NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
15 reportsClear category filter75,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE HAS BEEN MOVING AND WILL SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ALL POWER STEERING, BRAKING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS GO OUT. I HAVE TO TRY TO MANUALLY SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RESTART. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED IN 2015 UNDER A RECALL WITH THE WIN M…
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VEHICLE HAS BEEN MOVING AND WILL SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ALL POWER STEERING, BRAKING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS GO OUT. I HAVE TO TRY TO MANUALLY SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RESTART. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED IN 2015 UNDER A RECALL WITH THE WIN MODULE AND VW INDICATES THAT SINCE IT'S BEEN FIXED THEY ONLY OFFER A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. FOR ME TO GET A NEW WIN MODULE, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE $2,000 AND A LONG ESTIMATED TIME WITHOUT THE CAR. THIS CAR IS BLUE BOOKED AS ONLY WORTH $3,500.00. THIS IS AGAIN A FAULTY PIECE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 75K MILES. THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE A CAR WITH 75K MILES AND NEED TWO WIN MODULES SO FAR. I WANT THIS TO BE IN WRITING THAT WHEN I AM DRIVING ON I-95 AND MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLS AND MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD AND 4 1/2 YEAR OLD AND MYSELF END UP IN A CASKET, IT'S BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY PRODUCT WHICH THEY WILL NOT COVER AGAIN ON THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11308290
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2019
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES CRAZY, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GOES CRAZY. RADIO TURNS OFF AND ON, THEN THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF COMPLETELY. IT TURNS ON AFTER. SOMETIMES ALL THIS HAPPENS BEFORE TURNING OFF, SOMETIMES IT TURNS OFF SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX ISSUE WITH NO LUCK. DRIVING IT MAKES ME VER…
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CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES CRAZY, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GOES CRAZY. RADIO TURNS OFF AND ON, THEN THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF COMPLETELY. IT TURNS ON AFTER. SOMETIMES ALL THIS HAPPENS BEFORE TURNING OFF, SOMETIMES IT TURNS OFF SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX ISSUE WITH NO LUCK. DRIVING IT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS BUT I CAN'T CHANGE CARS RIGHT NOW. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON SMALL STREETS AND HIGHWAY IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11290284
129,000 miles · Oct 12, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
I JUST PURCHASED THE 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. I HAVE HAD IT 3 WEEKS IT RANDOMLY DIED WHEN TEST DRIVING THE VAN AND ALL THE ALARMS AND LIGHTS CAME ON. WE JUST THOUGHT I DIDN'T HAVE THE FOB IN RIGHT. THEN IT STARTED TO RANDOMLY NOT START, EVEN THE REMOTE START WILL NOT WORK. THE LIGHTS, RADIO, ALARM, WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS WORK LIK…
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I JUST PURCHASED THE 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. I HAVE HAD IT 3 WEEKS IT RANDOMLY DIED WHEN TEST DRIVING THE VAN AND ALL THE ALARMS AND LIGHTS CAME ON. WE JUST THOUGHT I DIDN'T HAVE THE FOB IN RIGHT. THEN IT STARTED TO RANDOMLY NOT START, EVEN THE REMOTE START WILL NOT WORK. THE LIGHTS, RADIO, ALARM, WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS WORK LIKE THEY NORMALLY SHOULD. USUALLY IF I WAIT LIKE 20 MINUTES AND KEEP TRYING THE KEY (TAKING IT OUT OF THE IGNITION AND REINSERTING IT) UNTIL IT STARTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR 7 DAYS. THURSDAY 10/10/2019 NOTHING WORKED LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT AND STILL NOTHING TRIED TO JUMP IT AND IT FINALLY STARTED. TOOK TO PLACE I PURCHASED JD BYRIDER IN JANESVILLE, WI AND THEY BELIEVE IT WAS THE STARTER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TURNING AND IT WAS REPLACED ON 10/11/2019. THEN 2 HOURS LATER THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE DEALER CAME TO RESCUE ME AND WE TRIED THE ACTUAL KEY AND AT FIRST IT DIDN'T WORK, WE PUSHED THE GAS AND IT AS AS THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS BUT STARTED. THEN DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 26 FROM JOHNSON CREEK, WI TO JANESVILLE, WI, IT WAS MAKING SQUEAKING NOISES FROM THE ENGINE. WE COULD HEAR IT THROUGH THE HEATING VENTS. THEN THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT KEPT DINGING. WHEN I GOT TO JANESVILLE, I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE ON ALL THE TIRES AND IT WAS FINE. BECAUSE I LIVE IN ROCKFORD, IL, I DROVE DOWN I90 AND THE CAR AT TIMES STARTED SHAKING LIKE IT WAS GOING DIED. AGAIN, TODAY IT WON'T START NOT EVEN WITH AN ACTUAL KEY. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK IS NOT WORKING AND HAD TO HAVE A PART ORDERED. THE VEHICLE HAS 129,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11268099
86,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE VEHICLES STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, BRAKES STOP WORKING....VERY DANGEROUS - 2015 IGNITION SWITCH RECALL (WIN MODULE) DID NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER KNOWS THIS, VW KNOWS THIS - COMMON PROBLEM IS 2009-2010 MODELS - THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES - SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED SOON BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE…
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THE VEHICLES STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, BRAKES STOP WORKING....VERY DANGEROUS - 2015 IGNITION SWITCH RECALL (WIN MODULE) DID NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER KNOWS THIS, VW KNOWS THIS - COMMON PROBLEM IS 2009-2010 MODELS - THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES - SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED SOON BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE!
NHTSA ODI #11083230
70,000 miles · Dec 3, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ON STREET OR HIGHWAY OR STOPPED. USUALLY AROUND 20-40MPH CAR STALLS. BRAKES LOCK UP/STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP/NO CONTROL OF CAR AT ALL. ALL LIGHTS INDICATE CAR IS ON, ONE BELL GOES OFF PRIOR AND ANTI-SKID LIGHT COMES ON. BY THEN PANIC CANNOT CONTROL CAR! PUT CAR IN PARK AFTER STOPPED AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP.
NHTSA ODI #11052059
12 miles · Nov 16, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
THE CAR DOES NOT START AFTER A STOP. IT TAKES HOURS BEFORE IT RESTARTS. REPLACED BATTERY, STARTER STILL SAME ISSUE. MANY OTHER VW ROUTAN OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR HAS POWER BUT SOMETHING IS MESSED UP IN THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11046872
1 miles · Jul 30, 2017
Unknown Or Other
WON'T SHIFT GEARS...... NUMEROUS TIME HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER SIDE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART. SOMETIME IT WORKS SOMETIMES IT WON'T .
NHTSA ODI #11011591
158,560 miles · Jun 29, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES LEAVING US STRANDED. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. OUR MECHANIC HAS RUN MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS TO NO AVAIL, THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE IGNITION FAILURE. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL START AND NOT GO INTO GEAR. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT INTO GEAR BY TURNING IT …
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THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES LEAVING US STRANDED. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. OUR MECHANIC HAS RUN MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS TO NO AVAIL, THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE IGNITION FAILURE. AT TIMES, THE CAR WILL START AND NOT GO INTO GEAR. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT INTO GEAR BY TURNING IT OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, ASSUMING IT WILL TURN BACK ON AGAIN. THERE IS DANGER IN BEING STRANDED FAR FROM HOME WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11002102
134,692 miles · Jun 14, 2017
EngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I35, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION ACTED LIKE IT SLIPPED INTO 2ND GEAR AND THE TACK WENT TO 5000RPM. I TRIED TO JUST SLOW DOWN AND GET OFF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON WHEN I GOT TO A PARKING LOT. I THEN STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT APPEARED TO BE ALRIGHT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS IT DID IT A COUPLE T…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I35, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION ACTED LIKE IT SLIPPED INTO 2ND GEAR AND THE TACK WENT TO 5000RPM. I TRIED TO JUST SLOW DOWN AND GET OFF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON WHEN I GOT TO A PARKING LOT. I THEN STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT APPEARED TO BE ALRIGHT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS IT DID IT A COUPLE TIMES MORE, THIS TIME TURNING ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM IN THE WEEK THEY HAD IT. PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ABOUT 10 TO 15 MILES AWAY AND IT DID IT AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR TWO WEEKS. THEY TOLD ME AN ENGINEER FROM CORPORATE CAME TO CHECK IT OUT AND DURING THAT TIME THEY HAD ANOTHER CAR - SAME YEAR, SAME STYLE, EVEN SAME COLOR COME INTO THE SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY VERIFIED THE PROBLEM ON BOTH OF THE CARS. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS GOING TO COST SOMEWHERE AROUND $5000.00 +/- TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND I AM HOPING THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS STORIES ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE IN VOLKSWAGENS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. CANNOT SEE WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY EVEN ADMITTED THAT THEY HAD SEEN THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS POSTED ON THE INTERNET.
NHTSA ODI #10995198
89,000 miles · Jan 22, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2009 ROUTAN. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR, THE CAR RANDOMLY WILL NOT START, IT JUST CLICKS BUT WILL NOT START. REPLACED BATTERY. STILL - CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 YEARS. HAD STARTER & ALTERNATOR CHECKED - BOTH GOOD. HAD THE IGNITION RECALL DONE AND PROBLEM RESOLVED ITSELF FOR ABOUT 3 …
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I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2009 ROUTAN. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR, THE CAR RANDOMLY WILL NOT START, IT JUST CLICKS BUT WILL NOT START. REPLACED BATTERY. STILL - CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 YEARS. HAD STARTER & ALTERNATOR CHECKED - BOTH GOOD. HAD THE IGNITION RECALL DONE AND PROBLEM RESOLVED ITSELF FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS - NOW IT STARTED DOING THIS AGAIN - RANDOMLY WILL NOT START. HUBBY MOVED A WIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND MAGICALLY THE CAR STARTED. GOT HOME AND VAN WILL NOT START! AFTER SPENDING $5,200 ON A NEW TRANSMISSION - I HATE TO PUT ANY MORE $$ INTO THIS VAN. HAS ANYONE FOUND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM - I'VE SEEN MANY HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. TALKED TO A LADY AT VW REPAIR SHOP WHO HAS BEEN IN EXCESS OF $3,000 TRYING TO FIX THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. STILL KEEPS HAPPENING. HELP!
NHTSA ODI #10821636
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 ↗