2010 Volkswagen Routan Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 9%of 240 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,728miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Volkswagen Routan, 9% of the 240 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,728 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car recently started having issues shifting into the next gear. Typically happens when I have been driving for a while. All of a sudden it will get stuck in a gear and it won't shift. The car can be in motion or even stationary (stop light) when it happens.”
NHTSA complaint #11331811, filed 2020-06, 140,000 miles“Vehicle stationary in park. Gear slipped and car drove backwards down the hill, stopped, then slipped into drive and drove itself into lake. My dog crated in back. She drowned. Incline was slight. Gravel. Ashe county park jefferson nc. I was outside the car trying to crate my other dog when this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11054645, filed 2017-12, 98,000 miles“Around 108000 miles, my 2010 Routan automatic transmission started jerking into gears 2, 3, 4. Sometimes it shifts smoothly but more often it's hard enough to jerk all passengers while driving. I have tried eco mode with same results. Driving normal it seems to be worse than when speeding up quickly. 3rd gear is the worst and is hard enough to throw you forward causing you to swerve sometimes. It's the same results in town, on highway, and in stop and go traffic. Now has 129000 miles and getting worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #11323785, filed 2020-05, 108,000 miles“I was driving on I 66 in virginia and got stuck in traffic due to an earlier accident. Car went for about a mile in stop and go traffic, when suddenly the car started to rev up and jumped into gear to move forward. I thought maybe something was stuck, so I put into park and turned the engine off, and restarted it. It did it again after doing it for about 5 times, I was able to get over to the side of the highway. I called a tow truck and had it taken to my mechanic. He told me that I need a new transmission. My car had 135000. Miles on it. No warning lights at all came on. …”
NHTSA complaint #11256704, filed 2019-09, 135,000 miles“Bought the van in february 2012 since then it has been in the shop 11 times for transmission,rotors,and my passenger sliding doors they open automatically. Now its leaking antifreeze and we bought extended warranty and this part the plastic y part that contexts two hoses they say isn't covered and wants us to pay 450$ to do it..the van has 38,035 miles we bought it with 18,563 miles how can this vehicle have this many problems? My power doors I believe if they open when your pumping gas isn't right.”
NHTSA complaint #10554579, filed 2013-12, 23,456 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
- 10188558Mar 3, 2021Transmission Fluid requirements updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10126867Oct 20, 2016Updated to include an additional model year applicability.
- 10127970Sep 23, 2016Specific diagnostic check to address DTC U0151, after TIPM component replacement. Part identification, location and ensured installation after rplacing Integrated Power Module.
- 10236444Feb 2, 2016Automatic transmission fluid requirements.
- 10121115Feb 2, 2016This document was created In response to multiple dealership inquires about aftermarket universal (one fluid fits all) automatic transmission fluids and transmission flushing…
- 10121195Feb 3, 2015Technical Bulletin: This document concerns that some vehicles may have been built with transmission transfer gear bearings that have an incorrect bearing preload, which can…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2010 Volkswagen Routan
150 complaintsEngine
45 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Volkswagen Routan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology