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).
In April 2015 the check engine light came on in my 2010 vw Routan, maybe a week or so later it started to stall while I was driving it. I took it to an import dealer locally to have it looked at and was told that the EGR valve was bad. They replaced it, which cost me $400, and put a new gas cap on it. In July the engine light came on again, had the codes run at a parts store and it was the EGR valve again. Took it back to the shop that did the first repair because it still had a parts and labor warrantee with them. They replaced it again. Now, in September, my engine light is on again and again it says it's the EGR valve. I have called the shop to get it in to be repaired again, waiting on a call back. This issue is quite scary because it has and probably will again stall out on the highway causing me to have to try to pull over and put it in neutral to restart it. …
Reported issue to vw recall group via telephone 5/13/2019. This is very similar to a recall that took place for vw Routan 2009-2010 that were created between the dates of October 2019 to June 2010. Our vehicle was created in August of 2010, and I suspect the same parts were still used. Two issues have occurred with 2010 vw Routan sel minivan 4.0l issues started occurring after replacing a lost key fob. Key fob was ordered through local vw dealer (bob king vw) and replaced. First issue: car would not start. Put key into ignition switch, turn key, the ignition switch clicks but the car would not start. In order to start car, wait and repeat steps until car actually starts. Second issue: (highly dangerous) intermittent shut off while driving causing power steering to turn off as well as brakes. …
My van has shut off twice now while driving. Both events have occurred while turning right, at a slow speed on city streets (one time with my children in the vehicle). I lose power steering and brakes and the engine appears to shut down (radio remains on). When I first tried to restart it, it wouldn't and then the second attempt sounded unusual but it did start. The traction control light lit up on the dashboard as well. Both times were in good driving conditions. After the first time, due to my research on the issue, I only use the fob with nothing else hanging from it. In addition, I also have the issue of the vehicle randomly not starting. I usually get it to start by fiddling with the shifter. Of course, my van is not included in the ignition module recall, which is completely absurd as it is clearly happening to a lot of us. …
I was driving home from work approx. 30-35 miles per hour and my van died. I lost power steering and brakes. Luckily I wasn't seriously injured. There was no warning. No service engine light. Within a span of less than 2 years ive already replaced the fuel pump, the battery, and the alternator is still new and under warranty. The ignition/power windows fuse constantly needs adjusting so I can roll my window up or down. All the dash lights come on randomly as well. Sometimes the windshield wipers would come on. Never had a vehicle die on me while driving due to manufacturers issues. After reading other consumer complaints about the same issues im very confident its the TIPM. Some complain that this costs people $1 000s on a chance that you can get a couple more years out of it. The van wants to turn over and continues cranking when key fob is in ignition but doesn't turn over. …
My vehicle is experiencing the same problem as other vehicles of the same year that received a recall. The car just shuts off, loses power and all steering, braking and so on. It makes the vehicle very dangerous. The other vehicles in this year all had bad ignition switches but vw refuses to include my vehicle and others like it of the same model year that have the exact same problem. I believe that they need to expand this recall to include more vehicles of the 2010 model. The vehicle is not safe to drive and is scary when it just cuts out on you when you are driving 30-40 MPH plus.
I believe the ignition switch is faulty but my VIN does not come up under the ignition switch recalls (15V194000 or 11V151000). One time when accelerating up a bumpy hill going about 40 MPH on a highway, the vehicle shut off and power steering was not available. I was able to maneuver to the side of the road and turn it off, put it in park, and turn it back on. Another time on a flat bumpy road, accelerating at about 35 MPH, the vehicle shut off again with no power steering available. I again pulled over, put it in park, turned it off and then restarted it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning and the electrical systems failed. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V194000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The engine stalls as the vehicle is driven and it locks the steering wheel. This happened about 8 times within the past 24 months. We discovered that 12,000 and more Routan 2009 and 2010 have been recalled for the same problems with some fatalities reported due to this defect: ignition moduls and electronic moduls. Vw and GM-Chrysler are not supporting the vw. Dealer repair/replacement as my vw Routan seems not having been tracked down during initial recalls.
When driving down the road going about 30mph my car suddenly shut off. No indicator lights came on and my power steering was gone as well as my ability to brake well. Looking online their was a recall on my model year and make of van for the same problems with the ignition switch but my VIN number did not pull up a recall. I contacted vw and they also stated my car was not part of that recall. Thankfully I was able to pull to side of the road safely.
2010 volkswagon Routan has stopped in mid traffic going 30-40 MPH on a busy road. Lights and audio have flickered, then turn off. Car spontaneously starts and stops any given time in motion and standing still, and cannot be jumped to revive. Have been in the car with my children and have had it stop in the middle of the road. We have had it less than a year, completely unsafe. Told the exact recall doesn't apply to my VIN#.
Steering complaints in other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2010 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Volkswagen Routan, 10% of the model year's 240 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Volkswagen Routan steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Volkswagen Routan steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
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.