2010 Volkswagen Routan: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 240 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (53% of complaints); the 2012 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2024
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2024
“The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and driven to her destination; however, after arriving at her destination she attempted to shut off the vehicle, but the vehicle remained running. The contact stated that she disconnected the battery to shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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).”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2023
“The key for the key switch is loose and can fall out in any position. Can come out in the off ; start; run; all positions. The van falls within the right timeline for the key switch replacement recall; but I am told it does not have the right vin #. Can you explain to me why I can not get my defected switch replaced and others can? My vin number does not determine if the switch is bad?”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the totally integrated power module (TIPM) needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was no longer manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2023
“The contacts husband owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that the air bag safety light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed with the air bag and air bag clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,153.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2023
“The contact's son owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently fail to start after multiple attempts, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that they no longer serviced the model vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2023
“We bought the 2010 Volkswagen Routtan on July 2021, the engine shutts off suddenly. We took it to the dealer and no one knows what the problem is. I was checking the value of the car and found a safety recall in June 2011 and another recall on 04/01/2015 We don't know if they took the vehicle to fix the problem. There has been 2 safety recalls NHTSA CAMPAING 15v194000 on April 2015 and the one on March 2011 NHTSA CAMPAING 11v151000 both has to Do with the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2022
“This has happened multiple times. The ignition will cut off which make the car engine quit running. Loss of braking, steering, power has left me in the middle of intersections being nearly avoided being ran into. When this happens all the warning lights come on and the engine turns off. The exact problem VW recall number 28H1 is affecting my vehicle.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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 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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Routan by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Volkswagen Routan reliable?
NHTSA has 240 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The most complained-about area is electrical system (53% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Volkswagen Routan problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,500 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Volkswagen Routan have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.