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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
21,000 miles · Jan 9, 2012
StructureInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH AND THE DOORS WOULD SLIDE OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE REAR SLIDING DOORS WOULD ALSO CLOSE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT ACTIVATION. A CHILD WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE REAR DOOR CLOSING WITHOUT ACTIVATION A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH AND THE DOORS WOULD SLIDE OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE REAR SLIDING DOORS WOULD ALSO CLOSE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT ACTIVATION. A CHILD WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE REAR DOOR CLOSING WITHOUT ACTIVATION AND CLOSED ON THE CHILD'S BODY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SLIDING DOORS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10443184

6,000 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

AUGUST 11, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. CODES P0038 AND P0032 FOR 02 SENSOR FAULTS POPULATED. THE CODES WERE CLEARED. WE WERE WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY DAY. SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. THE GROUNDS WERE TIGHTENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. A LOANER/RENTA…

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AUGUST 11, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. CODES P0038 AND P0032 FOR 02 SENSOR FAULTS POPULATED. THE CODES WERE CLEARED. WE WERE WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY DAY. SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. THE GROUNDS WERE TIGHTENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 DAYS. DECEMBER 3, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL COMING ON AND OFF. CHECK AND FOUND FAULT CODES STORED FOR REAR 02 SENSOR. THE FAULTY REAR 02 SENSOR WAS REPLACED. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS. FEBRUARY 18, 2011 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL COMING ON. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE ECM WAS RESET AND RECHECKED FOR CODES. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 DAY. MAY 13, 2011 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL COMING ON. THE ROUTAN STALLED OUT TWICE IN ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE WIN MODULE WAS REPLACED AND TWO NEW KEYS WERE PROGRAMMED FOR THE VEHICLE. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS. OCTOBER 31, 2011 THE VEHICLE WAS HUMMING DURING ACCELERATION AND PULLING WITHOUT PROPERLY SWITCHING GEARS. METAL WAS FOUND IN THE PAN BELL, HOUSING AND COMPOUNDS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 13 DAYS. DECEMBER 7, 2011 THE ROUTAN STALLED OUT TWICE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS ISSUED AND WE WERE WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE DAY. DECEMBER 16, 2011 THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION TWICE, ONCE WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND AGAIN WHILE PARKING AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO YOUR DEALERSHIP TO BE TESTED AND REPAIRED. WE WERE ISSUED A LOANER VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011, WE ARE STILL WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440234

12,606 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE REAR ROTORS ARE FOUND TO BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY WHEN BRAKING FROM SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. I FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 3,500 MILES AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE FINE. …

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THE REAR ROTORS ARE FOUND TO BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY WHEN BRAKING FROM SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. I FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 3,500 MILES AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEM AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE FINE. I COMPLAINED AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. FINALLY AT 12,606 MILES I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REQUESTED THAT THEY TEST THE VEHICLE AT 50 MPH, AS ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THEY HAD DRIVEN IT IN THE PARKING LOT AND THE PROBLEM DOES NOT MANIFEST AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR ROTORS IN THAT THE WERE OUT OF SPECIFICATION, I.E. THE WRONG ONES HAD BEEN INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. MY CONCERN IS THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE INCORRECT ROTORS AND I NOW WONDER HOW MANY OTHER ROUTAN VANS LEFT THE FACTORY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THE DEALERSHIP AND DONE A PROPER JOB WHEN I FIRST COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM I WOULD NOT BE CONCERNED AT THE MOMENT. VW COULD HAVE FACED A SEVERE LIABILITY LAWSUIT IF I HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF THE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ROTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434164

6,000 miles · Oct 1, 2011
Electrical System

VW HAS A RECALL ON 2010 ROUTAN VANS ON A PART CALL A WINN MODULE WHICH CONTROLS THE CAR IGNITION. OUR VAN IS ON THE RECALL LIST AND HAS SHUT-OFF TWICE IN TRAFFIC. YOU HAVE NO ENGINE POWER AND LOSE POWER STEERING. ON LOW SPEED ROADS NOT AS BIG A PROBLEM AS ON A FREEWAY WERE IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. OUR VAN HAS BEEN AT S…

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VW HAS A RECALL ON 2010 ROUTAN VANS ON A PART CALL A WINN MODULE WHICH CONTROLS THE CAR IGNITION. OUR VAN IS ON THE RECALL LIST AND HAS SHUT-OFF TWICE IN TRAFFIC. YOU HAVE NO ENGINE POWER AND LOSE POWER STEERING. ON LOW SPEED ROADS NOT AS BIG A PROBLEM AS ON A FREEWAY WERE IT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING. OUR VAN HAS BEEN AT SOUTH TOWN VW AND WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 8 WEEKS FOR A PART THAT SHOULD COME IN NEXT WEEK. RICHARD THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SOUTH TOWN FINALLY ADMITTED THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD COME IN. SO I CALLED VW CORPORATE AND SPOKE WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE, ONE SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A BACKORDER, I INFORMED HIM THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD 30 VANS WAITING FOR THE PART, AT ONE DEALER IN UTAH. FINALLY TODAY, AFTER A WEEK A VW MANAGER NAMED ERIK WALOWKSI CALLED MY WIFE AND SAID THEY HAD NO ETA ON THE PART AND THEY WERE STILL RESEARCHING THE KIND OF BACKORDER IT IS. WHAT A RELIEF THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN PART WILL COME IN AND I HAVE A FAMILY VAN THAT WILL QUIT IN TRAFFIC. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THIS BACKORDER PROBLEM TO BE LOOKED AT BY SOMEONE OTHER THE VW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428106

18,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WITH A BABY WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE RUNNING AT 60MPH. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY. THE CAR WAS ALSO BACKING UP IF WE DO NOT STEP ON THE HANDBRAKE. THE PREVIOUS DAY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF I STEP ON THE GAS AND THE …

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WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WITH A BABY WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE RUNNING AT 60MPH. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY. THE CAR WAS ALSO BACKING UP IF WE DO NOT STEP ON THE HANDBRAKE. THE PREVIOUS DAY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF I STEP ON THE GAS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ALSO TOLD THEM TO CHECK THOROUGHLY BECAUSE I AM GOING ON A ROADTRIP. THEY CALLED AND SAID THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS AN ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. SERVICE CENTER SHOULD HAVE LOOK INTO THIS BEING THAT IT IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN BEFORE RELEASING THE CAR. ALSO WHEN I CALLED THEIR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY SAID THAT THE NEAREST DEALER WILL NOT TAKE OUR CAR BECAUSE WE NEED AN APPOINTMENT. ( FOR AN EMERGENCY) WHAT DO WE DO, I EVEN TOLD THEM WE HAVE A BABY WITH US AND WE ARE IN A BUSY FREEWAY. WE HAD TO CALL AGAIN AND TELL THEM THE SITUATION. THEN THE DEALER HELPED US. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 9/06 TOLD A GUY NAMED[XXX]. ABOUT THEIR WARRANTY AND SAID TALK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER, DEALERS ARE A PRIVATE OWNED COMPANY. WHO DO WE THEN BRING THE CAR FOR REPAIR FOR CARS UNDER WARRANTY? WHEN I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SEEMS LIKE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS NOT SOMETHING IMPORTANT BUT NOT FOR SOMEBODY LIKE ME WHO DRIVES WITH A BABY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ODI #10423967

21,000 miles · Aug 14, 2011
Electrical System

2010 VW ROUTAN VAN. CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES. EACH TIME WE HAVE BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIR WHERE THEY REPLACED IGNITION, KEY, ETC. A NATIONAL RECALL WAS DONE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL. NOW IT'S DONE IT AGAIN AFTER THE RECALL. IT'S IN THE SHOP NOW AND WE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VW USA AN…

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2010 VW ROUTAN VAN. CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING THREE TIMES. EACH TIME WE HAVE BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIR WHERE THEY REPLACED IGNITION, KEY, ETC. A NATIONAL RECALL WAS DONE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL. NOW IT'S DONE IT AGAIN AFTER THE RECALL. IT'S IN THE SHOP NOW AND WE HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VW USA AND DEALER. WE'RE WAITING FOR THEIR DECISION AS WE KNOW FROM OTHER PEOPLE AT THE DEALER IN THE SERVICE DEPT THAT THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND ANOTHER PERSON WE KNOW DIRECTLY WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WILL NOT TAKE THE CAR BACK NO MATTER WHAT. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. WE ARE PREPARED TO TAKE LEGAL LEMON LAW ACTION IF VW DOESN'T DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419373

3,300 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE SENSOR THAT WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE TIRE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THEY INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE AND INFORMED HIM OF THE LOOSE SENSOR WITHIN THE TIRE. THE DEALER NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE SENSOR THAT WAS LOCATED INSIDE THE TIRE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BECOME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THEY INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE AND INFORMED HIM OF THE LOOSE SENSOR WITHIN THE TIRE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300.

NHTSA ODI #10411713

13,000 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Electrical System

VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN (2010) STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING. TWICE I AM DRIVING 55 MILES AN HOUR, ANOTHER TIME DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH. IT DOES RESTART AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UNTIL I CAN RESTART IT! DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411586

12,450 miles · Jun 26, 2011
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

OUR 2010 ROUTAN HAD ENGINE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN JUNE 2010.WE WOULD START THE CAR&THE IGNITION WOULD CLICK BACK OFF. IT HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT OF THE IGNITION TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE ON ROAD IN TRAFFIC,CAUSING CAR TO CRASH INTO CURBS OR FENCES.IT CULMINATED IN A C…

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OUR 2010 ROUTAN HAD ENGINE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN JUNE 2010.WE WOULD START THE CAR&THE IGNITION WOULD CLICK BACK OFF. IT HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT OF THE IGNITION TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE ON ROAD IN TRAFFIC,CAUSING CAR TO CRASH INTO CURBS OR FENCES.IT CULMINATED IN A COLLISION ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO THE IGNITION SHUTTING OFF & WE WERE UNABLE TO PROPERLY BRAKE OR SWERVE AWAY FROM COLLIDING INTO BACK OF CAR. WE HAD INFORMED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OF THE PROBLEM&THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM.MAY WAS THE MOST RECENT TIME WE HAD INFORMED MCKENNA VW TWICE OF THE PROBLEM,ONCE AT A SERVICE APPT&ONCE BY PHONE AFTER CAR HAD COLLIDED WITH CURB AFTER ENGINE FAILED ON STREET.IN JUNE,AFTER COLLISION ON FREEWAY,WE WERE MADE AWARE OF A RECALL ON THE IGNITION OF 2010 ROUTANS. THIS RECALL WAS MADE BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM ON TO ACCESSORY AND THEREBY COULD CAUSE CRASHES .THE AIR BAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE CRASH.THE ROUTAN WAS GOING ROUGHLY 45 MPH AT HAD SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408918

18,000 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

POWER REAR SLIDING DOORS OPEN AND THEN CLOSE WHEN YOU OPEN THEM WITH THE KEY FOB, HANDLE, OR INSIDE SWTICH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE SAFETY FEATURE DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405821

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.