Verdict
2010 Volkswagen Routan: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2010 Volkswagen Routan — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for minivan.
Owners filed 240 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 60% of 2010 minivans. Electrical System leads the reports (57%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2010 minivans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
240
Reports to NHTSA, 2010
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
19
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 60% of 2010 minivans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2010 minivans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (57% of 240 reports), followed by steering (10%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 240 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10925511, ODI 10408918, ODI 11422327, ODI 11071699, ODI 11712238.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical SystemJan 2015 · 15V194000Details +Close −
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.
Electrical SystemJan 2011 · 11V151000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2010 Volkswagen Routan w/SAB NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routan | 4.0L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 17 | 25 | 20 |
| Routan | 3.8L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 16 | 23 | 18 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2010 Volkswagen Routan: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
Owners filed 240 NHTSA complaints about the 2010 Volkswagen Routan — fewer complaints than 60% of comparable 2010 minivans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (57% of complaints) and steering (10%).
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Routan have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2010 Volkswagen Routan, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Volkswagen Routan get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Volkswagen Routan between 18 and 20 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.