this model yearOf 240 owner complaints for this model year, around 6% describe 12 injuries and 3 fires. These are unverified owner accounts, but the pattern is worth reading before buying.
this model year2 further recall campaigns cover this model year. Ask a dealer which remain outstanding on this car.
Almost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
Owner complaints for this model year
240Complaints
5Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
12Injuries
Most reported components
electrical system150
engine45
service brakes27
steering23
power train22
unknown or other18
Read 15 of the most serious reports
electrical system3 injuries
NHTSA #10394007
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 HAVE EVER HEARD! I WOULD NEED TO STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY OR IN BETWEEN A TRAFFIC INTERSECTION WITH MY KIDS. I HAVE STRUGGLED SO MUCH TO ESCALATE THIS AND NOW FINALLY VW HAS REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH BASE ON THE 03/10/11 RECALL. THIS VAN ALSO HAS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS. THESE DOORS SMASH MY KIDS AND HAVE HAD SOME INJURIES BECAUSE OF THIS. YOU TRIGGER THE DOORS TO OPEN AND YOU THINK THEY WILL REMAIN OPEN BUT THEY DON'T LOCK. THE DOORS RAPIDLY CLOSE THEM SELF, TRAPPING ANYTHING IN THEIR WAY. THE SAME BEHAVIOR HAPPENS AS YOU WALK AWAY AND THINK THE DOOR WILL SHUT AND LOCK. YOU COME BACK FROM WALMART AND SEE THAT THE DOORS ARE WIDE OPEN. THE LAST THING I NEED IS SOME SICKO HIDING IN THE VEHICLE AND I THINK MY VEHICLE IS SAFE FOR ME AND MY KIDS. ALSO WHEN YOU PUT THE VAN IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE STUTTERS AND JERKS WITH LITTLE TORK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR THESE ISSUES AS WELL AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE SO THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. IN THE PROCESS OF ALL OF THIS I HAVE ALSO FOUND THE MOST DEPRESSING NEWS, MY VW IS ACTUALLY A CHRYSLER. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT WHEN I HEARD THIS BUT I CONFIRMED IT. NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THAT I WAS ACTUALLY BUYING A CHRYSLER VAN. I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A GERMAN VEHICLE. THESE HORRIBLE EVENTS HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZING. *TR
electrical system3 injuries
NHTSA #10394009
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. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 2 WEEKS SINCE I TOOK THE VAN IN TO SERVICE. EVERY DAY I CALL BACK AS THEY DON'T KEEP THEIR PROMISE OF A CALL BACK. I HOWEVER GET THE SAME INDIVIDUALS AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE CAR GETS FIXED. WELL WHAT IF THEY CAR DOES NOT GET FIXED OR TAKES MONTHS, AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT? I STRUGGLE SO MUCH TO GET A CAR RENTAL FROM THEM AND WHEN I DID, THEY GOT ME A COMPACT VEHICLE. I CAN'T TRANSPORT MY FAMILY IN THAT! AFTER COMPLAINING SO MUCH THEY FINALLY APPROVED A LARGER VEHICLE RENTAL. I HAVE RECEIVED THE CALL FROM SERVICE SAYING THE VEHICLE IS READY FOR PICKUP AND IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. I CALLED VW AGAIN NOW THAT THE CAR SERVICE IS COMPLETED AND NOW THE VW PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING AND TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. WHY STRING ME ALONG IF YOU KNOW THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE ME. THEY SAID TO GIVE THEM ONE MORE DAY AND TO EXPECT A CALL BACK AGAIN. I ASKED THEM WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE OR THE PLAN BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR INTERNAL PROCESSES AND TO JUST WAIT FOR A CALL. I GUESS AT THIS TIME I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL VW OWNER FOR 8YRS BUT IF VW DOES NOT PUT ME IN A GERMAN VEHICLE I CAN EXPECT LEGAL ACTION IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE. *TR
power train,exterior lighting,structure,service brakes1 injuryfire
NHTSA #10483410
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.
electrical system1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10408918
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
power train1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10332677
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 THIS POINT I WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE OPEN DRIVERS DOOR AND I WAS DRAGGED ACROSS MY STREET.... I MANAGED TO GET OUT FROM UNDER THE DOOR. THANKFULLY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS DEEP GUTTERS, I WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP TO THE CAR AND I MANAGE TO JUMP IN BECAUSE OF THE STALL THE GUTTER CREATED. THE CAR NEARLY RAN THROUGH THE NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE AND JUST MISSED THEIR MAILBOX. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THE CAR COULD GO FROM A CLEARLY "PARKED" POSITION TO "REVERSE" ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE ROAD RASH ON MY TOES, FEET, KNEES (MY JEANS ARE WRECKED), ON MY HIPS AND ON MY SHOULDERS. I HAVE BRUISES FROM THE DOOR BEING CAUGHT ON MY LEG, MY ENTIRE LEG IS SWOLLEN. AFTER THE INCIDENT I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FILED A REPORT. *TR
structure1 injury
NHTSA #10553291
WHILE MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR, SHE PRESSED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR. WHILE THE DOOR WAS CLOSING, SHE SLIPPED GETTING HER ANKLE/FOOT TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR JAM AND DOOR BUT OVER THE BRACKET ATTACHING THE FRONT OF THE DOOR. THE DOOR CONTINUED TO CLOSE UNTIL IT JAMMED, SHE FELL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE STILL BEING TRAPPED. WE HAD TO PUSH ON THE DOOR TO TRY TO SLOWLY OPEN IT TO ATTEMPT TO FREE HER. AFTER PICKING HER UP AND REACHING UNDER THE DOOR TO MOVE HER FOOT WE WERE ABLE TO FREE HER. THE ENTIRE TIME WE WERE TRYING TO FREE MY DAUGHTER THE DOOR KEPT MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. *TR
structure1 injury
NHTSA #10463167
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
structure1 injury
NHTSA #10443184
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.
electrical systemfire
NHTSA #11422327
The contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle independently caught on fire. There was no crash nor injury due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and deemed the vehicle as a total loss. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
electrical system,electronic stability control (esc)fire
NHTSA #11071699
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR, SNOW FELL ONTO THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH. AFTER THE CONTACT CLEANED THE SNOW OFF THE SWITCH, SHE LATER SMELLED A BURNING ODER COMING FROM THE DOOR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE WINDOW LATER IN THE DAY, BUT THE WINDOW FAILED TO GO DOWN. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE FUSES AND OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT WATER FROM THE MELTED SNOW CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,845.
power traincrash
NHTSA #11054645
VEHICLE STATIONARY IN PARK. GEAR SLIPPED AND CAR DROVE BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL, STOPPED, THEN SLIPPED INTO DRIVE AND DROVE ITSELF INTO LAKE. MY DOG CRATED IN BACK. SHE DROWNED. INCLINE WAS SLIGHT. GRAVEL. ASHE COUNTY PARK JEFFERSON NC. I WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR TRYING TO CRATE MY OTHER DOG WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
electrical systemcrash
NHTSA #10925511
INTERMITTENT ENGINE FAILURE. 2010 VW ROUTAN SEL. 4.0 ENGINE. CAR TURNS COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING. NO ENGINE CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. DEALERS CANNOT REPAIR AND BE SAYS THIS BE IS NOT ON THE RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND RECENTLY JUST PULLING DOWN THE STREET AT LOW SPEED WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN ALL SYSTEMS FAILED. THE CAR WILL START RIGHT BACK UP. WE MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO KEY CHAINS ON THE FOB BUT IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. ONLY ADVISE I GET FROM DEALERS IS TRADE IT IN AS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I CANNOT IN GOOD FAITH TRADE IT IN TO ANOTHER FAMILY TO GET KILLED IN WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN. THIS VAN IS A DEATH TRAP FOR FAMILIES AND IS UNACCEPTABLE VW KNOWS IF THE ISSUE BUT WON'T INCLUDE IT.
electrical system
NHTSA #11712238
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 stated that after researching, the vehicle was known for electrical system failures. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
electrical system
NHTSA #11653263
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: 11V151000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
electrical system
NHTSA #11639386
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 stepped on the gas while attempting to start the car and it came back on. I went home parked and since that day the car won't turn over but everything still comes on. There are no codes, showing, no damage to the car at all it's still pretty much new. Vw says there nothing they can do because my vin is not on the recall list but I'm literally experiencing the same mechanical issued that are listed on the recall for my exact model. Can someone please offer me a solution that doesn't involve me paying for an issue that is listed on recall for free repair!!!!!
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.
Recalls for this model year
2 recalls on record
15V194000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
11V151000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.