2010 Volkswagen Routan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 5 Routan years
The 2010 Volkswagen Routan ranks worst of the 5 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 240 complaints, most tied to the Electrical System (151 complaints, 63% share). Two recalls address ignition/key issues.
- Complaints
- 240
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 24 hwy
Top 2010 Volkswagen Routan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System151 (63%)
- Engine56 (23%)
- Brakes35 (15%)
- Steering23 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (9%)
- Other19 (8%)
- Structure & Body14 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (4%)
- Fuel System6 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the engine or ignition intermittently shutting off while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with no warning lights.
- Some describe the ignition key moving out of the run position on its own, cutting power to the vehicle mid-drive.
- Rear brake rotors reportedly warped repeatedly, requiring multiple rotor replacements on the same vehicle.
- Several owners report the transmission lunging or shifting hard when moving from reverse to drive, or slipping out of park unexpectedly.
- Steering reportedly pulled to one side at low speeds despite repeated alignments and part replacements.
- A small number of owners report electrical fires starting in the vehicle while parked, with no crash or collision involved.
2010 Volkswagen Routan recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V194000Apr 1, 2015Electrical System20,676 vehicles
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 11V151000Mar 1, 2011Electrical System12,612 vehicles
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.
Risk: An engine shutting off suddenly while driving could increase the risk of a crash.
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.
2010 Volkswagen Routan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,425
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Volkswagen Routan reliable?
- Among the 5 Routan model years with data, 2010 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst, with 240 complaints logged with NHTSA and a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 151 complaints, or 63% of all complaints for this model year, with a median failure mileage of 79,650.
- Does the 2010 Volkswagen Routan have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Routan, both tied to the Electrical System. One covers ignition switch and key FOB replacement, the other covers a WIN module replacement for inadvertent ignition key displacement.
- How does the 2010 Routan compare to other years?
- The 2010 Routan has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2011 (75, Avoid), 2012 (50, Caution), 2013 (25, Good), and 2014 (0).
- Were there any fires or crashes reported for the 2010 Routan?
- NHTSA data shows 3 fires and 5 crashes reported for the 2010 Routan, along with 12 injuries and 0 deaths.