NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
22 reportsClear category filter23,456 miles · Dec 3, 2013
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
BOUGHT THE VAN IN FEBRUARY 2012 SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 11 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION,ROTORS,AND MY PASSENGER SLIDING DOORS THEY OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. NOW ITS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND WE BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THIS PART THE PLASTIC Y PART THAT CONTEXTS TWO HOSES THEY SAY ISN'T COVERED AND WANTS US TO PAY 450$ TO DO IT..…
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BOUGHT THE VAN IN FEBRUARY 2012 SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 11 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION,ROTORS,AND MY PASSENGER SLIDING DOORS THEY OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. NOW ITS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND WE BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THIS PART THE PLASTIC Y PART THAT CONTEXTS TWO HOSES THEY SAY ISN'T COVERED AND WANTS US TO PAY 450$ TO DO IT..THE VAN HAS 38,035 MILES WE BOUGHT IT WITH 18,563 MILES HOW CAN THIS VEHICLE HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS? MY POWER DOORS I BELIEVE IF THEY OPEN WHEN YOUR PUMPING GAS ISN'T RIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554579
11,418 miles · Nov 5, 2012
Exterior LightingPower TrainService BrakesFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE REAR ROTORS BECAME WARPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS FOUR TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE ABRUPTLY WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. ADDITIONALLY, TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE REAR ROTORS BECAME WARPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS FOUR TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE ABRUPTLY WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOG LIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAME OVERHEATED AND BURNED SEVERAL TIMES. THE PLASTIC ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN LACERATIONS TO THE RIGHT HAND AND FINGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER WHERE ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURES WOULD LIKELY RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,418 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,470.
NHTSA ODI #10483410
38,000 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Power Train
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED 8/22/2012. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AND WOULD REV. HAD TO BE TOWED. BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. 9/22/12. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. WAS GOING UP HILL AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REV AND NOT CLICK INTO GEAR. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 200 MILES BACK HO…
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THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED 8/22/2012. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AND WOULD REV. HAD TO BE TOWED. BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. 9/22/12. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. WAS GOING UP HILL AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REV AND NOT CLICK INTO GEAR. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 200 MILES BACK HOME. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP. THEY REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION. GOT IT BACK. STILL WASN'T DRIVING RIGHT IT WAS VIBRATING AND MAKING A NOISE. I INSISTED IT WAS NOT CORRECT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO FIGURE OUT THAT ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS SHEARED OFF BECAUSE THEY THREADED THE ENGINE WRONG WHEN THEY PUT MY ENGINE BACK AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480626
6,000 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
AUGUST 11, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. CODES P0038 AND P0032 FOR 02 SENSOR FAULTS POPULATED. THE CODES WERE CLEARED. WE WERE WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY DAY. SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. THE GROUNDS WERE TIGHTENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. A LOANER/RENTA…
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AUGUST 11, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. CODES P0038 AND P0032 FOR 02 SENSOR FAULTS POPULATED. THE CODES WERE CLEARED. WE WERE WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY DAY. SEPTEMBER 13, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON. THE GROUNDS WERE TIGHTENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 DAYS. DECEMBER 3, 2010 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL COMING ON AND OFF. CHECK AND FOUND FAULT CODES STORED FOR REAR 02 SENSOR. THE FAULTY REAR 02 SENSOR WAS REPLACED. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS. FEBRUARY 18, 2011 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL COMING ON. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE ECM WAS RESET AND RECHECKED FOR CODES. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 DAY. MAY 13, 2011 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL COMING ON. THE ROUTAN STALLED OUT TWICE IN ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING. THE WIN MODULE WAS REPLACED AND TWO NEW KEYS WERE PROGRAMMED FOR THE VEHICLE. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS. OCTOBER 31, 2011 THE VEHICLE WAS HUMMING DURING ACCELERATION AND PULLING WITHOUT PROPERLY SWITCHING GEARS. METAL WAS FOUND IN THE PAN BELL, HOUSING AND COMPOUNDS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. A LOANER/RENTAL VEHICLE WAS ISSUED FOR APPROXIMATELY 13 DAYS. DECEMBER 7, 2011 THE ROUTAN STALLED OUT TWICE WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS ISSUED AND WE WERE WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE DAY. DECEMBER 16, 2011 THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION TWICE, ONCE WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND AGAIN WHILE PARKING AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO YOUR DEALERSHIP TO BE TESTED AND REPAIRED. WE WERE ISSUED A LOANER VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011, WE ARE STILL WITHOUT THE USE OF OUR VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440234
18,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WITH A BABY WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE RUNNING AT 60MPH. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY. THE CAR WAS ALSO BACKING UP IF WE DO NOT STEP ON THE HANDBRAKE. THE PREVIOUS DAY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF I STEP ON THE GAS AND THE …
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WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY WITH A BABY WHEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD WHILE RUNNING AT 60MPH. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY. THE CAR WAS ALSO BACKING UP IF WE DO NOT STEP ON THE HANDBRAKE. THE PREVIOUS DAY BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE EVEN IF I STEP ON THE GAS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. ALSO TOLD THEM TO CHECK THOROUGHLY BECAUSE I AM GOING ON A ROADTRIP. THEY CALLED AND SAID THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS AN ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. SERVICE CENTER SHOULD HAVE LOOK INTO THIS BEING THAT IT IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN BEFORE RELEASING THE CAR. ALSO WHEN I CALLED THEIR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY SAID THAT THE NEAREST DEALER WILL NOT TAKE OUR CAR BECAUSE WE NEED AN APPOINTMENT. ( FOR AN EMERGENCY) WHAT DO WE DO, I EVEN TOLD THEM WE HAVE A BABY WITH US AND WE ARE IN A BUSY FREEWAY. WE HAD TO CALL AGAIN AND TELL THEM THE SITUATION. THEN THE DEALER HELPED US. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 9/06 TOLD A GUY NAMED[XXX]. ABOUT THEIR WARRANTY AND SAID TALK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER, DEALERS ARE A PRIVATE OWNED COMPANY. WHO DO WE THEN BRING THE CAR FOR REPAIR FOR CARS UNDER WARRANTY? WHEN I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SEEMS LIKE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS NOT SOMETHING IMPORTANT BUT NOT FOR SOMEBODY LIKE ME WHO DRIVES WITH A BABY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
NHTSA ODI #10423967
11,500 miles · Mar 15, 2011
Power Train
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT. I'M STILL WAITING ON THE OTHER TO HEAR BACK ON. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I'M SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE IT JAMS AND MAKES A REALLY BAD NOISE LIKE IF IT IS GOING TO BREAK OFF. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH. I WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO THE D…
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THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT. I'M STILL WAITING ON THE OTHER TO HEAR BACK ON. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I'M SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE IT JAMS AND MAKES A REALLY BAD NOISE LIKE IF IT IS GOING TO BREAK OFF. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH. I WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN FIND AND ALSO HAVE THEM HOPEFULLY RESOLVE MY OTHER COMPLAINT WHICH IS STILL THE TICKING NOISE AND THE BRAKE SKIDDING STILL HAPPENS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10390237
560 miles · Mar 9, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherPower Train
I PURCHASED A 2010 VW ROUTAN IN MAY 2010. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT TIME - ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS, TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY, THE VEHICLE'S STRAINED ABILITY TO BACK UP WHEN STOPPED/PARKED ON A DECLINE. THE ONLY ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN SATISFACTORILY ADDRESSED TO DATE IS THE…
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I PURCHASED A 2010 VW ROUTAN IN MAY 2010. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THAT TIME - ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS, TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY, THE VEHICLE'S STRAINED ABILITY TO BACK UP WHEN STOPPED/PARKED ON A DECLINE. THE ONLY ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN SATISFACTORILY ADDRESSED TO DATE IS THE SLIDING DOOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE. MY MOST PRESSING CONCERN, HOWEVER, INVOLVES A STALLING ISSUE WHICH OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY PARTICULAR PATTERN. ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010, WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPX 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT TROUBLE AND WE WERE ABLE TO REACH A SAFE LOCATION TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AS THEY SAY THE "DIAGNOSTIC TESTS" SHOW NOTHING IS WRONG AND THAT IT IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER DESIGN. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN LARGE PART TO THE VW HIGH SAFETY RATING, YET, I AM NOT CONVINCED THIS VEHICLE LIVES UP TO THAT STANDARD. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A VW PASSAT PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF THE ROUTAN AND WAS VERY PLEASED. HOWEVER, I CANNOT SAY THE SAME ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE ROUTAN. A VEHICLE THAT STALLS WITHOUT EXPLANATION IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHICH I WOULD HOPE WOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389619
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2011
Power Train
OUR 2010 VW ROUTAN ROLLS BACK SEVERELY ON EVEN A SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE DEALER'S TECH AGREED IT WAS ABNORMAL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER THOUGHT SO, TOO, BUT, ACCORDING TO VW SPECS, IT IS "NORMAL." WE FEAR THAT ON AN INCLINE STOP, SUCH AS AT A STOP SIGN, IT WILL ROLL BACK AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND US OR ANY PERS…
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OUR 2010 VW ROUTAN ROLLS BACK SEVERELY ON EVEN A SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE DEALER'S TECH AGREED IT WAS ABNORMAL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER THOUGHT SO, TOO, BUT, ACCORDING TO VW SPECS, IT IS "NORMAL." WE FEAR THAT ON AN INCLINE STOP, SUCH AS AT A STOP SIGN, IT WILL ROLL BACK AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND US OR ANY PERSON/OBJECT BEHIND US. WHEN IN REVERSE ON AN INCLINE, WE FEAR HITTING SOMEONE/SOMETHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR, BECAUSE OF ITS PROPENSITY TO ROLL FORWARD. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR ONE TO GET ONE'S FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE GAS TO MAKE IT SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE. THE COMPANY HAS CONVEYED TO US THAT OUR ONLY RECOURSE IS THROUGH THE DEALER, AND WE'VE DONE THAT WITH NO SATISFACTION FOR OUR SAFETY CONCERNS. THEY SAY "THEY ALL DO THIS," AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE BELIEVE THEY ARE "ALL" UNSAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386378
7,438 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Power Train
THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. HAD TO TURN IGNITION OFF IN ORDER TO HAVE CAR SLOW DOWN AND THAN EVENTUALLY STOP. ALSO FAILED TO BACK UP WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL AT FIRST AND THAN JUMPED INTO GEAR WHEN FOOT WAS RELEASED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND IT WAS TAKEN TO BE F…
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THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. HAD TO TURN IGNITION OFF IN ORDER TO HAVE CAR SLOW DOWN AND THAN EVENTUALLY STOP. ALSO FAILED TO BACK UP WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL AT FIRST AND THAN JUMPED INTO GEAR WHEN FOOT WAS RELEASED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND IT WAS TAKEN TO BE FIXED. THE CODES THAT CAME UP WERE PO731 AND PO935. WAITING ON PARTS TO COME IN. ALSO, THE TIRE SENSOR ON THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 43 DAYS NOW. I HAVE ASKED FOR THE PARTS FROM VOLKSWAGEN NOW TO SAVE THE PARTS TWO TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369603
2,002 miles · Oct 23, 2010
Power Train
JUST OVER 2 MONTHS AFTER HAVING MY 2010 VW ROUTAN, ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS I STARTED THE CAR AND IT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. I ALSO NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE STRUGGLING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. I EVENTUALLY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. TODAY…
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JUST OVER 2 MONTHS AFTER HAVING MY 2010 VW ROUTAN, ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS I STARTED THE CAR AND IT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. I ALSO NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE STRUGGLING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. I EVENTUALLY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. TODAY, WHICH IS ABOUT 1 WEEK SINCE GETTING THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 3 KIDS IN THE BACK AND WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. IT THEN TURNED BACK ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361903
Official recalls
2Apr 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.
Mar 1, 2011
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2009 THROUGH JUNE 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT IGNITION KEY DISPLACEMENT FROM THE RUN TO ACCESSORY POSITION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN ENGINE SHUTTING OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIN MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. 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 ↗