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Volkswagen · NHTSA safety record

2010 Volkswagen Routan

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

240

Complaints

5

Crashes

3

Fires

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Volkswagen Routan have filed 240 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2010 and January 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 150 of them (63%). The typical failure was reported at 70,000 miles, the median across the 198 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (2)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

15V194000 · April 1, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 20,676 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

11V151000 · March 1, 2011

The defect
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.
The risk
AN ENGINE SHUTTING OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.

VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · up to 12,612 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 240.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 150 63%
ENGINE 45 19%
SERVICE BRAKES 23 10%
STEERING 23 10%
POWER TRAIN 22 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18 8%
STRUCTURE 11 5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 9 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 3%
WHEELS 6 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2015 at 31.

2010 2015 2026
2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 injured · 8,100 miles

DEATH & INJURY RISK! VOLKSWAGEN 2010 ROUTAN SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THIS HAS HAPPEN MORE THAN A FEW TIMES. TODAY IS THE LAST STRAW AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS. I BARELY SURVIVE THE INCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO VW SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES. I KEEP GETTING THE RUNAROUND AND THEY SAY THE VEHICLE IS FINE AS THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. I GUESS MY KIDS' LIVES ARE NOT IMPORTANT TO VW. THE VAN IS BRAN NEW AND ONLY HAS 8K MILES. VW SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING AND THE ONLY ADVICE WAS THAT IF IT SHUTS OFF AGAIN DONOT TURN ON THE VEHICLE STAY WHERE YOU ARE JUST CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THAT IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS ADVICE I

NHTSA complaint 10394007, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 injured · 8,100 miles

DEATH & INJURY RISK! VOLKSWAGEN 2010 ROUTAN SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THIS HAS HAPPEN MORE THAN A FEW TIMES. TODAY IS THE LAST STRAW AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS. I BARELY SURVIVE THE INCIDENT. I HAVE NOT PICKED UP THE CAR FROM SERVICE SINCE AND I AM TRYING TO GET VW TO PUT IN ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THESE REPAIRS DONE AND THEY STILL ARE SHUTTING OFF AND SQUASHING THEIR KIDS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO VW SINCE I TURN IN MY CAR FOR SERVICE AND TOLD THEM I DON'T WANT THE VEHICLE ANY MORE. VW KEEPS GIVING THE RUNAROUND AND HAVE BEEN STRINGING ME ALONG TELLING ME THAT THEY WILL HELP ME BUT TO WAIT FOR THEIR CALL TOMORROW.

NHTSA complaint 10394009, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · fire · 11,418 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 10483410, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

1 injured · crash

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MY NEW 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN, THE CAR IS UNDER TWO MONTHS OLD. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND LEFT THE KEYS IN THE ENGINE BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO RUN INTO OPEN THE GARAGE.... I WANTED TO GET A PUPPY OUT OF THE REAR OF THE CAR FIRST SO I WENT AND STOOD BEHIND THE CAR BUT IT WAS LOCKED (CLEARLY IN PARKED.) I THEN WENT TO THE DRIVERS SIDE TO HIT THE UNLOCK SWITCH ON THE DOOR AND THE CAR STARTED REVERSING AND I WAS JUST CAUGHT REALLY OFF GUARD SO I TRIED TO JUMP IN THE CAR AS IT WAS BACKING UP BUT I GUESS MY REACTION WAS TOO LATE AND I ENDED UP BEING SHOVED ON THE PAVEMENT AS THE CAR ROLLED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. AT

NHTSA complaint 10332677, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the turn signal and the speed control failed to function as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The failure was troubleshooted; however, the failure was not diagnosed. In addition, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the failure was not diagnosed. The contact stated that neither the independent mechanic nor the dealer was able to diagnose or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact

NHTSA complaint 11712238, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

100,000 miles

The contact was helping her friend who owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and stability control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was built by another manufacturer. The contact was then referred to another dealer. The contact was advised by the 2nd dealer that the vehicle should be taken back to the first dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:

NHTSA complaint 11653263, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On 01/24/25 around 9pm I was leaving a friend house headed home. I took the i76 route home because it's faster. As I'm getting off on my exit, coming up on the first stop sign I start pressing down on the break pedal and all of a sudden the car engine shuts off and comes to a sudden seizure like halt. I put on my hazards lights instantly, put the car in park and proceeded to to start the car again. After like 10 failed start attempts. I decided to give it a rest and that's when I realized that there key would not come out the ignition, I had to turn the ignition back and forth twice before it was released. After that I waited about 25 minutes, and have it another shot but this time I

NHTSA complaint 11639386, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I bought this van just a few weeks ago. One day I was driving and all a sudden it lost power while in motion. This has happened 4xs so far. It could've resulted in the inability to stop my vehicle as the brakes are stiff after the power & engine stop working. It could've resulted in either I hit someone or someone could've hit me. My cousins husband had a town and country that did this & it was on a recall for the ignition switch failure. He's a mechanic. He has also stated what is going on is the ignition switch failure going into accessory mode while I'm driving. It's available to be inspected I just don't have the money to have it inspected at this point by a dealership.

NHTSA complaint 11624687. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Battery failure due to parasitic draw from Ignition IOD fuse ( J13fuse) reads 0.9 draw and M11 fuse ( hvac system) reads 0.6 draw. First occurrence 2/10/24 and second occurrence 2/11/24. Informed auto repair shop on 2/12/24 and goes in for diagnostic 2/15/24. Abs control module failure( intermittent ) Egr valve replacement (8/9/24 due to overheating but no warning lights due to overheating was displayed which is strange) Speed control sensor was replaced as well 8/9/24 but still has problems getting stuck or not reading the right speed . Consumes fuel faster than normal as well . Getting about 9 miles to the gallon.

NHTSA complaint 11571385. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All electrical gauges randomly go on and off, there is a continuous beeping to go along with it, the windshield wipers will go on and off. It seems to happen more in the summer or if it’s raining. It will occasionally stall while doing this, especially in a stationary position (like at a drive through).

NHTSA complaint 11548783. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volkswagen Routan

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2012 63 1
2011 175 0

Other 2010 Volkswagen models

Every Volkswagen on this site — 152 vehicles, 256 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst