NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
18 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 22, 2021
Structure
The brackets that hold the automatic door wires brake continuously. Then the wire gets pinched in the door and it causes a large amount of electrical problems. The abs, esp bad, brake, and traction control lights come on when the wire gets pinched. These doors were made very poorly and should have been looked over before this…
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The brackets that hold the automatic door wires brake continuously. Then the wire gets pinched in the door and it causes a large amount of electrical problems. The abs, esp bad, brake, and traction control lights come on when the wire gets pinched. These doors were made very poorly and should have been looked over before this vehicle was made.
NHTSA ODI #11425987
48,000 miles · Jun 21, 2017
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GURLEY LEEP MOTORWERKS (4004 GRAPE RD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK SWITCH AND LOCKING ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LATCH …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GURLEY LEEP MOTORWERKS (4004 GRAPE RD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK SWITCH AND LOCKING ROD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT LATER THE POWER LOCKS ON THE SAME DOOR FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO GURLEY LEEP MOTORWERKS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CABLE GUIDE WIRE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #11000384
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 02/05/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10639933
58,000 miles · Jun 7, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure
I'VE HAD THE VW ROUTAN SINCE 2010 - PURCHASED IT WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S A SEL SO IT'S AUTO-EVERYTHING. IN THE PAST 12-16 MONTHS BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT PASSENGER AUTO DOORS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A WIRING ISSUE. (2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS; $300 EACH REPAIR). TODAY, MY LEFT PASSENGER AUTO DOOR STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE …
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I'VE HAD THE VW ROUTAN SINCE 2010 - PURCHASED IT WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S A SEL SO IT'S AUTO-EVERYTHING. IN THE PAST 12-16 MONTHS BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT PASSENGER AUTO DOORS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A WIRING ISSUE. (2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS; $300 EACH REPAIR). TODAY, MY LEFT PASSENGER AUTO DOOR STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE SEES NORMAL USAGE AND HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596874
66,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsStructureInjury
POWER SLIDING DOORS ACTUATE ON OWN, WITHOUT WARNING, BOTH OPEN AND CLOSE WITH NO REGARD TO HUMANS OR OBJECT IN THE PATH. DOOR HANDLES CHROME DELAMINATION CAUSING SEVERE CUTS. POWER THIRD ROW SEATING MOTOR/FRAME FAILURE CAUSING SEATS MOUNTING POINTS TO BE UNSECURED. DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA UNWILLING TO CORRECT SAFETY ISSUES …
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POWER SLIDING DOORS ACTUATE ON OWN, WITHOUT WARNING, BOTH OPEN AND CLOSE WITH NO REGARD TO HUMANS OR OBJECT IN THE PATH. DOOR HANDLES CHROME DELAMINATION CAUSING SEVERE CUTS. POWER THIRD ROW SEATING MOTOR/FRAME FAILURE CAUSING SEATS MOUNTING POINTS TO BE UNSECURED. DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA UNWILLING TO CORRECT SAFETY ISSUES WITHOUT LARGE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584240
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
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
4,000 miles · Dec 17, 2012
Structure
WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH OUR VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SINCE NEARLY DAY ONE. WHILE PARKED ON ANY TYPE OF SURFACE, (HILL, OR FLAT, DOWN HILL, OR UP HILL). ON OCCASION THE DOOR WHILE OPENING OR CLOSING WILL RE-CLOSE OR NOT OPEN. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD GET IN THE DOOR BEFORE DOOR HAS COME TO COMPLETE REST…
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WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH OUR VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SINCE NEARLY DAY ONE. WHILE PARKED ON ANY TYPE OF SURFACE, (HILL, OR FLAT, DOWN HILL, OR UP HILL). ON OCCASION THE DOOR WHILE OPENING OR CLOSING WILL RE-CLOSE OR NOT OPEN. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD GET IN THE DOOR BEFORE DOOR HAS COME TO COMPLETE REST. THE CHILD GETS IN AS THE DOOR OPENS, AND THE DOOR CLOSES BACK ON HIM AS IT COULDN'T OPEN PROPERLY. WE HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY VW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT WAS NOT RESOLVED. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THESE DOORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488973
50,750 miles · Aug 17, 2012
Electrical SystemStructure
TOOK 2009 VW ROUTAN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN 2010 DUE TO SAFETY RECALL ON SLIDING DOORS (FAULTY WIRE HARNESS). PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS FITTED WITH TIE WRAP. DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS INSPECTED BUT NO WORK WAS PERFORMED. THIS WEEK, DOOR STOPPED WORKING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON WEDNESDAY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $383…
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TOOK 2009 VW ROUTAN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN 2010 DUE TO SAFETY RECALL ON SLIDING DOORS (FAULTY WIRE HARNESS). PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS FITTED WITH TIE WRAP. DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS INSPECTED BUT NO WORK WAS PERFORMED. THIS WEEK, DOOR STOPPED WORKING ON DRIVER'S SIDE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON WEDNESDAY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $383 TO REPAIR WIRE HARNESS. CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE TO EXPLAIN PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT CASE WOULD BE STARTED. WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT SOLUTION. VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FINISHED ON THURSDAY. NOW BEING TOLD IT WILL BE MONDAY. WE WERE GIVEN A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE WEEKEND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471312
150 miles · Apr 13, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WOULD IMMEDIATELY REOPEN AFTER BEING CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR CHAIN AND AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WOULD IMMEDIATELY REOPEN AFTER BEING CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR CHAIN AND AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10455108
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 ↗