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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
118,646 miles · Jan 11, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, THE IGNITION SWITCH PRODUCED AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, THE IGNITION SWITCH PRODUCED AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11166514

114,200 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

MY VAN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING FOR THE FOURTH TIME. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY NOW THAN BEFORE (WITH 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH). MY VAN IS NOT INCLUDED IN WIN MODULE RECALL AS THE VIN IS A COUPLE OF DIGITS…

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MY VAN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING FOR THE FOURTH TIME. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY NOW THAN BEFORE (WITH 3 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH). MY VAN IS NOT INCLUDED IN WIN MODULE RECALL AS THE VIN IS A COUPLE OF DIGITS OFF. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND SCARY.

NHTSA ODI #11163515

114,000 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

MY VAN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AGAIN. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #11163514

114,000 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

MY VAN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AGAIN. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #11163512

177,300 miles · Nov 8, 2018
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 30MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE AS WELL AS MY ABILITY TO BRAKE WELL. LOOKING ONLINE THEIR WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL YEAR AND MAKE OF VAN FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT PULL UP A RECALL. I CON…

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WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING ABOUT 30MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING WAS GONE AS WELL AS MY ABILITY TO BRAKE WELL. LOOKING ONLINE THEIR WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL YEAR AND MAKE OF VAN FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT PULL UP A RECALL. I CONTACTED VW AND THEY ALSO STATED MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI #11150122

106,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering

MY VAN HAS SHUT OFF TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING. BOTH EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TURNING RIGHT, AT A SLOW SPEED ON CITY STREETS (ONE TIME WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE). I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE ENGINE APPEARS TO SHUT DOWN (RADIO REMAINS ON). WHEN I FIRST TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULDN'T AND THEN THE SECOND ATTEM…

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MY VAN HAS SHUT OFF TWICE NOW WHILE DRIVING. BOTH EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE TURNING RIGHT, AT A SLOW SPEED ON CITY STREETS (ONE TIME WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE). I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE ENGINE APPEARS TO SHUT DOWN (RADIO REMAINS ON). WHEN I FIRST TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULDN'T AND THEN THE SECOND ATTEMPT SOUNDED UNUSUAL BUT IT DID START. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL. BOTH TIMES WERE IN GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, DUE TO MY RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE, I ONLY USE THE FOB WITH NOTHING ELSE HANGING FROM IT. IN ADDITION, I ALSO HAVE THE ISSUE OF THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY NOT STARTING. I USUALLY GET IT TO START BY FIDDLING WITH THE SHIFTER. OF COURSE, MY VAN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE IGNITION MODULE RECALL, WHICH IS COMPLETELY ABSURD AS IT IS CLEARLY HAPPENING TO A LOT OF US. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS VAN EXCEPT FOR THESE TWO MAJOR ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11141053

67,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Electrical System

MY CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT AT 50 MILES AN HOUR WITH MY TWO KIDS IN IT! IT HAS SINCE DIED MULTIPLE TIMES (I DON'T ALLOW MY CHILDREN IN IT ANYMORE, BUT IT HAS DIED WITH ME ALONE IN IT TO AND FROM THE MECHANICS) AND REFUSED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. WHEN I HAD IT INSPECTED AND DIAGNO…

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MY CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING IT AT 50 MILES AN HOUR WITH MY TWO KIDS IN IT! IT HAS SINCE DIED MULTIPLE TIMES (I DON'T ALLOW MY CHILDREN IN IT ANYMORE, BUT IT HAS DIED WITH ME ALONE IN IT TO AND FROM THE MECHANICS) AND REFUSED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. WHEN I HAD IT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY MY MECHANIC (WHO SPECIALIZES IN VWS AND AUDI'S) HE TOLD ME IT WAS A RECALLED PART. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE VW DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO CONTACT VW COPORATE TO GET A CLAIM NUMBER. WHEN I CALLED CORPORATE THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALITY FOR THE RECALL (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MY CAR FITS THE MODEL, TIMEFRAME, AND DIAGNOSIS OF THE RECALL) AND THEY REFUSE TO HONOR IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED!

NHTSA ODI #11140497

89,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GURLEY LEEP AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (LOCATED AT 53…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GURLEY LEEP AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (LOCATED AT 5302 GRAPE RD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545, (574) 272-0990), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #11140334

112,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
EnginePower TrainStructure

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.

NHTSA ODI #11132167

80,000 miles · Sep 6, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (FLOW VOLKSWAGEN, 5011 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403, (910) 392-3…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (FLOW VOLKSWAGEN, 5011 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403, (910) 392-3889) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIN MODULE /IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V151000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 181194533, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11127876

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.