What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2009 Volkswagen Routan

Typical pattern

4.8% of complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2009 vehicle — around the middle of the 212 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.9 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (152 complaints), typically at 6.1 yr or about 74,000 miles.

Complaints
461
Median age at failure
5.9 yr
Median mileage
66,000 n=401
Crash / fire / tow
6.7% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
152 reports · 74,000 mi
6.1 yr
4.6%
Engine
78 reports · 70,000 mi
6.0 yr
3.8%
Service brakes
38 reports · 65,000 mi
5.9 yr
0%
Steering
34 reports · 76,200 mi
6.2 yr
5.9%
Power train
20 reports · 65,000 mi
6.5 yr
20%
Structure
18 reports · 7,400 mi
2.3 yr
16.7%
Other
15 reports · 86,000 mi
8.3 yr
13.3%
Service brakes, hydraulic
15 reports · 18,000 mi
2.1 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V083000 2016-02-11
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

15V194000 2015-04-01
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. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. 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

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. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

14V396000 2014-07-01
Electrical system:ignition

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles. 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. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

14V055000 2014-02-11
Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly

Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.

Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.

10V252000 2010-06-10
Electrical system:wiring

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2008 THROUGH JULY 2009. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPER ROUTED WIRE HARNESS THAT MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE LOWER SLIDING DOOR HINGE BRACKET CAN MAKE CONTACT AND WEAR THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION. CONTACT WITH A 12V POWER FEED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE HARNESS MAY CAUSE A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE LATCH MECHANISM LOCATED INSIDE OF THE SLIDING DOOR.

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED LATCH AND A FIRE WITHIN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR COULD OCCUR.

09V244000 2009-07-01
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 18,500 MY 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS PRINTED WITHOUT THE FMVSS NO. 208 REQUIRED INFORMATION EXPLAINING THAT NO OBJECTS SHOULD BE PLACED OVER THE OR NEAR THE AIR BAG ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

ANY SUCH OBJECTS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE.

In owners’ own words

Other 62,000 mi 4.8 yr in service
PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR WIRE HARNESS KEEPS COMING OUT OF PLACE AND GETTING CAUGHT IN DOOR. LOCAL DEALER CLAIMS THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING.
Other 42,000 mi 4.5 yr in service crash / fire / tow
THE ELECTRONIC DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OPEN. THE DOOR WILL POWER OPEN THEN SLIDE BACK SHUT HITTING WHOEVER OR WHATEVER IS IN THE WAY. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VAN WAS CHECKED BY OUR LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE. THIS HAS LED TO MYSELF AND CHILDREN BEING HIT BY THE DOOR LEAVING BRUISES. IT ALMOST SMASHED MY 2 YEAR OLD DAYCARE CHILD'S LEG IN THE DOOR BUT I INTERVENED STOPPING THE DOOR PRIOR TO IT HITTING HER. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ALSO WITH NO REMEDY FROM VW.
Other 158,560 mi 8.8 yr in service
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES LEAVING US STRANDED. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. OUR MECHANIC HAS RUN MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS TO NO AVAIL, THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE IGNITION FAILURE. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL START AND NOT GO INTO GEAR. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT INTO GEAR BY TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, ASSUMING IT WILL TURN BACK ON AGAIN. THERE IS DANGER IN BEING STRANDED FAR FROM HOME WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR.
Power train 412 mi 1.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SLIPPED INTO REVERSE WHILE I WAS BEHIND IT TODAY RUNNING ME OVER AND CAUSING A LEG INJURY. *TR

Other Routan model years

2012201120102009

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