2009 Volkswagen Routan
The Verdict
The 2009 Volkswagen Routan has 293 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (112 complaints) and engine (84 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 44/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Volkswagen Routan, consider the 2014 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2014 has 99% fewer complaints
View the 2014 Volkswagen Routan dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 5
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 cont...
Risk
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 ...
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.
Reported Nov 2, 2016
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, 200...
Risk
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, pow...
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 1-80...
Reported Jan 4, 2015
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 ...
Risk
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...
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 owne...
Reported Jan 7, 2014
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...
Risk
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 A...
Reported Oct 6, 2010
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...
Risk
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 ...
Reported Jan 7, 2009
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owned a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact suffered a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi-truck. In addition, the contact's vehicle crashed into a ditch. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The paramedics and the Police arrived on the scene. A Police report was filed, however thePolice report information was unavailable. The contact sustained eight broken ribs on the left side and two broken ribs on the right side, injury to the left eye which needed stitches, major trauma to the left lung and bruises and cuts. The contact was taken to the local hospital by ambulance. The vehicle was condemned a total loss. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Volkswagen dealership does not want to fulfill the recall.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
While driving the vehicle flashed several of the dashboard waring lights, starting dinging and then stopped, started flashing and dinging again then the vehicle completely turned off. I was able to pull over out of traffic but the vehicle would not restart. None of the interior lights would come one and the emergency lights would not come on. I could not unlock any of the doors. The battery has been replaced with in the last year and is working correctly.
the car shuts off while driving which is scary. requires restarting while in traffic. there was a recall in past and the fix clearly did not work. This incident has occurred multiple times.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect
After getting wires regrounded at the mechanic, the car continues to malfunction. The wiper blades turn on, the entire dash blinks, the seat moves back and forth, resetting repeatedly. If seat is disconnected for safety, the seatbelt does not register as secured. Eventually doors stop functioning, have completely lost lock function, tried replacing battery and sending to mechanic specialist. Still the car malfunctions at random.
My vehicle shows no pending recalls, but ignition switch still malfunctioning whenever it is bumped or a lanyard is on the key. Brakes malfunction, car seat moves, windshield wipers move, car seems to think it is resetting as original recall states is a problem.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormally high pitch noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started by the police and was restarted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
The brackets that hold the automatic door wires brake continuously. Then the wire gets pinched in the door and it causes a large amount of electrical problems. The abs, esp bad, brake, and traction control lights come on when the wire gets pinched. These doors were made very poorly and should have been looked over before this vehicle was made.
THANK GOD I WAS NOT GOING FAST. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. WAS ABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP. APPARENTLY, THE ROUTAN IS MANUFACTURED BY CRYSLER AND THIS ISSUE ALSO HAPPENS WITH THE 09 TOWN AND COUNTRIES AS WELL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ESC WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY DISPLAYED, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V083000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.*DT*JB
VAN HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. POWER STEERING IS LOST. VEHICLE WILL THEN START RIGHT BACK UP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR A MINIVAN USED TO TRANSPORT MULTIPLE CHILDREN. NO CODES OR FAULTS ARE RECORDED.
FIVE TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS THE POWER IN THE VAN BASICALLY TURNS OFF. THE STEERING BECOMES NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE AND THE BRAKES BECOME EXTREMELY TIGHT TO THE POINT YOU CAN'T EVEN USE THEM. IT IS TERRIFYING TO HAVE ZERO CONTROL OVER YOUR CAR CONSIDERING I HAVE 4 CHILDREN. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GOING ONLY 30MPH AND ALSO WHEN I WAS GOING 45 MPH. IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M GOING STRAIGHT AND HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE TURNING. SINCE THE LATEST ISSUE I REFUSE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE THAT I CAN'T TAKE BACK ROADS TO.
DASH FLASHING, HARD START AFTER PUTTING IN A NEW FUSE BOX AND AFTER FLASH FROM THE DEALER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF MACON LOCATED AT 4786 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31210, (478)781-7701, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE ANY INFORMATION FROM THE COMPUTERS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR PROVIDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER ARE INFLATED , CRACK , BUBBLE, LOOK LIKE THE AIRBAG MAY EXPLOTED.. I CALL VW AND THEY SAY IS IT NORMAL AND NOT SALE THE PART. 2009 MINI VAN. .?? I REALLY NOT THINK THEY CHANGE OR OVERHEATING.. GETTING WORDS .. AND YESTERDAY FROM NOT WEAR THE ROUTAN NOT DRIVE OVER 35 MPH WHEN MY WIFE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CHECK ENGINE CAME , 4 CODE ,P0733,P0734, P0792. AND ALMOST A TRUCK HIT MY WIFE.. I LOOK ON VW FORUMS AND IT IS COMMON PROBLEM,, WHY THIS IT NOT A RECALL WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING AND PROBLEMS.. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
MY DRIVERS SIDE BACK SEAT DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND WILL OPEN BACK UP IF IT DOES NOT LATCH CORRECTLY. THE ENGINE WIRING WILL MAKE MY CARS DASH LIGHTS ALL COME ON AND MAKE THE WIPERS GO OFF. THE DOOR ONLY DOES THIS WHILE STATIONARY HOWEVER, THE DASH LIGHTS GO OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON A REGULAR STREET GOING LESS THAN 40MPH
WHILE DRIVING CAR IT TURNS OFF. HAS TO BE RESTARTED. FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. NOTICED A PAST RECALL.*DT*JB
293 total