This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
Vehicle will intermittently not start even after multiple try's. vehicle shuts off during driving events city and highway. ABS lights come on and stay on. Interior lights come on automatically during driving. Have had the vehicle to a VW dealer 4 times for this issue and they cannot diagnoses, nor remedy the issue. I have spent well over $2,000 for these VW dealer visits. This vehicle was built by Chrysler for VW and Chrysler issued a recall on the tipm for the Chrysler vehicles. VW refuses to issue a recall for the tipm. This is a major safety issue that causes the vehicle to shut off during driving and all power and braking functions are lost. At this time, I have no choice but to pay an additional $1,500 to have VW replace the tipm in the hopes that it resolves this dangerous safety issue and keeps my family safe. NHTSA must investigate this issue with Chrysler and realize that it applies to VW Routan vehicles built by them as well, and force VW to recall the vehicles and fix the issue at their cost and provide full reimbursement to all Routan owners who have this same safety issue. What actions are NHTSA taking on this critical safety issue?
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V194000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over a year ago. Volkswagen lee's summit (2225 ne independence ave, lee's summit, mo 64064, (816) 282-0022) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy; however, an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted several times and was unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. While driving various speeds, the vehicle seized and all the warning indicators illuminated. After several hours, the vehicle resumed normal operation when it was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The alternator was replaced for the second time by the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 129,631. Parts distribution disconnect.
When I'm driving all the lights will turn on on the dash board then turn off and my windshield wipers will turn in the process when all the lights turn on while I'm driving the van will say I'm going 0 miles per hour
For several months in 2018 our 2009 Volkswagen Routan would not start, windows would not work correctly, etc. On November 10th, 2018, our 2009 Volkswagen Routan was stationary and would not start at all. Called a tow truck to have it taken to the nearest dealership. Tow truck driver messed with the vehicle and was able to start it and we drove it to the dealership. The dealership received our vehicle on 11/10/18. The dealership notified us that there is an open recall on the "win module" and they would contact Volkswagen for the replacement parts. The dealership did not receive the part until 11/15/18 and the part was used/programmed for a different vehicle therefore it was unable to be installed in our vehicle. The dealership then provided us with a loaner vehicle and contacted Volkswagen for yet another unused part. It is now 11/28/18 and we still do not have our vehicle. The part was received and installed however the vehicle's battery will no longer hold a charge. The dealership wants to put a new battery in the vehicle and we will have to pay $150 for the battery and installation. We never received notice of this recall. My husband lost 2 days of pay. We had to rely on 3 different people to get my husband to and from work. I am disabled and had surgery on 10/23/18 and unable to get to physical therapy let alone leave the house for a week because the dealership didn't have any available loaner vehicles until 11/15/18. This has been a danger to my family/children and a great inconvenience. Today 11/28/18 I am calling the actual Volkswagen customer service to report their negligence and the grief/expense they have caused my family. We purchased this vehicle because of Volkswagen reliability standards but we will now never purchase from their company again. As of today 11/28/18 we still do not have our vehicle returned!
- Butler, PA, USA
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I was driving my 2009 Routan this morning (8/6/18) in a round-A-bout when out of blu my steering and brakes completely locked up and my ABS light came on. I had traffic behind me. I almost went over the curb and caused an accident due to this happening. I praise god that I and everyone around was safe. My vehicle has already had the ignition ssswitch replaced twice. I had it checked for codes and nothing came up. I noticed a huge amount of complaints regarrding this. What is it going to take to get this fixed" there are lives on the line. When a vehicle shuts down on the highway that will cause a major accident. Is Volkswagen and NHTSA willing to live with that knowing that this has been a major issue with this vehicle for some time? how many injuries or deaths do you need to prove to you that this is a safety issue"
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. While driving 40 mph the contact noticed the transmission was stuck in third gear. The dealer was not notified of this failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that they were not able to assist. The VIN search reveled no recalls. The vehicle had not been diagnosed repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Driving down the road and all the lights will start blinking and vehicle will turn completely off. No brakes or power steering when this takes place.unable to drive being pregnant and having 3 young children and do not fill safe since this happened going down hill in a turn.
Vehicle continues to shut down while driving without warning. Vehicle must either be stopped and restarted or placed in neutral while coasting to restart.
Since buying our 2009 Routan in the fall of 2016 we have sunk thousands into it trying to get it fixed because of the issues we have had shortly after buying it (ours did not come with a warranty from the VW dealer). At least twice a week, and sometimes more, it stalls while we are driving...usually at low speeds like when we are slowing down to make a turn or slowing down for a stoplight. Usually, all of the dashboard lights and controls will blink and ding repeatedly before stalling. It also stalls when sitting still. It will blink all of the lights, the controls will go crazy and the windshield wipers will go back and forth one time as it stalls. On Dec 11 it stalled on a major road in charlotte, nc and I lost all power so I could not even put on my flashers. I have an autistic child who was freaking out because I was trying to get all of the kids to be quiet so I could call my husband as we were sitting in the middle of a busy road. We were in a middle lane and the windows were up so I had to open my door quickly and wave for people to go around us. I kept watching my rear view mirror and praying we wouldn't get hit as cars zipped around us honking. The key was stuck in the ignition since there was no power. My husband was headed towards us and I waved people around us for about 5 minutes while jingling the key and trying everything to get something to work. The power finally came back and the key came out and I was able to restart and get home but my kids are afraid to go anywhere in that van again. We have replaced the battery, the control module (one of the most expensive things we tried), the erg valve, the alternator, and some other parts our mechanic wanted to try. Super Eagle auto care has been super helpful in trying to fix it but to no avail. We have learned since buying this vehicle that this is a common problem for VW Routan.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. While driving between 15-25 mph, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to fox valley Volkswagen schaumburg (1000 E golf rd, schaumburg, il 60173, (847) 839-8101) where it was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V194000 (electrical system). The failure recurred at least 15 times within the past two weeks. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,900.
As of January 2017 I have had the repeated issue of the car not starting when turned on. Note the recall on the ignition was done by the VW dealer previously. The car not starting at first occurred once and awhile. Then became more consistent, I replaced the starter in March 2017 thinking that would resolve the issue. Since then the problem keeps occurring. VW dealer has no idea what the issue is and wants me to replace the starter again. I've researched this mechanical problem and found out a lot of people are having the same issue. There's a click when you attempt to start the car and this is after the battery and starter has been replaced. The longest I've waited for the car to start is about 30 minutes. I attempt to start it a few minutes are sitting in the car, sometimes it takes one try sometimes it takes 20 tries then the car will start up. I've reported this to VW care and they advised me to get the starter replaced again, spending more money. This is not a customer care issue, this is on the VW company.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. While driving 60 mph, the contact detected a burning odor without warning. In addition, the contact observed smoke outside and inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the instrument panel, headlights, and radio failed to work. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over, opened the hood, and saw no sign of a fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wire from the ignition switch to the starter had failed (burned) and needed to be replaced. Also, the power steering line failed and leaked. The independent mechanic stated that there were so many electrical failures with the vehicle and recommended her to contact NHTSA. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V194000 and 14V396000 (electrical system: Ignition switch). The failure mileage was 145,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. When the vehicle was started, all the warning indicators illuminated and the windshield wipers activated and did not stop. The dealer was contacted at 800-822-8987 and stated that an unknown recall repair was performed a couple of years ago to repair the wiring on the door. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall repair was performed in 2013. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Engine will not start. Happens on occasion but happened enough that I had two starters installed as well as a battery. What else could it be" can turn the key and nothing happens. I can possibly sit there and turn the ignition 10+ times and still nothing. Thought it could be a bad spot in the new starter?" cleaned battery posts often and now have treated the connections. Would like not to receive another call from lovely wife that the van would not start. Has to be something with a circuit staying open or something. Safety issue due to not knowing if your car is going to start when you arrive to a destination. Issue has been going on for 2+ years and van has 100K miles last instance of issue: 23 June 2017
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.
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.
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
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rockford, IL, USA