NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
38 reportsClear category filter22,837 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Service Brakes
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING AT 22,837 MILES IN 2010. VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL AND APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP. FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED . TWO YEARS LATER IN 2012 AT 43,919 MILES BACK ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED, AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. IN 2013 AT 68,797 MILES 2 …
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PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING AT 22,837 MILES IN 2010. VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL AND APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP. FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED . TWO YEARS LATER IN 2012 AT 43,919 MILES BACK ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED, AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. IN 2013 AT 68,797 MILES 2 OF THE NEW TIRES WERE REPLACED AND ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. CAR STOPS SOMETIMES AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON IMMEDIATELY. IN 2014 AT 90,000 MILES, BATTERY DIED AND ANTIFREEZE IN RADIATOR EXPLODED, HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY AND A PART FOR THE RADIATOR. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, 2 TIRES AND HAD ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING, MECHANIC SAID IT MAY BE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF. DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK UNLESS YOU PUSH THE LOCK DOWN WITH YOUR HAND. MECHANIC SAYS THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHEN TIRES ARE ROTATED THE NEXT TIME (THESE WERE REPLACED WITH THE ROTORS IN JUNE OR JULY 2014). IF YOU LEAN AGAINST BACK SEAT FROM THE TRUNK AREA, IT FALLS FORWARD AND THE MIDDLE SEAT NO LONGER FOLDS DOWN. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STALLS WHEN YOU TRY TO ROLL IT UP OR DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663282
12,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE 24000 MILES. VW DEALER NEVER WANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. KEEP TELL ME THIS NORMAL. NOW I HAVE TO ADD QUARTER OIL EVERY MONTH. ON MORNING CAR WASN'T STARTING AND TOOK TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AT 42000 MILES BUT NOW THE KEY GET STUCK ON IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES. I HOPE THE RECALL WILL FIX …
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OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE 24000 MILES. VW DEALER NEVER WANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. KEEP TELL ME THIS NORMAL. NOW I HAVE TO ADD QUARTER OIL EVERY MONTH. ON MORNING CAR WASN'T STARTING AND TOOK TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AT 42000 MILES BUT NOW THE KEY GET STUCK ON IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES. I HOPE THE RECALL WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AT 12000 MILES DUE THE VIBRATION WHILE BRAKES. I HAD MULTIPLES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SOME WAS REPAIR AFTER COUPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. WHEN WE WILL HAVE OUR MONEY BACK? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649852
64,680 miles · Sep 27, 2014
Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING APPROX 30-35MPH, MY VAN BEGAN TO SMELL HOT AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. I HAD TWO OF MY THREE CHILDREN WITH ME. I FRANTICALLY TOLD MY 14 YR OLD SON WHO WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO GET TO THE BACK AND HELP HIS FOUR YR OLD SISTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT (WE WERE STILL MOVING) I PULLED …
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WHILE DRIVING APPROX 30-35MPH, MY VAN BEGAN TO SMELL HOT AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. I HAD TWO OF MY THREE CHILDREN WITH ME. I FRANTICALLY TOLD MY 14 YR OLD SON WHO WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO GET TO THE BACK AND HELP HIS FOUR YR OLD SISTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT (WE WERE STILL MOVING) I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD THEM QUICKLY EXIT THE LEFT SLIDING DOOR OF THE VAN. LATER THAT EVENING I WENT BACK TO RETRIEVE THE VAN ALONE AND AS SOON AS THE VAN BEGAN TO MOVE IT MADE THE MOST HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE I HAVE EVER HEARD. I IMMEDIATELY KNEW IT WAS A SEIZED BRAKE CALIPER, (NOT BECAUSE I AM A MECHANIC. I AM A SPEECH THERAPIST). I KNEW BECAUSE APPROX 4 MONTHS PRIOR THE VAN MADE THE EXACT SAME SOUND WITH NO WARNING WHEN THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER SEIZED AND BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES WERE REPLACED! =$780). I DROVE TO THE CLOSEST BRAKE SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. COST=$733.68. I TRAVEL AS A SPEECH THERAPIST. I WAS IN JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FL DURING THIS FIASCO. THE PRIOR BRAKE REPAIR WAS DONE IN PHOENIX, AZ SO I COULD NOT USE THE SAME COMPANY OR QUESTION THE WARRANTY. IT CLEARLY ISN'T A WARRANTY ISSUE. AM I TO BELIEVE IT IS NORMAL TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM INCLUDING ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS, DISCS, CALIPERS, BUSHINGS, PIN BOOTS, ETC,,, EVERY 7,000 MILES?? I THINK NOT. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ALL THOSE WORDS UNTIL I PURCHASED A ROUTAN. SOMETHING IS WRONG. THESE VANS ARE DANGEROUS. I WILL NOT DRIVE MY CHILDREN LONG DISTANCES OR ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE VAN, WHICH I PURCHASED BECAUSE WE DON'T ALL FIT IN THE COROLLA. I AM ASKING VW TO REIMBURSE ME. WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES. THANK GOODNESS ALL I HAVE LOST IS MONEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639586
57,311 miles · Sep 27, 2014
Service BrakesSteering
WHILE DRIVING IN PHOENIX AZ THE VAN BEGAN TO SHAKE AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. (THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY). LATER THE SAME EVENING BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK AND GRIND. UNTIL THIS DAY THE ONLY ISSUE HAD BEEN THE INTERMITTENT SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. THERE WAS NO SQUEAKING PRIOR TO THE GRINDING.…
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WHILE DRIVING IN PHOENIX AZ THE VAN BEGAN TO SHAKE AND STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. (THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY). LATER THE SAME EVENING BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK AND GRIND. UNTIL THIS DAY THE ONLY ISSUE HAD BEEN THE INTERMITTENT SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. THERE WAS NO SQUEAKING PRIOR TO THE GRINDING. RIGHT REAR CALIPER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL FRONT/REAR BRAKES ROTORS DRUMS AND HARDWARE. COST=$780.55. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639574
30,000 miles · Sep 27, 2014
EngineService Brakes
DRIVING FROM INDIANA TO PHOENIX THE VAN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE BRAKING DOWNHILL ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP OVER 200 AND VAN SMELLED WARM. VAN DID NOT OVERHEAT AND PROBLEM SUBSIDED ONCE BACK ON LEVEL GROUND. PURCHASED VAN USED ON JULY 10 2012 WITH APPROX 25,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639571
79,578 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Air BagsEngineService Brakes
VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LOSING ALL CONTROL, USE OF BRAKES AND STEERING. IT HAS BEEN 4 WEEKS SINCE THE RECALL WAS SENT OUT AND THERE IS STILL NO FIX AVAILABLE, AND THE COMPANY CAN NOT GIVE ANY OTHER INFORMATION BESIDES THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638137
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2014
Service BrakesSteering
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING NEAR 30MPH OR EVEN HIGHER THAN THAT, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL VERY TIGHTLY TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL. THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN GENERAL SEEMS TO BE FAULTY AS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED/CHANGED EVERY TWO…
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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING NEAR 30MPH OR EVEN HIGHER THAN THAT, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, IT SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL VERY TIGHTLY TO AVOID LOOSING CONTROL. THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN GENERAL SEEMS TO BE FAULTY AS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED/CHANGED EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THESE BRAKES AND ROTORS AS WELL AS PAY FOR THE LABOR EVERY FEW MONTHS. THIS IS A GREAT CONCERN AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10630296
91,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering
THE ENGINE TURNED TO OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND DEPOWERED POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. AT THAT POINT I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO VW DEALER, KEPT THE CAR FOR 24 HOURS, AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT SO NOTHING WAS DONE BY THEM. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 93000 MILES ON AUGUST 8, …
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THE ENGINE TURNED TO OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND DEPOWERED POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. AT THAT POINT I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO VW DEALER, KEPT THE CAR FOR 24 HOURS, AND THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE INCIDENT SO NOTHING WAS DONE BY THEM. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 93000 MILES ON AUGUST 8, 2014. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621954
40,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Service Brakes
SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THIS VAN THE VAN WOULD SHAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE FOR VERIFICATION AND WAS TOLD MY BRAKES WERE BAD, THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. WENT BACK TO DEALER AND TOLD MGR ABOUT THE SECOND OPINION SO HE HAD THE BRAKES…
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SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THIS VAN THE VAN WOULD SHAKE WHEN BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER PLACE FOR VERIFICATION AND WAS TOLD MY BRAKES WERE BAD, THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. WENT BACK TO DEALER AND TOLD MGR ABOUT THE SECOND OPINION SO HE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10620752
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
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 ↗