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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

Structure complaints

18 reports
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100 miles · Apr 13, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASE OF MY 2009 VW ROUTAN I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SLIDING DOORS. AT FIRST IT WAS GETTING THEM TO OPEN AN CLOSE AN WENT TO THE POINT OF THE DOOR TRYING TO OPEN WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS LIKE I HAVE GONE THROUGH 26QRTS OF OIL IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS…

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DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASE OF MY 2009 VW ROUTAN I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SLIDING DOORS. AT FIRST IT WAS GETTING THEM TO OPEN AN CLOSE AN WENT TO THE POINT OF THE DOOR TRYING TO OPEN WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS LIKE I HAVE GONE THROUGH 26QRTS OF OIL IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS AN THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT 4 TIMES NOW . THE REAR SLIDING DOORS ARE A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE, I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR THIS ISSUE ATLEAST 12-15 TIMES AN 5-6 OF THOSE TIMES WAS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. MY MOST RECENT TIME OF HAVING IT IN THE VW SERVICE DEPT WAS ABOUT 6 WKS AGO AN NOTHING WAS RESOLVED AFTER IT BEING THERE FOR A WEEK. I DID NOT KNOW OF THE LEMON LAW OR I WOULD HAVE TALKED TO A LAWYER THEN. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE CAN DO TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CANT KEEP WORRYING ABOUT THE DOOR OPENING WHILE MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR AN I AM DRIVING THE DEALERSHIP AN VW CUSTOMER CARE HAVE BEEN MADE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUES AN HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT TELL ME TO BRING IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT WHERE NOTHING IS DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455107

11,000 miles · May 29, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

POWER SLIDING DOORS CAN TRAP CHILD OR PETS IN THEIR PATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10403693

7,400 miles · May 21, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL DEFECTS WITH THE POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE 2009 VW ROUTAN SE. THE DEFECT HAS BEEN REPAIRED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE, TWICE BEFORE THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL ON THE POWER SLIDING DOORS AND TWICE AFTER THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE UNLATCHED …

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL DEFECTS WITH THE POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE 2009 VW ROUTAN SE. THE DEFECT HAS BEEN REPAIRED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE, TWICE BEFORE THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL ON THE POWER SLIDING DOORS AND TWICE AFTER THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE UNLATCHED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE POWER LOCKS ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE SENSORS ON THE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE FAILED TO RETRACT, RESULTING IN HANDS BEING TRAPPED. LASTLY, I HAVE FOUND THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPEN UPON RETURN TO THE VEHICLE AFTER CLOSING AND LOCKING IT. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO VW'S LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE CONTACTED VW'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT AS LONG AS THIS DEFECT CAN BE REPAIRED THEY WOULD NOT ADMINISTER A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND FEEL IT POSES A RISK TO MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402253

5,000 miles · Jan 20, 2011
Power TrainSeatsService Brakes, HydraulicInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE REAR DOOR OPENED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE DOOR THEN CLOSED. SHE STATED THAT ONCE A CHILD'S HANDS GOT CAUGHT IN THE REAR DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO AUTHORIZED DE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE REAR DOOR OPENED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE DOOR THEN CLOSED. SHE STATED THAT ONCE A CHILD'S HANDS GOT CAUGHT IN THE REAR DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS SEVEN TIMES; ONCE THE DEALER VACUUMED THE CHANNELS WHERE THE PULLEYS WERE LOCATED. THE DOORS HESITATED AFTER BUT DID NOT STAY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR BRAKE ISSUES AS THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DRUMS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND THE SEAMS WERE SEPARATING ON THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WERE FIVE RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE BUT THE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10377983

4,000 miles · Nov 26, 2010
Structure

2009 VW ROUTAN, ELECTRIC DOOR FAILURE. DOORS FAIL TO STOP, THERE'S NO SENSOR, CLOSING ON YOUR HAND OR WHATEVER. ALSO RANDOMLY FAIL TO CLOSE, CLOSE HALF WAY, RE-OPEN, OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNSAFE. WE HAVE TWO SMALL DOGS, IF ONE OF THE DOGS ACCIDENTALLY STEPS THRU THE DOOR WHILE IT'S CLOSING, IT WILL CLOSE ON THE DOG. …

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2009 VW ROUTAN, ELECTRIC DOOR FAILURE. DOORS FAIL TO STOP, THERE'S NO SENSOR, CLOSING ON YOUR HAND OR WHATEVER. ALSO RANDOMLY FAIL TO CLOSE, CLOSE HALF WAY, RE-OPEN, OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNSAFE. WE HAVE TWO SMALL DOGS, IF ONE OF THE DOGS ACCIDENTALLY STEPS THRU THE DOOR WHILE IT'S CLOSING, IT WILL CLOSE ON THE DOG. I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR IF I HAD KNOWN. I'M THINKING OF HAVING THE ELECTRIC DOORS DISENGAGED. READ THAT OTHER OWNERS HAD DOOR CATCH FIRE. I WANT TO RETURN THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367859

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2010
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Electric

BESIDES THE BRAKES/ROTORS NOW GOING ON THEIR 4TH SET AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD, THE FRONT BUMPER LOOKS LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, MANY SMALL OTHER PROBLEMS, THIS MORNING MY SON HAD HIS FINGER CAUGHT IN THE SLIDING DOOR AND THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN, IT JUST KEPT TRYING TO SHUT ON HIM. THIS VAN IS HORRIBLE! THE DOOR …

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BESIDES THE BRAKES/ROTORS NOW GOING ON THEIR 4TH SET AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD, THE FRONT BUMPER LOOKS LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, MANY SMALL OTHER PROBLEMS, THIS MORNING MY SON HAD HIS FINGER CAUGHT IN THE SLIDING DOOR AND THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN, IT JUST KEPT TRYING TO SHUT ON HIM. THIS VAN IS HORRIBLE! THE DOOR HAS ACTED UP BEFORE, BUT NEVER LIKE THIS. THE DECALS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR WERE COMING OFF AT ONE POINT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TAIL LIGHT ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED. WATER IN THE FRONT LIGHT. JUST TOO MANY THINGS FOR A NEW CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342184

1,000 miles · May 21, 2010
StructureInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE SENSOR FAILED AND HER CHILDS FINGERS AND PART OF HIS BODY WERE JAMMED IN THE DOOR. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO FAILURES IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONFIRMED THER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE SENSOR FAILED AND HER CHILDS FINGERS AND PART OF HIS BODY WERE JAMMED IN THE DOOR. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO FAILURES IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #10331625

6,800 miles · Apr 15, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE REAR TAILGATE OF MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN OPENED UP AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND IN MOTION WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SHOULD NOT DO EVEN IF THE POWER TAILGATE BUTTON IS PRESSED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WHICH RESULTED IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERING UPON …

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THE REAR TAILGATE OF MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN OPENED UP AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND IN MOTION WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SHOULD NOT DO EVEN IF THE POWER TAILGATE BUTTON IS PRESSED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WHICH RESULTED IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERING UPON CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPENING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND NOTHING WAS FOUND IN THE DIAGNOSTICS THAT POINTED TO A FAILURE OF ANY SORT. THERE WERE PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR NOT REPORTED TO THE DEALER, INCLUDING WITH THE TAILGATE, THAT WERE NOT AS SERIOUS AND THAT CORRECTED THEMSELVES AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325835

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.