MY CAR RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL GET STUCK IN A GEAR AND IT WON'T SHIFT. THE CAR CAN BE IN MOTION OR EVEN STATIONARY (STOP LIGHT) WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Routan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Power Train complaints
22 reportsAROUND 108000 MILES, MY 2010 ROUTAN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING INTO GEARS 2, 3, 4. SOMETIMES IT SHIFTS SMOOTHLY BUT MORE OFTEN IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO JERK ALL PASSENGERS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TRIED ECO MODE WITH SAME RESULTS. DRIVING NORMAL IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE THAN WHEN SPEEDING UP QUICKLY. 3RD GEAR IS THE WORST AN…
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AROUND 108000 MILES, MY 2010 ROUTAN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING INTO GEARS 2, 3, 4. SOMETIMES IT SHIFTS SMOOTHLY BUT MORE OFTEN IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO JERK ALL PASSENGERS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TRIED ECO MODE WITH SAME RESULTS. DRIVING NORMAL IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE THAN WHEN SPEEDING UP QUICKLY. 3RD GEAR IS THE WORST AND IS HARD ENOUGH TO THROW YOU FORWARD CAUSING YOU TO SWERVE SOMETIMES. IT'S THE SAME RESULTS IN TOWN, ON HIGHWAY, AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. NOW HAS 129000 MILES AND GETTING WORSE. THERE ARE OTHER TIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT UP AND WOULD OVER REV BEFORE SHIFTING UP. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON I 66 IN VIRGINIA AND GOT STUCK IN TRAFFIC DUE TO AN EARLIER ACCIDENT. CAR WENT FOR ABOUT A MILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED TO REV UP AND JUMPED INTO GEAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING WAS STUCK, SO I PUT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND RESTARTED IT. IT DID IT AGAI…
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I WAS DRIVING ON I 66 IN VIRGINIA AND GOT STUCK IN TRAFFIC DUE TO AN EARLIER ACCIDENT. CAR WENT FOR ABOUT A MILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED TO REV UP AND JUMPED INTO GEAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING WAS STUCK, SO I PUT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND RESTARTED IT. IT DID IT AGAIN AFTER DOING IT FOR ABOUT 5 TIMES, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAD 135000. MILES ON IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS AT ALL CAME ON. MY MECHANIC HAD JUST FIXED IT TWO WEEKS BEFORE FOR THE HEATER HOSE CRACKING AFTER BEING REPLACED A YEAR AGO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN BEING OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILEY VOLKSWAGEN OF ARLINGTON (1461 E INTERSTATE 20, ARLINGTON, TX 76018, (817) 575-6000) …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN BEING OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILEY VOLKSWAGEN OF ARLINGTON (1461 E INTERSTATE 20, ARLINGTON, TX 76018, (817) 575-6000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
VEHICLE STATIONARY IN PARK. GEAR SLIPPED AND CAR DROVE BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL, STOPPED, THEN SLIPPED INTO DRIVE AND DROVE ITSELF INTO LAKE. MY DOG CRATED IN BACK. SHE DROWNED. INCLINE WAS SLIGHT. GRAVEL. ASHE COUNTY PARK JEFFERSON NC. I WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR TRYING TO CRATE MY OTHER DOG WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGE OF GEARS JERKS THE VEHICLE DURING 1-3 GEARS. IN ECO MODE SAME JERKING OF TRANSMISSION. VW STATES IT IS A TOWN AND COUNTRY PROBLEM THAT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP MUST RE-CODE THE TRANSMISSION.
VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN 2010 WILL TURN OFF WHILE IN MOTION, ON HIGHWAY, STREET, OR WHEN STATIONARY. CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC AND WILL NOT ADJUST TO THE PROPER GEAR WHEN DRIVING. WHEN IN DRIVE THE CAR WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL BACKWARDS AND WILL NOT KICK INTO FIRST GEAR. THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM NEVER WORKS PROPERLY AND IS CONST…
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VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN 2010 WILL TURN OFF WHILE IN MOTION, ON HIGHWAY, STREET, OR WHEN STATIONARY. CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC AND WILL NOT ADJUST TO THE PROPER GEAR WHEN DRIVING. WHEN IN DRIVE THE CAR WILL ACT AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND ROLL BACKWARDS AND WILL NOT KICK INTO FIRST GEAR. THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM NEVER WORKS PROPERLY AND IS CONSTANTLY NEEDING NEW BATTERIES VERY FEW MONTHS. THIS CAR IS UNSTABLE, UNSAFE, AND UNRELIABLE! THE VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN 2010 NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND SHUT OFF, THE VEHICLE REVERSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER: PE09035, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND SHUT OFF, THE VEHICLE REVERSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER: PE09035, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,678.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND THE SPEED FLUCTUATED INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND THE SPEED FLUCTUATED INDEPENDENTLY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V151000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE RECALL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Official recalls
215V194000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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