RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen Routan Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
293
Latest Jun 25, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since May 4, 2009

What this page shows

Our database holds 293 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 293 · page 1 of 12

Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact suffered a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi-truck. In addition, the contact's vehicle crashed into a ditch. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The paramedics and the Police arrived on the scene. A Police report was filed, however thePolice report information was unavailable. The contact sustained eight broken ribs on the left side and two broken ribs on the right side, injury to the left eye which needed stitches, major trauma to the left lung and bruises and cuts. The contact was taken to the local hospital by ambulance. The vehicle was condemned a total loss. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11596563
Incident
Jun 8, 2024
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2024

Volkswagen dealership does not want to fulfill the recall.

NHTSA ID
11595982
Incident
Jun 23, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jul 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11535458
Incident
Jul 24, 2023
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 20, 2023

While driving the vehicle flashed several of the dashboard waring lights, starting dinging and then stopped, started flashing and dinging again then the vehicle completely turned off. I was able to pull over out of traffic but the vehicle would not restart. None of the interior lights would come one and the emergency lights would not come on. I could not unlock any of the doors. The battery has been replaced with in the last year and is working correctly.

NHTSA ID
11527937
Incident
Jun 20, 2023
Electrical
Filed Feb 27, 2023

the car shuts off while driving which is scary. requires restarting while in traffic. there was a recall in past and the fix clearly did not work. This incident has occurred multiple times.

NHTSA ID
11509291
Incident
Feb 1, 2023
Electrical
Filed Jun 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect

NHTSA ID
11468194
Incident
May 23, 2022
ElectricalInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed May 13, 2022

After getting wires regrounded at the mechanic, the car continues to malfunction. The wiper blades turn on, the entire dash blinks, the seat moves back and forth, resetting repeatedly. If seat is disconnected for safety, the seatbelt does not register as secured. Eventually doors stop functioning, have completely lost lock function, tried replacing battery and sending to mechanic specialist. Still the car malfunctions at random.

NHTSA ID
11464597
Incident
May 12, 2022
Electrical
Filed Dec 5, 2021

My vehicle shows no pending recalls, but ignition switch still malfunctioning whenever it is bumped or a lanyard is on the key. Brakes malfunction, car seat moves, windshield wipers move, car seems to think it is resetting as original recall states is a problem.

NHTSA ID
11442749
Incident
Dec 5, 2021
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormally high pitch noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started by the police and was restarted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID
11440823
Incident
Nov 16, 2021
Mileage
54,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 22, 2021

The brackets that hold the automatic door wires brake continuously. Then the wire gets pinched in the door and it causes a large amount of electrical problems. The abs, esp bad, brake, and traction control lights come on when the wire gets pinched. These doors were made very poorly and should have been looked over before this vehicle was made.

NHTSA ID
11425987
Incident
Jul 2, 2021
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 19, 2021

THANK GOD I WAS NOT GOING FAST. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. WAS ABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP. APPARENTLY, THE ROUTAN IS MANUFACTURED BY CRYSLER AND THIS ISSUE ALSO HAPPENS WITH THE 09 TOWN AND COUNTRIES AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
11412826
Incident
Apr 19, 2021
Mileage
134,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ESC WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY DISPLAYED, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11403438
Incident
Mar 16, 2021
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 29, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V083000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11390616
Incident
Jan 22, 2021
Mileage
115,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Dec 15, 2020

VAN HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING IS LOST. VEHICLE WILL THEN START RIGHT BACK UP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR A MINIVAN USED TO TRANSPORT MULTIPLE CHILDREN. NO CODES OR FAULTS ARE RECORDED.

NHTSA ID
11383517
Incident
Dec 15, 2020
Mileage
104,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 16, 2020

FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE POWER IN THE VAN BASICALLY TURNS OFF. THE STEERING BECOMES NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE AND THE BRAKES BECOME EXTREMELY TIGHT TO THE POINT YOU CAN'T EVEN USE THEM. IT IS TERRIFYING TO HAVE ZERO CONTROL OVER YOUR CAR CONSIDERING I HAVE 4 CHILDREN. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GOING ONLY 30MPH AND ALSO WHEN I WAS GOING 45 MPH. IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M GOING STRAIGHT AND HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE TURNING. SINCE THE LATEST ISSUE I REFUSE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE THAT I CAN'T TAKE BACK ROADS TO.

NHTSA ID
11364690
Incident
Oct 8, 2020
Mileage
119,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Sep 15, 2020

DASH FLASHING, HARD START AFTER PUTTING IN A NEW FUSE BOX AND AFTER FLASH FROM THE DEALER

NHTSA ID
11355049
Incident
Aug 11, 2020
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 14, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF MACON LOCATED AT 4786 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31210, (478)781-7701, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE ANY INFORMATION FROM THE COMPUTERS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR PROVIDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ID
11354945
Incident
Aug 3, 2020
Mileage
124,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 8, 2020

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER ARE INFLATED , CRACK , BUBBLE, LOOK LIKE THE AIRBAG MAY EXPLOTED.. I CALL VW AND THEY SAY IS IT NORMAL AND NOT SALE THE PART. 2009 MINI VAN. .?? I REALLY NOT THINK THEY CHANGE OR OVERHEATING.. GETTING WORDS .. AND YESTERDAY FROM NOT WEAR THE ROUTAN NOT DRIVE OVER 35 MPH WHEN MY WIFE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CHECK ENGINE CAME , 4 CODE ,P0733,P0734, P0792. AND ALMOST A TRUCK HIT MY WIFE.. I LOOK ON VW FORUMS AND IT IS COMMON PROBLEM,, WHY THIS IT NOT A RECALL WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING AND PROBLEMS.. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11353892
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 9, 2020

MY DRIVERS SIDE BACK SEAT DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND WILL OPEN BACK UP IF IT DOES NOT LATCH CORRECTLY. THE ENGINE WIRING WILL MAKE MY CARS DASH LIGHTS ALL COME ON AND MAKE THE WIPERS GO OFF. THE DOOR ONLY DOES THIS WHILE STATIONARY HOWEVER, THE DASH LIGHTS GO OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON A REGULAR STREET GOING LESS THAN 40MPH

NHTSA ID
11338410
Incident
Jul 2, 2020
Mileage
122,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 29, 2020

WHILE DRIVING CAR IT TURNS OFF. HAS TO BE RESTARTED. FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. NOTICED A PAST RECALL.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11326519
Incident
Apr 4, 2020
Mileage
153,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 2, 2020

THERE ARE TWO ISSUES THAT KEEP OCCURRING THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED. FIRST, SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE VEHICLE EVERY SINGLE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL BE LIT UP, THE WIPERS WILL BE ON, THE RADIO WON'T WORK, AND NONE OF THE GAUGES WILL BE WORKING. I HAVE TO USE MY GPS JUST TO KNOW WHAT MY SPEED IS SINCE THE SPEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. I ALSO CAN'T TURN ON MY DEFROST WHEN THIS HAPPENS SO I'M STUCK SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT WAITING. EVENTUALLY IT WILL RANDOMLY SWITCH BACK TO NORMAL AND THEN EVERYTHING WORKS. MY SECOND ISSUE IS THAT I WILL LOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED IN A ROUNDABOUT ONCE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH! I LOSE IGNITION, POWER STEERING, EVERYTHING. I HAVE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN PARK, AND TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN. ONE OF THESE DAYS THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A CRASH AND THEN I WILL BE SUING VOLKSWAGEN WHEN MY BABIES GET INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. FROM THE LOOKS OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF THESE VANS!

NHTSA ID
11315646
Incident
Mar 2, 2020
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 15, 2020

I TAKE MY VW ROUTAN TO FINISH THE RECALL .BECAUSED MY DOOR OPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING FROM GEORGIA TO FLORIDA WITH MY 2 DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT AND DRIVER REAR SLIDE DOOR OPEN AT 70 MILES.. VW DEALER TALK ME NO HAVE THE PARTS BUT THEY FIXED AND WHEN I TAKE TO DIFFERENT DEALER THEY TALK ME THEY READY DID THE RECALL AND REPLACED THE HARNESS.. THURSDAY MY WIFE DRIVING AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM DOOR OPEN WHEN SHE DRIVING.. TAKE THE MINI VAN TO SHOP AND THEY TALK ME DEALER NEVER DID THE RECALL... I ALWAY HAVE THE MINI VAN AND NO ONE TOUCH DEAR BEFORE...

NHTSA ID
11309406
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Mileage
67,098 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2020

VEHICLE HAS BEEN MOVING AND WILL SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ALL POWER STEERING, BRAKING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS GO OUT. I HAVE TO TRY TO MANUALLY SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RESTART. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED IN 2015 UNDER A RECALL WITH THE WIN MODULE AND VW INDICATES THAT SINCE IT'S BEEN FIXED THEY ONLY OFFER A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. FOR ME TO GET A NEW WIN MODULE, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE $2,000 AND A LONG ESTIMATED TIME WITHOUT THE CAR. THIS CAR IS BLUE BOOKED AS ONLY WORTH $3,500.00. THIS IS AGAIN A FAULTY PIECE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 75K MILES. THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE A CAR WITH 75K MILES AND NEED TWO WIN MODULES SO FAR. I WANT THIS TO BE IN WRITING THAT WHEN I AM DRIVING ON I-95 AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLS AND MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD AND 4 1/2 YEAR OLD AND MYSELF END UP IN A CASKET, IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PRODUCT WHICH THEY WILL NOT COVER AGAIN ON THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11308290
Incident
Feb 8, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 17, 2020

THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING YET VW REFUSES TO ADMIT IT IS A PROBLEM. MY ELECTRICAL WILL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. I WILL NORMALLY LOOSE ANYTHING ELECTRICAL, THROTTLE, SOMETIMES POWER STEERING. THEN THE ELECTRICAL COMES BACK ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER COME ON. IT WILL CONTINUALLY DO THIS, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY. THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DENY THIS UNTIL SOMEBODY IS KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. I BOUGHT MY 2009 VW ROUTAN USED AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS DODGING REPLACING THE TPIM/IGNITION SWITCH, PROBABLY BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE. VW SHOULD ALSO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SINCE IT IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. PLEASE IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND HAVE A VW ROUTAN WITH THIS ISSUE, MAKE A REPORT AND BRING THIS TO LIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11300159
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 20, 2019

CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES CRAZY, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GOES CRAZY. RADIO TURNS OFF AND ON, THEN THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF COMPLETELY. IT TURNS ON AFTER. SOMETIMES ALL THIS HAPPENS BEFORE TURNING OFF, SOMETIMES IT TURNS OFF SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX ISSUE WITH NO LUCK. DRIVING IT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS BUT I CAN'T CHANGE CARS RIGHT NOW. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON SMALL STREETS AND HIGHWAY IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11290284
Incident
Nov 16, 2019

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