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ProblemsByVinFile / 2010-VOLKSWAGEN-ROUTANNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Volkswagen
2010 Volkswagen Routan problems
The 2010 Volkswagen Routan has 240 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2010 Volkswagen Routan has 240 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 136 complaints, typically surfacing around 78,837 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Routan?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 136 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 51,186–104,000 mi
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Volkswagen Routan? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 136 owner reports
· tends to show around 78,837 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 60,959 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
steering — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 99,394 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,766 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 78,837 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
My van shut down while driving for the fourth time. I was slowing down to a stop at a light and the engine lost power and I lost power steering and brakes. This has been happening much more frequently now than before (with 3 times in the last month). My van is not included in…
While driving the car the car shut off causing an issue with the steering and brakes. This is the second time this has happened. in trying to duplicate the issue, with the car in park and running we were able to duplicate it by wiggling the key fob while it is in the switch. We…
Had a problem with your 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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 ignition switch are not covered by this campaign.
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2010 routan vehicles manufactured from october 2009 through june 2010
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.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Volkswagen Routan reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Volkswagen Routan is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
The 2010 Volkswagen Routan is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 136 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 51,186–104,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 136 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,837 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Volkswagen Routan a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 240 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 78,837 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 136 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,837 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,837 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volkswagen Routan has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 240 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Volkswagen/Routan.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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