NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
294 reports48,000 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
130,000 miles · Jun 17, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering
AS WE ARE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY CUTS OFF AND WILL NOT LET YOU DRIVE - THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND YOUR FORCED INTO TURNING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF THEM BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IN TRAFFIC WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI #10995677
108,136 miles · Jun 15, 2017
Electrical System
THE TIPM MODULE WENT OUT, CAUSING ALL INSTRUMENTS TO GO TO ZERO, ALL INDICATORS TO LIGHT UP, THE WARNING TONE SOUNDED, THE WIPERS STARTED OF THEIR OWN ACCORD, AND OTHER CRAZINESS RELATED TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT THE TIME; PARKING, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND BACK ON, ADJUSTING SPEED -- NOTHING MADE A DIFF…
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THE TIPM MODULE WENT OUT, CAUSING ALL INSTRUMENTS TO GO TO ZERO, ALL INDICATORS TO LIGHT UP, THE WARNING TONE SOUNDED, THE WIPERS STARTED OF THEIR OWN ACCORD, AND OTHER CRAZINESS RELATED TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT THE TIME; PARKING, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND BACK ON, ADJUSTING SPEED -- NOTHING MADE A DIFFERENCE. SINCE VOLKSWAGEN ROUTANS ARE JUST REBADGED CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRIES, THE TIPM ISSUE IS JUST AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM ON ROUTANS AS IT WAS ON DODGE, CHRYSLER, AND JEEP VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10995376
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
95,500 miles · May 22, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,500. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10990908
59,000 miles · May 17, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING- BROUGHT TO MECHANIC, PAID ALMOST $1000 TO TRY TO GET FIXED, BROUGHT BACK WHEN EVERYTHING PAID FOR DIDN'T FIX & WAS TOLD TO REPORT IGNITION SWITCH RECALL TO VW TO GET FIXED. ALSO LOST POWER TO REAR DVD WITHIN DAYS AFTER PURCHASE & NEVER KNEW WHAT TO DO. BRAKE PADS ARE BAD WITHIN 3-4,000 MILES- WINDS…
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RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING- BROUGHT TO MECHANIC, PAID ALMOST $1000 TO TRY TO GET FIXED, BROUGHT BACK WHEN EVERYTHING PAID FOR DIDN'T FIX & WAS TOLD TO REPORT IGNITION SWITCH RECALL TO VW TO GET FIXED. ALSO LOST POWER TO REAR DVD WITHIN DAYS AFTER PURCHASE & NEVER KNEW WHAT TO DO. BRAKE PADS ARE BAD WITHIN 3-4,000 MILES- WINDSHIELD WASHER SQUIRTER UNREPAIRABLE. BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE IGNITION SWITCH THOUGH, IF THAT WHAT IS CAUSING VAN TO STALL - WHILE GOING STEADY SPEED, USUALLY OCCURS OVER 25 MPH FOR MORE THAN 5 MILES- VAN STARTS JERKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL & WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, OR PARKED, IDLING, STALLS & TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART - THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2009 ROUTAN IN 2014 WHEN IT HAD LESS THAN 60K MILES. I HAVE BROUGHT TO MECHANICS THAT ARE FRIENDS & TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS & SHOPS TO DIAGNOSE & FIX & PAID FOR EVERYTHING OUT OF POCKET TO GET FIXED OR REPLACED & IT HAS NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. FOR THE BRAKES, I BUY ONLY THE MID LEVEL OR HIGH LEVEL GRADE BRAKES & HAVE HAD TO SWITCH BOTH FRONT & REAR BRAKES, ROTORS & CALIPERS OUT @ LEAST 3-4 TIMES PER YEAR SINCE ABOUT 1 MONTH AFTER OWNERSHIP. EVERY TIME, 1-2 BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY BAD & GONE WHILE THE OTHERS WERE ABOUT 50-70% . ANOTHER ISSUE, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET FIXED IS THE A/C- AFTER RECHARGING, THE A/C WILL BLOW COLD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT ONLY & HOT THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE CAR. WHEN HEAT IS ON, SAME PROBLEM, ONLY BLOWS HEAT IN FRONT & COOL IN BACK. HOW DO I GET ALL RECALLS FOR MY MINIVAN REPAIRED THROUGH VOLKSWAGEN? HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK? I HAVE 5 SMALL CHILDREN & THIS IS OUR ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. WILL I BE PROVIDED WITH A LOANER THAT WILL SEAT MY ENTIRE FAMILY WHILE MY VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED? PLEASE ADVISE AS I HAVE HAD THIS MINIVAN FOR OVER 3 YEARS WITH THESE ISSUES AND SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
NHTSA ODI #10986280
65,273 miles · May 1, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NIECE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, IT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NIECE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, IT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,273.
NHTSA ODI #10981668
85,900 miles · Feb 13, 2017
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 85800 MILES AND WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75 TO 80 MILES, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND MAY CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING. IT LOSES POWER
NHTSA ODI #10954336
10 miles · Feb 8, 2017
Air BagsSteering
AUTO - P215/15R16
NHTSA ODI #10950361
124,702 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Electrical System
MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN DIES WHILE DRIVING. I'VE ON THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE WHOLE TIME. THAT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 35MPH). IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M GOING STRAIGHT AND WHEN I'M TURNING CORNERS, GOING OVER OR NO BUMPS AT ALL. WHEN MY CAR DIES I LOSE STEERING, ALL POWER/ELE…
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MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN DIES WHILE DRIVING. I'VE ON THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE WHOLE TIME. THAT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 35MPH). IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M GOING STRAIGHT AND WHEN I'M TURNING CORNERS, GOING OVER OR NO BUMPS AT ALL. WHEN MY CAR DIES I LOSE STEERING, ALL POWER/ELECTRICAL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VOLKSWAGEN THREE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL FIX. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED SO I TOOK IT BACK AND WAS INFORMED OF A SECOND RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. SO I HAD IT SERVICED FOR THE SECOND RECALL FIX. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED SO I TAKE IT BACK A THIRD TIME. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT MY CAR FOR OVER TWO WEEKS AND THEN TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #10938539
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 ↗