NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
294 reports78,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10678329
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
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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 PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10672659
53,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Engine
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. DJR
NHTSA ODI #10670645
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
OUR 2009 ROUTAN RANDOMLY LOSES POWER AND THE ENGINE ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. OUR ROUTAN IS PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, WHICH SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM, YET MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY RECALL WAS ISSUED, VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT OFFICIALLY I…
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OUR 2009 ROUTAN RANDOMLY LOSES POWER AND THE ENGINE ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. OUR ROUTAN IS PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, WHICH SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM, YET MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY RECALL WAS ISSUED, VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT OFFICIALLY ISSUED A REPAIR, SO OUR DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR. WE HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY, AND ALL WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IS "WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR MORE INFORMATION." CONSIDERING VOLKSWAGEN ISSUED THIS SAME RECALL ON THE 2010 ROUTAN MORE THAN THREE YEARS AGO AND SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE REPAIR, I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669829
60,567 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VAN COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF EVEN WHILE RUNNING. REPORTED IT TO OUR LOCAL VW DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT MIGHT BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WHICH IS PART OF A RECALL. WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE THAT PART. HAD IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON US WHILE…
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WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VAN COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF EVEN WHILE RUNNING. REPORTED IT TO OUR LOCAL VW DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT MIGHT BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WHICH IS PART OF A RECALL. WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE THAT PART. HAD IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON US WHILE IT WAS GETTING SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR NEW BRAKES. WAS TOLD THAT ALL IT NEEDED WAS NEW BATTERY. PAID FOR IT AND GOT IT TO START ONLY TO SHUT DOWN AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT THE RECALL ITS SOMETHING ELSE THATS CAUSING FOR THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. NOW THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR THE PART BUT WE PAY FOR LABOR AND WE HAVE 7 DAYS TO AGREE. THEY NEED TO FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. WE ARE NOW CARRYING AROUND $175 JUMPER TO START IT WHEN IT SHUTS OFF. HAVE HAD TO SIGN UP FOR TOW ASSISTANCE PROGRAM JUST IN CASE MY FAMILY IS STRANDED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10669104
3,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
NHTSA ODI #10667732
65,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering
WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER (STEERING, BRAKES, ETC). WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD THANKFULLY ONLY GOING 25 MPH AND NO TRAFFIC. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY AND RAN FINE AFTER THAT. RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN MAIL THE FOLLOWING WE…
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WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER (STEERING, BRAKES, ETC). WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD THANKFULLY ONLY GOING 25 MPH AND NO TRAFFIC. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY AND RAN FINE AFTER THAT. RECEIVED RECALL LETTER IN MAIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK STATING THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN TURN OFF WITHOUT NOTICE INCIDENT HAPPENED 2 ADDITIONAL TIMES, SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. SPOKE WITH DEALER AND VW CORPORATE ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. VOLKSWAGEN STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AT THIS TIME, NOR WILL THEY DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE OF THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664391
76,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Power TrainSteering
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION AT 76K. MAJOR TRANSMISSION WORK DONE APPROXIMATELY 26K. TRANSMISSION REPLACED 6 MONTHS LATER AND STILL HAS ISSUES (SLUGGISH, NON-SMOOTH SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS AT HIGHER CRUISING SPEEDS. VW ENGINEER GERARDO ZELEDON CALLS THIS THE "ROUTAN SHAKE" AND CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. APPROXIMATELY 95,000 MILE…
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CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION AT 76K. MAJOR TRANSMISSION WORK DONE APPROXIMATELY 26K. TRANSMISSION REPLACED 6 MONTHS LATER AND STILL HAS ISSUES (SLUGGISH, NON-SMOOTH SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS AT HIGHER CRUISING SPEEDS. VW ENGINEER GERARDO ZELEDON CALLS THIS THE "ROUTAN SHAKE" AND CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. APPROXIMATELY 95,000 MILES STEERING BEGAN SEIZING UP WHILE IN MOTION. THIS IS, ACCORDING TO RECALL NOTICE AND SERVICE MANAGER AT FLOW VW WINSTON SALEM NC, A BEHAVIOR RELATED TO A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH (NTSHA 14V-396). NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, VW CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ALLOW US TO USE A LOANER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664225
100,000 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL, BUT THE S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL, BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10663693
22,837 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
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 ↗