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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

What owners actually said

240 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2016
Electrical System

SOMETIMES THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE LIGHT COMES ON AND PREVENTS MY CAR FROM STARTING. WHEN I CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED, IT STARTS BACK UP AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN ON MY WAY HOME, IT DOES IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW HOURS AND SOMETIMES A FEW DAYS. IT US…

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SOMETIMES THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE LIGHT COMES ON AND PREVENTS MY CAR FROM STARTING. WHEN I CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED, IT STARTS BACK UP AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEN ON MY WAY HOME, IT DOES IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW HOURS AND SOMETIMES A FEW DAYS. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. THE MOST RECENT WAS FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016.

NHTSA ODI #10846471

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

50,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CHILD SAFETY LATCH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PART WAS BEING ORDERED FOR THE REPAIR. THE LATCH WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CHILD SAFETY LATCH FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PART WAS BEING ORDERED FOR THE REPAIR. THE LATCH WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10825423

78,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT THE TIPM IS NOT JUST RELATED TO CHRYSLER. THE ROUTAN IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN CHRYSLER AND VW. IT HAS THE BODY OF A VW BODY BUT THE ENGINE IS A CHRYSLER. MY ROUTAN HAS HAD THE TIPM FAIL ON 2/6/2016 AND CONFIRMED BY VW DEALERSHIP. THE VAN HAS THE SAME SIGNS THAT EVERY ONE ELSE WAS REPORTING EXCEP…

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I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT THE TIPM IS NOT JUST RELATED TO CHRYSLER. THE ROUTAN IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN CHRYSLER AND VW. IT HAS THE BODY OF A VW BODY BUT THE ENGINE IS A CHRYSLER. MY ROUTAN HAS HAD THE TIPM FAIL ON 2/6/2016 AND CONFIRMED BY VW DEALERSHIP. THE VAN HAS THE SAME SIGNS THAT EVERY ONE ELSE WAS REPORTING EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE NEVER SHUT OFF WHILE. IT HAS THE SIGNS OF THE ENGINE NOT WANTING TO TURN OVER, DASH LIGHTS NOT WANTING TO WORK PROPERLY AND NOW THE HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING ON LOW OR HIGH BEAMS. THE HEAD LIGHTS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS. THE ENGINE NOT WORKING HAPPENS WHEN WE COME OUT OF THE STORES FROM SHOPPING, FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND SAME WITH THE WINDOWS AND DOORS OPENING WHEN NOT IS USE. I RESEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT OTHER ROUTANS AND THEY HAVE CHRYSLER TIPM IN THEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY ROUTAN'S HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED BECAUSE IT IS A CHRYSLER PRODUCT BUT IT HAS A VW NAME ON IT. IT WAS MADE IN THE CHRYSLER WINDSOR PLANT IN CANADA. THIS ALL STARTED IN LATE DECEMBER OF 2014 AND IT WAS OFF AND ON SINCE THEN. THE HEADLIGHTS PROBLEM IS NEW BUT THE ENGINE, DOORS AND WINDOWS ARE OFF/ON ISSUE TOO.

NHTSA ODI #10824978

71,000 miles · Feb 1, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING IN LOW GEARS (2ND, 3RD) CAR WILL STALL OUT. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTIONING, MAKING THE CARE VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SCARY WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW/ICE. MAKING WITH EVEN MORE DANGEROUS IS STALLING WHILE ON BACK ROADS OR CURVES, IF I'M STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, A…

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WHILE DRIVING IN LOW GEARS (2ND, 3RD) CAR WILL STALL OUT. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTIONING, MAKING THE CARE VERY DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SCARY WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW/ICE. MAKING WITH EVEN MORE DANGEROUS IS STALLING WHILE ON BACK ROADS OR CURVES, IF I'M STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, ANOTHER CAR MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO STOP AND RUN INTO ME. JERKING MOVEMENTS ARE ALSO OCCURING WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN NOT ACCELERATING, LIKE CAR IS GOING TO STALL. VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, BUT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON OTHER 2010 ROUTANS.

NHTSA ODI #10823571

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

64,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ESP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ESP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10818389

84,000 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WERE LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WERE LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10794747

50,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
Electrical System

DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AUTOMATIC LOCK STOPPED WORKING. LOCK DOES NOT GO UP VIA REMOTE KEY FOB OR BY INTERNAL LOCK SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK IS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE VIA A DIFFERENT DOOR AND USE THE MANUAL INTERNAL HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. SOMETIMES THE LOCK DOES NOT GO DOWN EITHER, LEAVING MY CAR UNLOCKED …

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DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR AUTOMATIC LOCK STOPPED WORKING. LOCK DOES NOT GO UP VIA REMOTE KEY FOB OR BY INTERNAL LOCK SWITCH. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK IS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE VIA A DIFFERENT DOOR AND USE THE MANUAL INTERNAL HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. SOMETIMES THE LOCK DOES NOT GO DOWN EITHER, LEAVING MY CAR UNLOCKED AND VULNERABLE TO THEFT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I AM NOT ABLE TO ENTER THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. PLUS I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND MY HANDS ARE OFTEN FULL.

NHTSA ODI #10788762

23,200 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,200.

NHTSA ODI #10788643

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.