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2009 Volkswagen Routan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Routan years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

249 reports with mileage · 45 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

151 reports
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86,980 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW BATTERY WHICH IS CORRECTLY INSTALLED AND FREE OF CORROSION. WHEN THE KEY FOB IS PLACED INTO THE IGNITION AND MOVED FORWARD, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON, AND IT SHOULD START, BUT IT DOES NOT. IF YOU KEEP TRYING, OR WALK AWAY AND COME BACK AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN, IT DOES SOM…

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THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW BATTERY WHICH IS CORRECTLY INSTALLED AND FREE OF CORROSION. WHEN THE KEY FOB IS PLACED INTO THE IGNITION AND MOVED FORWARD, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON, AND IT SHOULD START, BUT IT DOES NOT. IF YOU KEEP TRYING, OR WALK AWAY AND COME BACK AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN, IT DOES SOMETIMES START. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SEAMS TO HAVE NO RHYME OR REASON AND I AM CONCERNED THE VEHICLE MIGHT STOP WHILE MY WIFE OR I DRIVE IT. THIS GENERALLY HAPPENS 4 TO 5 TIMES A MONTH. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583722

64,000 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

WE HAVE A 2009 VW ROUTAN SEL THAT HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW (4-5) WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WARNING AND CAR LOSES POWER. CAR STARTS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING IN PARK AND RESTARTING. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2010 MODEL AS WELL AS THE CHRYSLER MINIVAN WHICH THIS CAR IS BASED FROM. …

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WE HAVE A 2009 VW ROUTAN SEL THAT HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW (4-5) WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WARNING AND CAR LOSES POWER. CAR STARTS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING IN PARK AND RESTARTING. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2010 MODEL AS WELL AS THE CHRYSLER MINIVAN WHICH THIS CAR IS BASED FROM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578476

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure

SLIDING DOOR LOCKS MAKING VERY LOUD VIBRATING NOISE WHEN LOCKED AND FIT THE DESCRIPTION OF RECALL 10V252000 BY VW FOR 2009 ROUTANS MADE IN WINDSOR CANADA DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 2008. SAYS THAT CAR COULD CATCH FIRE BUT VW SAUS THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED SOME HOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573422

62,500 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Electrical System

VAN ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WILL NOT START. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY YOU JUST GET A CLICK... THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 5 MONTHS (THE WHOLE TIME I HAVE HAD THIS VAN) SOME DAYS YOU TRY TO START IT, IT WONT START. THEN YOU TRY AGAIN AND IT MAY START. YESTERDAY THE VAN HAD TO BE TRAILERED TO A DEALERSHIP...BECAUSE YET AGAIN IT WILL N…

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VAN ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WILL NOT START. WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY YOU JUST GET A CLICK... THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 5 MONTHS (THE WHOLE TIME I HAVE HAD THIS VAN) SOME DAYS YOU TRY TO START IT, IT WONT START. THEN YOU TRY AGAIN AND IT MAY START. YESTERDAY THE VAN HAD TO BE TRAILERED TO A DEALERSHIP...BECAUSE YET AGAIN IT WILL NOT START. NOT THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR. WE BELEIVE IT IS A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #10568346

35,500 miles · Sep 27, 2013
Electrical SystemStructure

MY SON GOT IN HIS SEAT IN THE VAN AND I GOT IN DRIVERS SEAT I PUSHED POWER DOOR BUTTON ON CEILING AND HEARD DOOR CLOSING I THOUGHT IT CLOSED ALL THE WAY BUT HAD POWER FAILURE AND STOPPED HALFWAY. I STARTED VAN AND STARTED TO GO, THERE WAS NO ALARM OR ANYTHING TO INFORM ME HIS DOOR WAS STILL HALF OPEN. LUCKILY MY SON IS 5 AND TOL…

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MY SON GOT IN HIS SEAT IN THE VAN AND I GOT IN DRIVERS SEAT I PUSHED POWER DOOR BUTTON ON CEILING AND HEARD DOOR CLOSING I THOUGHT IT CLOSED ALL THE WAY BUT HAD POWER FAILURE AND STOPPED HALFWAY. I STARTED VAN AND STARTED TO GO, THERE WAS NO ALARM OR ANYTHING TO INFORM ME HIS DOOR WAS STILL HALF OPEN. LUCKILY MY SON IS 5 AND TOLD ME HIS DOOR WAS OPEN SO I STOPPED AND BUTTON DID NOTHING I GOT OUT AND BUTTON ON INSIDE OF HIS DOOR DID NOTHING I THAN MANUALLY CLOSED DOOR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IF A CHILD WASN'T BUCKLED OR UNBUCKLED THEMSELVES THEY COULD FALL OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10545628

75,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST WEEK THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE WHILE TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. THE VAN STOPPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN AND WAS STARTED JUST IN TIME AND STARTED MOVING AS ONCOMING CAR ALSO SWERVED TO AVOID MY CAR STALLED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WH…

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WHILE DRIVING ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST WEEK THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE WHILE TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. THE VAN STOPPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN AND WAS STARTED JUST IN TIME AND STARTED MOVING AS ONCOMING CAR ALSO SWERVED TO AVOID MY CAR STALLED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND CAN ONLY GUESS THAT THE WIN MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE WIN MODULE FOR 2010, BUT NOT FOR 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524463

63,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THIS CAR. ALL 4 VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS LOSING PRESSURE IN MY TIRES, AND MECHANIC SAID THEY WERE CORRODED. THEN MY TIPTRONICS DID NOT WORK, ALSO WHEN YOU SHIFTED IN TO GEAR, IT DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE. HAD THE WHOLE SHIFTING LEVER COMPONENT REPLACED. LOTS OF TROUBLE WITH THE DOORS NOT OPENING R…

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WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THIS CAR. ALL 4 VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS LOSING PRESSURE IN MY TIRES, AND MECHANIC SAID THEY WERE CORRODED. THEN MY TIPTRONICS DID NOT WORK, ALSO WHEN YOU SHIFTED IN TO GEAR, IT DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE. HAD THE WHOLE SHIFTING LEVER COMPONENT REPLACED. LOTS OF TROUBLE WITH THE DOORS NOT OPENING RIGHT, THEN WHEN CLOSING THE SENSOR DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. ALMOST HAD MY KIDS GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. IF THE CAR IS EVEN ON THE SLIGHTEST SLOPE THE DOOR WON'T CLOSE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. NO POWER STEERING! VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GO ON VACATION, I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE WITH IT. HAPPENED MAY TIMES. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. NOW I THINK THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING. I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS CAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522951

376,500 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

I WAS DRIVING APPROX 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. WITHOUT A WARNING (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO BATTERY LIGHT, ETC) MY ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE STILL CRUISING AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD MOMENTUM, BUT NO POWER STEERING TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE ROAD TO TURN, SO I CAN POSITION THE VEHICLE TO STOP ON THE SH…

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I WAS DRIVING APPROX 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. WITHOUT A WARNING (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO BATTERY LIGHT, ETC) MY ENGINE TURNED OFF WHILE STILL CRUISING AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD MOMENTUM, BUT NO POWER STEERING TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE ROAD TO TURN, SO I CAN POSITION THE VEHICLE TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE VEHICLE. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO OTHER VEHICLES, BECAUSE I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR OTHER THAN BRAKING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A HIGHWAY. TOWED VEHICLE DEALER FOUND A BLOWN ENGINE FUSE. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE FUSE. TWO HOURS LATER, SAME SCENARIO AND SAME ISSUE CAME BACK. TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY BELIEVE ITS A GROUNDING WIRE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. COULD POTENTIALLY TRANSLATE INTO MAJOR ACCIDENT OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522844

200 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE (NO POWER, NO POWER STEERING) WHILE DRIVING 45MPH ON A 7 LANE MAJOR STREET. THANKFULLY IT WAS IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE ACROSS THE INTERSECTION TO A SIDE STREET WHERE I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AND IT RESUMED POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 MORE TIMES SINCE…

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COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE (NO POWER, NO POWER STEERING) WHILE DRIVING 45MPH ON A 7 LANE MAJOR STREET. THANKFULLY IT WAS IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE ACROSS THE INTERSECTION TO A SIDE STREET WHERE I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AND IT RESUMED POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 MORE TIMES SINCE THEN, USUALLY WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519722

76,200 miles · Apr 18, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

OUR ROUTAN WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 MPH AFTER PULLING OUT OF PARKING PLACES AND TURNING IN TO MAIN ROADS THE POWER STEERING, BRAKES, GAS ALL STOP WORKING THE CAR BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL THE BRAKES AND GAS BOTH DO NOT WORK AND YOU HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP ONCE STOPPED YOU HAVE PUT THE VAN IN PARK TURN KEY OFF AND RESTA…

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OUR ROUTAN WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 MPH AFTER PULLING OUT OF PARKING PLACES AND TURNING IN TO MAIN ROADS THE POWER STEERING, BRAKES, GAS ALL STOP WORKING THE CAR BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL THE BRAKES AND GAS BOTH DO NOT WORK AND YOU HAVE TO COAST TO A STOP ONCE STOPPED YOU HAVE PUT THE VAN IN PARK TURN KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TWICE IN A 2 WEEK TIME FRAME EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE BACK BOTH IN CAR SEATS. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM ON A FREEWAY AND THIS HAPPENS AT 60-70MPH? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508723

Official recalls

6

16V083000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Feb 11, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

15V194000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Apr 1, 2015

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 the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H1. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 11V151 and 14V396. Vehicles that previously received an ignition switch trim ring as a recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign. Vehicles that have already received a new ignition switch are not covered by this campaign.

14V396000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 1, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will modify the ignition switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1- 800-822-8987. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 29, 2014. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28G1/U8. Note: This campaign is an expansion of NHTSA Recall No. 11V-151.

14V055000 · SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED Axle Assembly

Feb 11, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.

10V252000 · Electrical System:wiring

Jun 10, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE SLIDING DOOR WIRE TRACK WIRE ASSEMBLY AND THE SLIDING DOOR POWER DRIVE UNIT WIRE ASSEMBLY FOR DAMAGE, REPAIR/REPLACE AS NECESSARY, TIE STRAP THE TWO HARNESSES TOGETHER AND ROUTE THE HARNESSES UNDER THE SLIDING DOOR WEATHER STRIP. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

09V244000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Jul 1, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEND AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE REQUIRED AIR BAG INFORMATION FOR OWNER INSTALLATION OR DEALERS WILL INSTALL IN THE EVENT THE OWNER PREFERS ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.