AI Damage2010 Volkswagen Routan: common problems
Owners of the 2010 Volkswagen Routan filed 240 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 240
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 63% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 19% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 150 complaints (63% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 45 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 27 complaints (11% of all).
- Steering: 23 complaints (10% of all).
- Powertrain: 22 complaints (9% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 240 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 150 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 22 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 contact stated while driving 70 mph, the key disengaged from the ignition and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated restarted the vehicle and proceeded to his destination.
Around 108000 miles, my 2010 routan automatic transmission started jerking into gears 2, 3, 4. Sometimes it shifts smoothly but more often it's hard enough to jerk all passengers while driving. I have tried eco mode with same results. Driving normal it seems to be worse than when speeding up quickly.
No power would work I couldn't roll down the windows or turn on hazard lights, I had to put car in park. The key was stuck in the ignition and would not start from a jump. The car had no warning signs and was recently inspected and checked on computer and they were unable to get any codes or see any engine problems.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,693 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Routan has 112 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 240, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 240. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (25%), warning lights, check engine (17%), steering or power steering problems (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2010 Volkswagen Routan from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2010 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.