← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

15 reports
Clear category filter
58,329 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED EVERY 8,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOA DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,329.

NHTSA ODI #10610633

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF DRIVING THE VAN, I NOTICED SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BAD BRAKING HABITS. LAST YEAR, I RODE AN AMERICAN VERSION OF THIS VAN (CHRYSLER OR DODGE), THERE WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT REAR ROTORS WERE BAD. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THERE WE…

Read full complaint

AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF DRIVING THE VAN, I NOTICED SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BAD BRAKING HABITS. LAST YEAR, I RODE AN AMERICAN VERSION OF THIS VAN (CHRYSLER OR DODGE), THERE WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT REAR ROTORS WERE BAD. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR IT HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL REPLACE WITH BETTER PARTS. I THINK THE BRAKES WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR THE V8 ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451502

12,000 miles · Dec 18, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS WARP VERY QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE (WHICH IS ALSO MADE BY CHRYSLER). DURING HEAVY BRAKING AT 40MPH THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES VERY HEAVILY DUE TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS (HAPPENS UNDER 12000MILES). DON'T SEE HOW ANTILOCK SENSORS CAN WITHSTAND THIS VIBRATION AND GET AN ACCURATE READING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LOCKING TH…

Read full complaint

BRAKE ROTORS WARP VERY QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE (WHICH IS ALSO MADE BY CHRYSLER). DURING HEAVY BRAKING AT 40MPH THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES VERY HEAVILY DUE TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS (HAPPENS UNDER 12000MILES). DON'T SEE HOW ANTILOCK SENSORS CAN WITHSTAND THIS VIBRATION AND GET AN ACCURATE READING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LOCKING THE WHEELS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD INCIDENTS WHERE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 40MPH HOUR THAT I HAVE SKIDDED BUT WAS SMART ENOUGH TO LET OFF ONCE I REALIZED THE ABS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND RE-APPLIED THE BRAKES.VW AND DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE ROTORS WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE AS THEY CLAIM. IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN A BAD ACCIDENT THINKING THAT ABS BRAKES AND THERE BRAKING SYSTEM IS RELIABLE. HIGH SPEED BRAKING IS NOT SOMETHING YOU DO EVERYDAY BUT IN AN EMERGENCY AND THAT'S WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR BRAKES ARE WARPED AND IN NEED OF REPAIR!!! BUT IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440342

26,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMER BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMER BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECENT FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10437571

20,041 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE 09 VW ROUTAN HAS NEEDED BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED EVERY 9 MONTHS. TO DATE VW HAS COVERED THE COST OF REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER HAVE YET TO MAKE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #10419086

32,878 miles · Aug 6, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BOUGHT THE VAN IN SEPT OF 2009 WITH APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES. WERE TOLD IT WAS A DEMO VEHICLE FOR AUTO SHOWS. HAD TO BRING IT BACK WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR BRAKE ISSUES...POUNDING-PULSATING WHEN STOPPING. BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS CONTINUALLY PULSATE. PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN STOPPING ON THE DOWNHILL OR WHEN BRAKES ARE HEATED OR…

Read full complaint

BOUGHT THE VAN IN SEPT OF 2009 WITH APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES. WERE TOLD IT WAS A DEMO VEHICLE FOR AUTO SHOWS. HAD TO BRING IT BACK WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR BRAKE ISSUES...POUNDING-PULSATING WHEN STOPPING. BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS CONTINUALLY PULSATE. PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN STOPPING ON THE DOWNHILL OR WHEN BRAKES ARE HEATED OR PRESSURED. FEEL LIKE WE LOSE BREAKING ABILITY WHEN BREAKING ON THE DOWNHILL. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THE SITUATION CORRECTED. UNDER WARRANTEE AGREEMENT, ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED A COUPLE OF TIMES, PADS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AT VOLKSWAGON'S EXPENSE. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. LAST SERVICE (5/10/11) AT VOLKSWAGON DEALERSHIP, BRAKES WERE INSPECTED AND WE WERE TOLD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS NEEDED FIXING INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR ROTORS RESURFACED, PADS, ETC. BUT EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTEE, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. VOLKSWAGON HAS RECORDS OF SERVICE TO OUR VAN SO KNOW OF THE ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED IT. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNER WHO IS EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUE WITH HER BRAKES. WE FEEL THAT VOLKSWAGON NEEDS TO HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS OBVIOUSLY REPLACING ROTORS AND PADS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE USE THIS CAR TO TRAVEL BETWEEN HOMES IN CT AND FL AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM AND SERVICED AT VOLKSWAGON IN AND ALSO SERVICED AT IN CLEARWATER, FL. LAST SERVICE, WHEN THEY REFUSED TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS TO BRAKES WAS AT IN FL. WE HAVE COMPLETE SET OF SERVICE RECORDS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

NHTSA ODI #10417747

200 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WITH AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHO STATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT COMPATIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE WEIGH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WITH AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHO STATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT COMPATIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE WEIGHT CAPACITY. THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

NHTSA ODI #10407066

18,000 miles · May 21, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VW ROUTAN 2009-THE BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER 6 WEEKS STARTED TO SHAKE AND AT TIMES I HAVE COME CLOSE TO NOT COMING TO A FULL STOP DUE TO THE VIOLENT VIBRATION IT CAUSED. I AM THINKING THAT IF I DON'T EASE UP ON THE BRAKES THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO EXPLODE. THIS CONTINUES EVEN AFTER REQUESTING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. N…

Read full complaint

VW ROUTAN 2009-THE BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER 6 WEEKS STARTED TO SHAKE AND AT TIMES I HAVE COME CLOSE TO NOT COMING TO A FULL STOP DUE TO THE VIOLENT VIBRATION IT CAUSED. I AM THINKING THAT IF I DON'T EASE UP ON THE BRAKES THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO EXPLODE. THIS CONTINUES EVEN AFTER REQUESTING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. NOW AT 18000 MILES I AM REQUIRING TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKES. $$$. UNFAIR. WITH ALL THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, I AM TEMPTED TO TRADE IN.. I USE TO LOVE AND TRUST THE VW REPUTATION:(( TIME TO CHANGE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402262

40,715 miles · Mar 17, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PREMATURE REAR BRAKE FAILURE. WITH 40K MILES THE REAR CALIPER LOCKED CAUSING BURNING OF THE PADS, AND REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390455

3,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES STARTED SHAKING AT AROUND 3,000 MILES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE WARPED ROTORS CAUSED A SHIMMY THAT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS AND WITHIN 500 MILES THEY EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE DEALER THEN CHANGED ALL FOUR ROTORS. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 20,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING THE SAM…

Read full complaint

BRAKES STARTED SHAKING AT AROUND 3,000 MILES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE WARPED ROTORS CAUSED A SHIMMY THAT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS AND WITHIN 500 MILES THEY EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE DEALER THEN CHANGED ALL FOUR ROTORS. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 20,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384309

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.