NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
20 reportsClear category filter21,432 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
EVEN AFTER REBUILDING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A PAUSE, THEN A JARRING AS IT SLIPS INTO R GEAR; BUT EVERY TIME ACCELERATION IS ATTEMPTED IN R, THERE IS A DELAY, FOLLOWED BY CONSISTENT LAG; IF ATTEMPTING TO R UP AN INCLINE, IF SPEED IS NOT ALREADY OVER A SPECIFIC MINIMUM, VE…
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EVEN AFTER REBUILDING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A PAUSE, THEN A JARRING AS IT SLIPS INTO R GEAR; BUT EVERY TIME ACCELERATION IS ATTEMPTED IN R, THERE IS A DELAY, FOLLOWED BY CONSISTENT LAG; IF ATTEMPTING TO R UP AN INCLINE, IF SPEED IS NOT ALREADY OVER A SPECIFIC MINIMUM, VEHICLE THEN ASSUMES ACTION AS IF IT IS IN N. EVEN AN INCLINE SLOPE OF SIMPLY BACKING INTO A DRIVEWAY, IF VEHICLE IS NOT ENTIRELY ACROSS THE INCLINE, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO CONTINUE CONTROLLING A REVERSE MOVEMENT, THOUGH ENGINE RESPONDS AS THOUGH IN N. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE; THAT HAS PERSISTED EVEN AFTER REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION. ANOTHER ISSUE THAT BEGAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO; IS THAT THE DOOR'S LOCKING MECHANISMS FOR SEVERAL OF THE DOORS, NO LONGER OPERATE PROPERLY. LOCKING VIA KEY FOB, OR DOOR PANEL, DOES NOT ACTUALLY ENGAGE THE DOOR TO LOCK. NOR DOES UNLOCKING THE DOORS VIA KEY FOB, OR DOOR PANELS.
NHTSA ODI #11280049
106,672 miles · Sep 14, 2019
Power Train
CAR WON'T GO MORE THAN 50 MILES PER HOUR
NHTSA ODI #11255462
128,000 miles · Feb 14, 2019
Power Train
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. NO SPECIFIC TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE, NO SPECIFIC TIME OF DAY, JUST SHUTS OFF MORE THEN ONCE WHILE DRIVING TO LOCATIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11180180
115,226 miles · Nov 13, 2018
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY JERKED FORWARD AND BACKWARD AS IF IT WERE SKIPPING A GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH TWO UNKNOWN DEALERS AND THEN CONTACTED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY JERKED FORWARD AND BACKWARD AS IF IT WERE SKIPPING A GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH TWO UNKNOWN DEALERS AND THEN CONTACTED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERDRIVE SOLENOID CIRCUIT OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER CONDUCTING SOME RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE MANUFACTURER PLACED A CHRYSLER ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION INTO HER VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC COMPLETED THE REPAIRS WITH ANOTHER NEW CHRYSLER TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PART. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE ACCELERATION AND HAD TO BE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 181899879 AND NHTSA'S PHONE NUMBER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,226. *TT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11151140
75,000 miles · May 22, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE VIN SEARCH REVELED NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE VIN SEARCH REVELED NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #11097259
120,000 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Power TrainService BrakesSteering
WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT STALLED! THERE IS NO CHECK LIGHT ON AND WHEN IT DOES THIS WE LOST ALL POWER BREAKING AND STEERING. THIS ALMOST HAPPENED TO US AROUND AN ELEVATED CORNER LUCKILY WE HAD JUST PAST THE CURVE WHEN WE LOST ALL POWER. IN READING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE TOWN AND COUNTRY ROUTA…
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WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT STALLED! THERE IS NO CHECK LIGHT ON AND WHEN IT DOES THIS WE LOST ALL POWER BREAKING AND STEERING. THIS ALMOST HAPPENED TO US AROUND AN ELEVATED CORNER LUCKILY WE HAD JUST PAST THE CURVE WHEN WE LOST ALL POWER. IN READING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE TOWN AND COUNTRY ROUTAN GRAND CARAVAN AND ALL ASSOCIATED MODELS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE DUE TO THE DANGER AND POTENTIAL RISK TO HUMAN LIFE! WE BOUGHT THIS VAN TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE NOT HAVE TO WORRY OF IT WILL LOOSE POWER STEERING AT 30 MPH IN A CANYON CORNER!
NHTSA ODI #11074207
85,900 miles · Feb 13, 2017
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 85800 MILES AND WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75 TO 80 MILES, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING. IT LOSES POWER
NHTSA ODI #10954336
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2016
Power Train
I BOUGHT MY VW ROUTAN USED IN SEPTEMBER 2014. IN THE 1ST COUPLE OF MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STOP SHIFTING (I WOULD TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON) TO FIX IT AND IN NOVEMBER 2014 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND GOT STUCK IN 3RD GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDN'T RESET AFTER TURNING OFF, THIS IS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AT 62…
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I BOUGHT MY VW ROUTAN USED IN SEPTEMBER 2014. IN THE 1ST COUPLE OF MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD STOP SHIFTING (I WOULD TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON) TO FIX IT AND IN NOVEMBER 2014 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND GOT STUCK IN 3RD GEAR WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDN'T RESET AFTER TURNING OFF, THIS IS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AT 62,000 MILES. HAD TO HAVE A NEW $6000 TRANSMISSION BROUGHT IN FROM GERMANY TO BE PUT IN THE VAN. NOW LESS THAN 30,000 MILES LATER AFTER A NEW ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION PUT IN, HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM NOT SHIFTING OUT OF 3RD GEAR AND HAVING TO PULL IT OVER TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10919780
65,000 miles · Aug 21, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
*SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR NO APPARENT REASON.VW SERVICE DEPT. CANNOT DETECT AN ISSUE. *ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING-VW CANNOT DETECT ANYTHING WRONG.* ALARMS GO OFF BUT NO SIGNAL SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD.*POWER WINDOWS AND SEATS WORK INTERMITTENTLY- *FOUND VEHICLE'S SLIDING DOOR WIDE OPEN I P…
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*SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR NO APPARENT REASON.VW SERVICE DEPT. CANNOT DETECT AN ISSUE. *ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING-VW CANNOT DETECT ANYTHING WRONG.* ALARMS GO OFF BUT NO SIGNAL SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD.*POWER WINDOWS AND SEATS WORK INTERMITTENTLY- *FOUND VEHICLE'S SLIDING DOOR WIDE OPEN I PARKING LOT, TWICE. * HAVE ALSO FOUND WINDOWS OPEN. OUR LIFT GATE (TRUNK) OPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.* VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT,WHILE DRIVING, REVVED AND WOULD NOT RESET UNTIL PULLING OVER AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. THOUGH VW COULD NOT FIND FAULTY READINGS AND DIDN'T BELIEVE TIPM IS THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T READ IT. BEING FAMILIAR WITH PROGRAMMING, I KNOW THAT GLITCHES CAN CAUSE FAULTY READINGS.IF THERE IS A GLITCH BEFORE THE READING CAN BE PROCESSED BY THE COMPUTER, THERE WILL BE NO FAULTY READING LOGGED. A PC WON'T SAVE A FILE, EITHER IF THE POWER SUPPLY IS INTERRUPTED BEFORE IT CAN DO SO..TIPM MALFUNCTIONS CAN ALSO CAUSE ALL OTHER ISSUES I HAVE EXPERIENCED. UPON GETTING A SECOND OPINION FROM TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS, THEY SAID ONLY THE SOLENOID WAS FAULTY. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT A FAULTY TIPM BOX WILL CAUSE SOLENOID ISSUES AND EVENTUALLY RUIN THE NEW ONE, TOO. *RECENTLY, ALL LOCKS STOPPED WORKING & THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE OPENED & LOCKED MANUALLY. AT THE SAME TIME ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON AND HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AT THE DASHBOARD- THIS WOULD HAVE DRAINED THE BATTERY HAD IT HAPPENED ON A WORK DAY. VW HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 2 FULL DAYS AND YET DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. WE HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES AND USELESS REPAIRS FOR OVER 2 YEARS. ALL ISSUES POINT TO FAULTY TIPM (MANUFACTURED BY CHRYSLER, WHO HAD TO SETTLE IN A LAWSUIT ABOUT THE TIPM BOX/ FAULTY RELAY ISSUE FOR JEEP, DODGE, AND CHRYSLER). WE NEED HELP WITH THESE ISSUES. TOO MANY OF US HAVE IT 2011 AND 2012 MODELS AS WELL. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10897474
52,577 miles · Jun 28, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I DRIVING LAST MONTH 47 MPH AND MY DRIVING SLIDING DOOR OPEN AND MY 8 YEARS GIRLS WAS DEAR AND SHE SCARE WHEN THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I DRIVING ,, AND WHEN I STOP THE DOOR NOT WANT TO CLOSE AUTOMATIC..THAT SCARE ME AND MY WIFE... THE OTHER CONCERN IS MY TRANSMISION HARD SHIFFTING ,HARD SHIFFTING , I READY TAKE LIKE 5,6 TIME MY VAN TO…
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I DRIVING LAST MONTH 47 MPH AND MY DRIVING SLIDING DOOR OPEN AND MY 8 YEARS GIRLS WAS DEAR AND SHE SCARE WHEN THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I DRIVING ,, AND WHEN I STOP THE DOOR NOT WANT TO CLOSE AUTOMATIC..THAT SCARE ME AND MY WIFE... THE OTHER CONCERN IS MY TRANSMISION HARD SHIFFTING ,HARD SHIFFTING , I READY TAKE LIKE 5,6 TIME MY VAN TO CHECK MY TRANSMISSION AND MY SLIDING DOOR AND THE SAY IS NORMAL , AND MY SLIDING DOOR NOT FOUND ANYTIME , THEY SAY THE SLIDING DOOR RECALL WAS DONE READY,, THE OTHER BIG CONCERN IS THE GAS MILEAGE, ONLY 11 OR 12 GALLON FOR MILES THEY DID A LOT TEST AND NOT FOUND NOTHING ,,IS POSS TO 16 MPH FOR GALLON AND NEVER HAVE THAT,,.... THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #10730842
Official recalls
6Feb 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗