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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
33,100 miles · Apr 8, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 72 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,100.

NHTSA ODI #10507489

40,000 miles · Apr 8, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TR UPDATED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TR UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ UPDATED 06/25/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10507436

11,418 miles · Nov 5, 2012
Exterior LightingPower TrainService BrakesFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE REAR ROTORS BECAME WARPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS FOUR TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE ABRUPTLY WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. ADDITIONALLY, TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE REAR ROTORS BECAME WARPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS FOUR TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE ABRUPTLY WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAME OVERHEATED AND BURNED SEVERAL TIMES. THE PLASTIC ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN LACERATIONS TO THE RIGHT HAND AND FINGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER WHERE ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURES WOULD LIKELY RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,418 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,470.

NHTSA ODI #10483410

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY(FREEWAY) AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON US FROM 65-0 IN SECONDS, IT TOOL ABOUT A MINUTE AND IT CAME BACK UP THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES . ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT ID THE SAME THIS TIME WHEN WE FIRST TURNED ON THE VAN. ABOUT MARCH TIME FRAME THE VAN WOULD NOT START ANYMORE AFTER A LONG TRIP AWAY F…

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WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY(FREEWAY) AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON US FROM 65-0 IN SECONDS, IT TOOL ABOUT A MINUTE AND IT CAME BACK UP THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES . ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT ID THE SAME THIS TIME WHEN WE FIRST TURNED ON THE VAN. ABOUT MARCH TIME FRAME THE VAN WOULD NOT START ANYMORE AFTER A LONG TRIP AWAY FROM HOME THE CABLES HAD BEEN ERODED AND SEVERELY DAMAGED TO THE POINT OF NO POWER GOING TO THE VAN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRIC CABLES BUT ABOUT 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER THE SAME EROSION STARTED TO HAPPEN. WE CONTINUED TO INFORM VW ABOUT THE ISSUES AND THEY ALWAYS SAID THE SAME BRING IT IN WHEN IT HAPPENS. WE FINALLY HAD TO GET RID OF THE VAN WE CAN NOT AFFORD A FATALITY TO TRY AND PROVE A POINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481353

38,000 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Power Train

THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED 8/22/2012. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AND WOULD REV. HAD TO BE TOWED. BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. 9/22/12. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. WAS GOING UP HILL AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REV AND NOT CLICK INTO GEAR. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 200 MILES BACK HO…

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THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED 8/22/2012. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AND WOULD REV. HAD TO BE TOWED. BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. 9/22/12. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. WAS GOING UP HILL AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REV AND NOT CLICK INTO GEAR. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 200 MILES BACK HOME. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP. THEY REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION. GOT IT BACK. STILL WASN'T DRIVING RIGHT IT WAS VIBRATING AND MAKING A NOISE. I INSISTED IT WAS NOT CORRECT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO FIGURE OUT THAT ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS SHEARED OFF BECAUSE THEY THREADED THE ENGINE WRONG WHEN THEY PUT MY ENGINE BACK AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480626

20,500 miles · Jun 26, 2012
StructureInjury

WHEN CLOSING THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, MY DAUGHTER REACHED BACK IN AND THE DOOR CLOSED 4 FINGERS IN IT. THE DOOR IS SUPPOSED TO OPEN BACK UP WHEN IT SENSES THAT SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY OF IT CLOSING. IN THIS CASE, IT FULLY LATCHED AND STAYED CLOSED WITH HER FINGERS STUCK IN IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10463167

29,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

THIS IS THE THIRD EXPERIENCE WE HAVE HAD OF OUR CAR SHUTTING OFF ALL OF THE SUDDEN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I COULD HARDLY PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE WHEN IT SHUT OFF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER OF THE ROAD. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS IN TOWN AND ALSO HAD A HARD TIME PULLING …

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THIS IS THE THIRD EXPERIENCE WE HAVE HAD OF OUR CAR SHUTTING OFF ALL OF THE SUDDEN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I COULD HARDLY PULL THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE WHEN IT SHUT OFF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER OF THE ROAD. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS IN TOWN AND ALSO HAD A HARD TIME PULLING OVER. AFTER EACH INCIDENT I HAD TO TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT. THEN IT SEEMED TO BE OK UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459663

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

50 miles · Feb 6, 2012
Structure

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENS THEN IMMEDIATELY CLOSES AND RISKS TRAPPING EXITING PASSENGERS. THE ISSUE DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE DOOR ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN SEVERAL TIMES BUT ACCORDING TO THEM "IT WORKS AS DESIGNED". IT HAS ALMOST TRAPPED O…

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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENS THEN IMMEDIATELY CLOSES AND RISKS TRAPPING EXITING PASSENGERS. THE ISSUE DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE DOOR ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN SEVERAL TIMES BUT ACCORDING TO THEM "IT WORKS AS DESIGNED". IT HAS ALMOST TRAPPED OUR DAUGHTER AND ELDERLY RELATIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446844

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…

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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

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.