. My lights intermittently work which causes a safety hazard. They will either not turn at all, will turn on and start flashing, or will appear to be working as normal until I'm driving and then they will flash off intermittently. This puts anyone in my car as well as oncoming traffic at risk when my lights malfunction at night. The airbag warning indicator light also flashes off and on as well making me think that it may be failing whenever the TIPM is not functioning properly. The door locks and windows have also locked/unlocked and opened/closed at random (even when the vehicle is off and has been parked with the power off for hours). I spoke with the mechanic about all of these issues and he verified that it was likely a failing TIPM and that it is a well-known issue with the Routan. My vehicle is available for inspection any time. Volkswagen and Chrysler know that this is a common issue and yet they have put their customers in danger by not recalling all of the affected vehicles. I am not sure what date to put as the date of incident as this has been ongoing since I have owned the vehicle. I put the current date (as it happened just today) and mileage, however, please understand that this has been an ongoing issue for years and Volkswagen has failed to include my vehicle in any recalls even though this is a well-known issue.
NHTSA ODI #11417971
131,581 miles · Apr 5, 2021
Electrical System
MY VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHIN 5 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 TO 40MPH (USUALLY REQUIRED IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOL ZONES). STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND VEHICLE POWER CUTS COMPLETELY OFF. NO WARNING OR LIGHTS INDICATING THE SHUT OFF!
NHTSA ODI #11406384
109,670 miles · Jan 26, 2021
Electrical System
THE 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN WILL RANDOMLY SHUTOFF. THE VEHICLE HAS SHUTOFF WITH AND WITHOUT AUTO-START AND WHILE PARKED AND WHILE IN GEAR MOVING. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. DURING A FAILURE, THE KEYFOB IS IN THE ON POSITION AND THE DRIVERS ELECTRICAL DISPLAY GOES BLANK WITH NO INDICATORS. TO RESTART, THE KEYFOB IS ROT…
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THE 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN WILL RANDOMLY SHUTOFF. THE VEHICLE HAS SHUTOFF WITH AND WITHOUT AUTO-START AND WHILE PARKED AND WHILE IN GEAR MOVING. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. DURING A FAILURE, THE KEYFOB IS IN THE ON POSITION AND THE DRIVERS ELECTRICAL DISPLAY GOES BLANK WITH NO INDICATORS. TO RESTART, THE KEYFOB IS ROTATED BACK TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN TO START. THE VEHICLE WILL OPERATE NORMALLY UNTIL THE NEXT FAILURE WHICH COULD BE MINUTES, HOURS, DAYS.
NHTSA ODI #11389952
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2021
Electrical System
I HAVE VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN 2010 THE CAR WON'T START I LEAVE THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND NOW I WENT TO START THE CAR THE CAR DON'T WANT TO START NO CRANK NO POWER I HAVE TO START THE CAR WITH THE JUMPER CABLES I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER AND I TEST THE BATTERY AND I TEST THE ALTERNATOR WHICH ARE ALL WORKING FINE I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD …
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I HAVE VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN 2010 THE CAR WON'T START I LEAVE THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND NOW I WENT TO START THE CAR THE CAR DON'T WANT TO START NO CRANK NO POWER I HAVE TO START THE CAR WITH THE JUMPER CABLES I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER AND I TEST THE BATTERY AND I TEST THE ALTERNATOR WHICH ARE ALL WORKING FINE I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM I START THE CAR AGAIN TODAY AND DON'T WANT TO START NOW I'M GOING TO CHANGE THE BATTERY AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPEN. I AM ALREADY TIRED OF THIS CAR I RECENTLY BOUGHT IT EVERYTHING IS FINE WITH THE CAR BUT WON'T START DON'T DO ME ANY GOOD I DON'T KNOW WHY I BOUGHT THIS KIND OF VAN MANY PEOPLE WAS TELLING ME DON'T BUY VOLKSWAGEN GO WITH HONDA ODYSSEY OR TOYOTA SIENNA WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN IS MY WORST EXPERIENCE.NEVER AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11386248
30,000 miles · Nov 13, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
CONTACTED ORLANDO VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH 5474 S. ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL ORLANDO FL 32839 (866) 318-7865 (407) 581-0665 HTTPS://WWW.ORLANDOVWSOUTH.COM WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT DO THE RECALL. CONTACTED DEALER IN 2015 AND NOW WITH NO REMEDY. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WILL TURN OFF AND LOSE ALL POWER. HAS HAPPENED 10 TO 20 TIMES…
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CONTACTED ORLANDO VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH 5474 S. ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL ORLANDO FL 32839 (866) 318-7865 (407) 581-0665 HTTPS://WWW.ORLANDOVWSOUTH.COM WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT DO THE RECALL. CONTACTED DEALER IN 2015 AND NOW WITH NO REMEDY. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WILL TURN OFF AND LOSE ALL POWER. HAS HAPPENED 10 TO 20 TIMES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11374553
202,000 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THEN INDEPENDENTLY RESTART WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THEN INDEPENDENTLY RESTART WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE WITH J. BERTOLET VOLKSWAGEN (555 PA-61, ORWIGSBURG, PA 17961) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE FREE RECALL REPAIR PRIOR TO HER OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 202,000.
NHTSA ODI #11366457
150,000 miles · Oct 12, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Seats
THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING IN LIMESTONE COUNTY ALABAMA. KEYS DON'T START IT NONE OF AUTOMATIC DOORS WILL OPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11363943
132,000 miles · Sep 11, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROX. 30-35 MILES PER HOUR AND MY VAN DIED. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY I WASN'T SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. WITHIN A SPAN OF LESS THAN 2 YEARS IVE ALREADY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE BATTERY, AND THE ALTERNATOR IS STILL NEW AND UNDER WARRANTY. TH…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROX. 30-35 MILES PER HOUR AND MY VAN DIED. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY I WASN'T SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. WITHIN A SPAN OF LESS THAN 2 YEARS IVE ALREADY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE BATTERY, AND THE ALTERNATOR IS STILL NEW AND UNDER WARRANTY. THE IGNITION/POWER WINDOWS FUSE CONSTANTLY NEEDS ADJUSTING SO I CAN ROLL MY WINDOW UP OR DOWN. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON. NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DIE ON ME WHILE DRIVING DUE TO MANUFACTURERS ISSUES. AFTER READING OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES IM VERY CONFIDENT ITS THE TIPM. SOME COMPLAIN THAT THIS COSTS PEOPLE $1 000S ON A CHANCE THAT YOU CAN GET A COUPLE MORE YEARS OUT OF IT. THE VAN WANTS TO TURN OVER AND CONTINUES CRANKING WHEN KEY FOB IS IN IGNITION BUT DOESN'T TURN OVER. I CANNOT GET IT TO START AT ALL.
NHTSA ODI #11354495
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 ↗