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.
Tipm going out. Car stalls, won't start, tire pressure lights come on and off, check engine light on with nothing wrong, total system shut down coming. This is an ongoing problem that will only be fixed when I replace the tipm for $1500.
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Routan. While driving approximately 70 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the totally integrated power module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
I have been struggling with starting my Volkswagen Routan on the initial engagement of the key, the problem started within the last two months. In the same time frame, the vehicle would suddenly turn off in the middle of driving. I have seen that in 2009 and 2010 model there was a recall of the ignition switch that showed similar issues. My car does have 10000 miles, so I am trying to determine if it was an initial faulty item or a part that needs to be replaced. The dealership replaced the tipm module, but it did not correct the issues. I want to see if other 2011 models are experiencing the same issues, and whether the 2011 models should be extended to the recall for the 2009/2010 models.
Tipm issue that causes the car to stall while driving, or the car starts then dies. Chryslers vans have had this issue and have been recalled, this vehicle is built by Chrysler but since it is marketed as VW it hasn't been recalled. It will take somebody to die in a car accident caused by this issue before you guys do something about this. This is really dangerous because it could potentially cause an accident. There are many other people with the same issue that haven't taken the time to fill this report.
- Derby, KS, USA
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Car wouldn't start. Replaced battery. When I put key into ignition it started without turning key. Then went off and would not restart. Now the ignition can be moved without a key but will not start. Car was stationary this whole time.
Car wouldn't turn on when key was put in ignition. After several attempts it will start. Dealership said there was no issue but there is a known problem in 2009 and 2010 Routans. We then showed we could remove the key when the car was on, which the dealership documented. Despite our car having the same problem as other Routans, VW would not include us in the recall. They said they would wait until there is a bigger issue. This is really scary as our car is unsafe, the dealership documented it, but VW will not make any efforts to ensure my family is safe.
My car just shuts off while I'm driving or won't star at all. Then when I turn it off, something continues to run, completely draining the battery. I have to disconnect my battery everytime I park the vehicle. It's completely unsafe to drive and I've dumped over $4200 on this van and I've owned it 14 mos. Worst purchase I've ever made.
The van hesitates to start. It has turned off by itself while driving. The blinkers (right and left) sometimes work. The hazard lights sometimes work. The ac comes on and then comes off. We are the original owners and have kept up with maintenance on the van. We took the van into Volkswagen dealer service and were told that the 2011 model was plagued with electrical problems. We were told this time our tipm needs to be replaced. All of the problems we are experiencing are related to a problem Chrysler (who made the van) admitted to. Volkswagen will not replace the part. The tipm is known for not getting fuel to the engine which can stop the van. This has happened to us twice.
My complaint is a that my vehicle started out giving me problems getting started then got to the point the engine would just stop while driving and would not allow me to press the break to stop the vehicle. I found that Chrysler had recalled the tipm in their vehicles and VW Routans (made by the Chrysler group) were just no longer made and pushed under the rug...this is my primary mode of transportation and I am a single mother of five minor children...I don't have $1300 to invest in the repair and I reported the issue to VW and to no avail. I'm afraid for mine and my children's lives...the next time we may not be so lucky....I am in hopes that this reaches someone that can help. My children and I were in the vehicle and in a rural area on a straight-away when the engine shut off (without warning) and I could not engage the brakes. I was always advised that VW vehicles were the way to go because VW stood behind their brand...but I find that now that my family is in this situation they can care less. I did report the issue to them and was told they would not stand behind the vehicle.
Recently the van has given me trouble upon startup. The problem is intermittent. Sometimes, it would start fine. Other times, it would take multiple attempts to start the vehicle. Other times, the vehicle would start, then immediately turn itself off. Sometimes, it would be like there wasn't enough charge to turn the starter, and other times, when it would start then die, it felt like it was running out of gas. After much research, I discovered that the totally integrated power module is the culprit of these issues. Specifically, it is the fuel pump relay that can intermittently not turn on, or turn off randomly. It is a well-known issue with these vans and its Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler town N country cousins, upon which the VW Routan is based. Fca has stepped up to the plate, and issued a recall on many of its vehicles for faulty tipm's, but VW seems to want to forget that its customers chose their version over the others. It's a shame, because I like VW. My family drove only VW's during my youth, and that played into my decision to get the Routan. It looks like I won't be purchasing a VW product in the future. This doesn't even mention the other big issue that certain year Routans/Grand Caravan/T&C's can have, which is a complete failure of the front cylinder head. Again, in this case, Chrysler issued an extended warranty on that particular part, but VW made no effort to extend its warranty on those parts. I have called multiple VW service shops in the greater DC area, and none of them have heard of a warranty extension on the cylinder heads. If VW has issued an extension, then they haven't done a very good job of informing dealer service shops, or notifying their customers. It's a huge disappointment. Get your act together VW of America. For those with tipm issues, there is a $40 temporary workaround for sale at www.verticalvisions.com
Car wont start, only sometimes. Just turns over repeatedly, until you turn the key off. Sometimes nothing happens. Sometimes it starts normally. Once it stalled. Usually this happens on the first start, but sometimes it doesn't matter.
2011 VW routon wouldn't start, hard cranks over several days. The engine would finally start after multiple attempts, but immediately shuts off the power. Took it to VW dealer, performed a complete diagnostic test and was reported that tipm board needs to be replaced at a cost of $1300 plus. A quick google search revealed that VW tipm is a well known problem - but not addressed yet. Very disappointing.
Car wouldn't start, hard cranks over several days. The engine would finally start after multiple attempts. Over the course of 5 days it got worse and worse. Took to mechanic - code said Dodge Caravan R09. My mechanic said it is a common fuel pump relay inside the tipm, and that Chrysler has issued a recall, but VW hasn't. took it to VW dealer, performed and charged me a complete diagnostic test - to tell me the same thing. Called VW corporate - said they were aware of the issue, but it is not a Chrysler and it is a VW rebagged car, and that I am responsible for a $1300 fix. Further issues, is that the part not readily available, and my family of 5 is out of transportation for 5 days. Our 2011 VW has only 61,000 and this is not the first issue. Upon researching it on the internet, I am not the only one with this problem. It is a shame that VW, won't stand behind their product and own up to the fact they have an serious issue.
In July 2016 our 2011 Routan would not start up immediately. Would sometimes fire up in neutral and sometimes after several trys it would start up in park. After several days we took the battery in to have it checked (after replacing it and the alternator about 6 months ago). Our battery was totally dead. Bought new expensive battery which failed again after a few days. Took car to repair shop and they said no codes came up and starter, battery alternator were all fine. Decided to unhook battery when we weren't using car because something obviously is draining it. That seemed to work but last week while on the interstate the van suddenly cut off completely when slowing down for exit ramp. Managed to pull van to side and not get hit by cars behind us without power steering. Very scary. After several attempts we got it started again. However, this morning it wouldn't start at all. In reading complaints I've found that Dodge Caravan and other models have the exact same problem. The VW Routan was manufactured by Dodge and the same year of 2011 is under investigation for failed tipm boards. Van is 5 years old. Our daughter was in the back of the van when this happened. All power was lost. Has a recall been issued on this part yet? 1200 for fuel pump and then 1300 plus for the tipm board. Are you kidding me! so disappointed in VW. So many problems. Very frustrated customer!! we could have been killed! family of 4 with 1 vehicle and it's not working and only 5 years old. Currently relying on friends for transportation.
Problem started about 4 weeks ago with car not starting. Would turn over but never crank up/start. Local VW dealer said issue was fuel pump and replaced. Symptoms continued with longer than normal cranking before starting. Sometimes vehicle acts like the battery is dead and will "click" until after multiple attempts it will finally turn over and start. Certain times after having vehicle in reverse and placing into drive it just dies, have to place in park and restart. While slowing for a traffic light, vehicle has hesitated as if to die, but thankfully it has continued. While slowing for a stop, transmission miss shifted into 1st and made a loud bang. Since then at slow speeds if you lifting off the gas the transmission makes loud noises. All of these issues have happened in the last 4 weeks. It has been to the dealership 2 twice and I am awaiting contact via the dealership for a 3 visit in 4 weeks. Since original purchase, I have installed 3 batteries in this vehicle. We have lost all confidence in this vehicle, and find ourselves hoping nothing serious happens if it dies while traveling. This intermittent electrical issue while traveling at speed is a concerning safety issue.
The vehicle is a rebadged Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country. The vehicle's computer, the tipm, has defects where components become unsoldered from the board creating problems such as fuel pump running even without the ignition being on, to windows rolling down on their own, etc. Chrysler has recalled some vehicles but not this one.
Was driving car around 55 mph when the car just turned off and lost all power steering and brakes, engine just cut off without warning. I was able to pull the car over to the side of the road and restart the car. The car was taken to a service station and no codes were found to why the car just stop working.
While driving all of my gauges began to sporadically move up and down and all of the instrument warning lights came on. The engine surged several times as well. The air conditioner also began to blow hot air. Later, when restarting the vehicle it would not start the first few times attempted. The engine would not turn over or anything. All of the above events keep continually and randomly recurring.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Live Oak, TX, USA