Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Volkswagen Routan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle independently caught on fire. There was no crash nor injury due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and deemed the vehicle as a total loss. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle lost power steering and braking functionality. The contact stated that numerous unknown warning lights were illuminated and blinking. The contact was attempting to maintain lane when the vehicle independently restarted and the contact pulled off the road safely. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and all the functions returned. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V151000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the failure was a recurring issue. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.
The contact was helping her friend who owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. 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 contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was informed that the vehicle was built by another manufacturer. The contact was then referred to another dealer. The contact was advised by the 2nd dealer that the vehicle should be taken back to the first dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V151000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact's son owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently fail to start after multiple attempts, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that they no longer serviced the model vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the totally integrated power module (TIPM) needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was no longer manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle would shut off randomly. The contact stated traction control warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V151000 (Electrical System) however, the Vin was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 147,833.
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
The TIPM is failing which is a common issue with the vehicle make/model. My particular vehicle was not covered under any recalls, however, I have the same tell tale TIPM failure issues as all of the cars that were part of the recall. My lights intermittently work which causes a safety hazard. They will either not turn at all, will turn on and start flashing, or will appear to be working as normal until I'm driving and then they will flash off intermittently. This puts anyone in my car as well as oncoming traffic at risk when my lights malfunction at night. The airbag warning indicator light also flashes off and on as well making me think that it may be failing whenever the TIPM is not functioning properly. The door locks and windows have also locked/unlocked and opened/closed at random (even when the vehicle is off and has been parked with the power off for hours). …
Hi - I have a 2010 VW Volkswagen that has an issue with headlights intermittently working, which is very hazardous and also the windshield wipers randomly turn on and the car was intermittently starting (now won't start at all since 7/18/2021) among other things. Car appears to not be starting due to fuel relay with TIPM. The intermittent headlights is very dangerous but corrects itself in a few days so mechanics haven't been able to figure it out. This car is related to the several Chrysler models from 2010-2014 (it states Chrysler on various parts of my VW Routan) that had a recall for issues with the TIPM box, which appears to be the issue with my vehicle. As far as I can tell the same recall was not issued for the Routan. Why? I've found many similar descriptions of Routan owners that have had the same issues I have and these go back to the TIPM. Will there be a recall? …
On 01/24/25 around 9pm I was leaving a friend house headed home. I took the i76 route home because it's faster. As I'm getting off on my exit, coming up on the first stop sign I start pressing down on the break pedal and all of a sudden the car engine shuts off and comes to a sudden seizure like halt. I put on my hazards lights instantly, put the car in park and proceeded to to start the car again. After like 10 failed start attempts. I decided to give it a rest and that's when I realized that there key would not come out the ignition, I had to turn the ignition back and forth twice before it was released. After that I waited about 25 minutes, and have it another shot but this time I stepped on the gas while attempting to start the car and it came back on. I went home parked and since that day the car won't turn over but everything still comes on. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA has 150 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Volkswagen Routan, 63% of the model year's 240 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-194 (switch, Apr 1, 2015); NHTSA recall 11V-151 (switch, Mar 1, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 7 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.