Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Volkswagen Routan problems

Owners filed 240 complaints about the 2010 Volkswagen Routan with NHTSA between May 2010 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (150).

Complaints
240
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system150
  2. Engine45
  3. Service brakes23
  4. Steering23
  5. Power train22
  6. Structure11
  7. Exterior lighting9
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)9
  9. Vehicle speed control6
  10. Wheels6
  11. Visibility/wiper5
  12. Engine and engine cooling5
  13. Air bags4
  14. Fuel/propulsion system4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20107
201122
20129
201315
201429
201531
201620
201727
201819
201919
202014
202111
20225
20237
20242
20252
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

150 reports2 crashes2 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2026Electrical systemODI 11712238

Engine

45 reports1 crash
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2024Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11624687

Service brakes

23 reports1 fire
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2024Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11571385

Steering

23 reports
“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROX. 30-35 MILES PER HOUR AND MY VAN DIED. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. LUCKILY I WASN'T SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. WITHIN A SPAN OF LESS THAN 2 YEARS IVE ALREADY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE BATTERY, AND THE ALTERNATOR IS STILL NEW AND UNDER WARRANTY. THE IGNITION/POWER WINDOWS FUSE CONSTANTLY NEEDS ADJUSTING SO I CAN ROLL MY WINDOW UP OR DOWN. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON. NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DIE ON ME WHILE DRIVING DUE TO MANUFACTURERS ISSUES. AFTER READING OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES IM VERY CONFIDENT ITS THE TIPM. SOME COMPLAIN THAT THIS COSTS PEOPLE $1 000S ON A CHANCE THAT YOU CAN GET A COUPLE MORE YEARS OUT OF IT. THE VAN WANTS TO TURN OVER AND CONTINUES CRANKING WHEN KEY FOB IS IN IGNITION BUT DOESN'T TURN OVER. I CANNOT GET IT TO START AT ALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11354495

Power train

22 reports2 crashes1 fire
“MY CAR RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL GET STUCK IN A GEAR AND IT WON'T SHIFT. THE CAR CAN BE IN MOTION OR EVEN STATIONARY (STOP LIGHT) WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2020Power trainODI 11331811

Structure

11 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2018Power train, Structure, EngineODI 11132167
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.