Is the 2010 Volkswagen Routan a bad year?
240 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Routan years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan are in line with other Routan years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Routan owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 150 (63%) | 50k–109k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 50 (21%) | 36k–99k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 27 (11%) | 16k–114k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 23 (10%) | 44k–128k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (9%) | 19k–85k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Stability control | 9 (4%) | 65k–127k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (3%) | 60k–98k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 11 (5%) | 7k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 240 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jan 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My mini-van shut off/ stalled while I was driving on the road. Every time it stalled I was driving slowly through construction zone or in front of a light where I had to pressed the brake to stop the car for over 30 seconds.
I am writing to address a safety issue I have with my vehicle, a 2010 Volkswagen routan. My husband and I purchased this car last year and shortly after its purchase started to experience electrical issues with the vehicle.
Car battery is in good shape because I recently replaced it with a new one.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan: 2
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. 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. 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.
Some vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the run to accessory position while driving causing the engine to shut off. An engine shutting off suddenly while driving could increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Volkswagen: 278
Repair instructions Volkswagen sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Volkswagen Routan. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Gasoline Engine Misfire Diagnosis document
This document concerns that some vehicles may have been built with transmission transfer gear bearings that have an incorrect bearing preload…
Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
MIL ON, DTCs P2014 or P2015 Intake Manifold Faults Stored in ECM Fault Memory
Neighbouring years
2009 Routan: 294 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2011 Routan: 175 complaints, keep it.
Every Volkswagen Routan year
2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · All Routan years side by side
Other Volkswagen models: Volkswagen Atlas · Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport · Volkswagen Beetle · Volkswagen CC · Volkswagen Eos · Volkswagen GTI · Volkswagen Golf · Volkswagen Golf SportWagen · Volkswagen ID.4 · Volkswagen Jetta · Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen · Volkswagen Passat · Volkswagen Rabbit · Volkswagen Taos · Volkswagen Tiguan · Volkswagen Touareg. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2010 Volkswagen Routan a bad year?
240 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Routan years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (150), engine (50), brakes (27), steering (23), transmission and drivetrain (22).
How many recalls does the 2010 Volkswagen Routan have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 15V-194), Electrical system (NHTSA 11V-151). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.