2010 Volkswagen Routan problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (91) · Engine (30) · Steering (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Routan model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
197 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2015-04-01 · campaign 15V194000 · 20,676 vehicles
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
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.
Fix: 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 i
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2011-03-01 · campaign 11V151000 · 12,612 vehicles
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.
Risk: AN ENGINE SHUTTING OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (377)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-03-27 · VOS-26-21 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the error message erp0204e could occur during perform initial operation, software configuration, svm updates for any control
Electrical System 2026-03-06 · VOS-26-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct multiple test plans: all basic settings test for the following components - fill and bleed cooling system issue, n493, j338, c
Electrical System 2026-01-06 · VOS-26-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct a test that is not reading any information from the battery data module (bdm) and will output:
Suspension 2025-11-18 · V4016012043146_4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
what is and what is not a leaking suspension strut.
Engine 2025-07-22 · V0017132033846_24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
fuel additive
Suspension 2025-07-14 · V4616012043146_3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
how to identify and when to replace a leaking strut
Showing the 6 most recent of 377 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-20 · 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; …”
2025-04-07 · Electrical System · 100,000 mi“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…”
2025-01-29 · 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 c…”
2024-11-12 · Unknown Or Other“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…”
2024-02-12 · 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 overheati…”
2023-10-07 · Unknown Or Other“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).…”
2023-07-13 · Engine · 155,000 mi“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 r…”
2023-04-21 · Electrical System“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 d…”
2023-03-28 · Engine · 95,000 mi“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…”
2023-03-22 · Air Bags · 98,153 mi“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. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.