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 have a Volkswagen Routan 2011 built by Chrysler in a Canada factory. This vehicle is shutting off when drive on the freeway. The gears and sreering locks up while driving. The vehicle also has electrical issues the lights turn on and off even when the car is off. After purchasing a new battery and alternator the car in the morning will not start. The battery is dead and drained. With nothing on it intermittently has a dead battery and shuts of after starting the car. When I call the Volkswagen dealer in stockton ca to explain the service guy hung up on my husband and I and stated it's not a recall. We explain that thousands are having the same issue and it's recorded and all over you tube. We are having the same ignition switch issues or possible tipm issues.
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.
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.
- Twentynine Palms, CA, USA
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Routan didn't start after key turned and started to turn-over. It would take several attempts for the van to start. Mechanic determined the fuel pump was dipping below thresholds, so replaced the fuel pump. The van started the next few times, but continued with the same startup problem again. Then it was determined to be the fuel pump relay in the tipm. This has been recalled by Chrysler yet VW uses the same part and hasn't had a recall yet. This is ridiculous to pay this much money for a known problem.
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 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.
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.
Volkswagen has Chrysler make these mini vans. Chrysler recalled the tipm module/relay box but Volkswagen has not. Its a faulty part that needs to be recalled. The car will some times not stat. Sometimes the fuel pump will run and drain the battery but the most dangerous of all is that it will stall going from an idle to giving it gas. Like pulling out into a busy street. And then take a minute to get it started again. Very dangerous. It seems like it might take a death to get VW to recall the part that Chrysler already did the recall on.
Our van has had on and off weird electrical things happening for a few months - wipers come on by themselves, air turns off by itself, lights, etc. Then the van started not always starting. Sometimes it would start, then shut off by itself shortly after starting. It got to the point where it was not easily starting 2-3 times a day. The weird electrical stuff would happen when stationary or in motion. The starting problem was while stationary. Sometimes it died when I put it in gear to move. Sometimes when driving, I felt like the car was giving itself more gas even though my foot had been taken off of the pedal. Took it to VW when it simply would not easily or reliably start anymore. They said the tipm module needed to be replaced. We just got it replaced. Cost us $924.77!
My 2011 Volkswagen Routan has failed to start on numerous occasions. The engine cranks with full power, but will usually not turn over. When it does turn over, it does not maintain idle and shuts off within a few seconds. Electrical testing by the mechanic identified a failure in the fuel pump relay part of the totally integrated power module (tipm), which needs to be replaced. Essentially identical parts (tipm/tipm7) have been recalled on town and country models by the manufacturer, Chrysler automotive.
On September 15th 2015, I brought my 2011 Volkswagen Routan to pioneer automotive services in oak harbor Washington because the vehicle failed to start after several instances. After many hours of trouble shooting, I received word that it was the total integrated power module (tipm). They could order one and install it, but would have to be towed to burlington Washington to the closest Volkswagen dealership to be programmed. This part will cost me $822 with additional costs for installation and programming. After much research, I found there to be recalls for this part in Chrysler vehicles ranging in my year. I own a Volkswagen, but it has a Chrysler motor in it. This indicates that my vehicle should have been recalled for this potentially life threatening defect, but because its a Volkswagen with a Chrysler motor, this was their way to avoid an even larger number of recalled vehicles. The cost is disturbing, but the thought of what fatal end to this could bring has no price. All I seek is for Chrysler to own up to the flaw and replace this defect and to expand its possible recall numbers to make sure all vehicles that they placed their product in are evaluated. A timely response is very much appreciated. Thank you.
The engine will crank but will not start on most occasions. When the engine does start it will shut off after several seconds. To get the engine to start at all the ignition has to be turn to the on position for two to three seconds and then turned to the start position. When the engine does remain on, it has shut off in traffic on two separate occasions. I know that this is a Chrysler manufactured/Volkswagen marketed vehicle. I have read that Chrysler has recalled several of its minivans due to the same problems and that the issue is with the tipm part. Does this recall extend to Volkswagen as well?
Vehicle engine would do the extended crank, and not turn over, or would turn over and die instantly, check engine light would flash 10 times. Took vehicle to the dealer to find out that the tipm module had failed, the repair was $1200, and took a week. Chrysler had built the vehicle for Volkswagen from their town and country line, however unlike Chrysler, Volkswagen doesn't honor the recall although the part is physically the same mopar part across the board. Volkswagen also stated they offer no assistance after the base warranty is gone as well. Isn't there some federal mandate that requires these devices to be warranted further than the normal 36,000 miles? I guess it will take someone getting severely injured or killed in one of these vans for Volkswagen to open there eyes...
This car was actually manufactured by Chrysler and sold by VW. The initial problem seemed to be related to a faulty fuel pump. The car would try to crank but not start. It actually stalled as well. We took it to a dealer who continued guessing at the problem and finally replaced the fuel pump. Luckily I had mechanical breakdown coverage and only had to pay $250 out of pocket. However, after the "fix" I've had the car back three times for the same problem with no solution. This week, the fuel pump started running even when the car is off. I did a search and found out about the ongoing tipm problem with Chrysler. This seems to be the same problem. I'm taking the car back to the dealer this week to see what they can do. Incredibly frustrated that Chrysler sells this crap and takes no responsibility. VW says they stopped selling these vans because of all the problems. Not my problem since they sold them to begin with. I just want someone to take responsibility.
Van would not start like normal. Sometimes it would, other times it would crank, idle, then shut off, or crank without starting and would have to manually turn the key back to the off position to stop the cranking, or crank with foot on gas pedal depressed so it would not stall so it would start. That worked for about 2 weeks. Now it only cranks without starting. Was told injectors needed cleaning. After that was told fuel pump is not working. (was not the problem, fuel pump was not getting power, this was known after installing new fuel pump and it did not work either. I had them test old pump and it does still work so now it's an electrical issue before the fuel pump. Then told ECU is bad. Computer gave no diagnostic codes, no dash warning lights. Found out the (eco)nomy feature may be the culprit but can't get info from dealer. (NHTSA reference #10052670 or tsb reference #TB-20-13-05). When I called the service department and asked them about a tsb, technical service bulletin they sounded like I was speaking a foreign language. Then they advised I speak to the shop foreman but he was not there at the time and has not been available to speak on the phone the last 2 days I called. Called VW 800# and they do not send them out but you can buy it from there website. Strange that such an issue is not covered even if warranty is over. I hope it does not take a complaint filed where they have to click the radio box yes for was there an injury or fatality? question
7/2/14 - after being idle for 1hr the car would not start. After several repeat attempts it did. It would crank as normal, no dashboard warning lights ever came on. 8/8/14 - after 3hrs of highway driving we stopped to fill up with gas. Eco fuel never used the same crank issue occurred as 7/2. 8/9/14 - after 8hrs idle time the van would not start until repeated tries. I brought to dealership, they could not get the problem to repeat and suspected the tpim module. 8/10/14 - after 8hrs idle time the van would not start. When it finally did I drove 1/4 mile from the house and the van shut down completely. Lost all power steering and normal braking almost resulting in an accident. Called dealer back up and brought back into dealership 8/12/14 with expectation to have $900 tpim module replaced. Directing the dealership to leave the car outside overnight, push it in and then hook up to computers for evaluation they were able to find low fuel pressure reading from the fuel pump up until the it finally cranked over after several tries. After the initial start the van would read normal fuel pump pressures while running, turning it off and turning it back on again. However this does not explain why it shut down while driving. The car was returned and a new fuel pump was ordered for 8/19/14 install. 8/15 - 8/18/14 - the van shut off while driving twice not to mention everytime it sat idle it would have the same start up issues. 8/19/14 when the dealership received the fuel pump it was the wrong one. But the model# and serial# were exactly the same! so as it stands they can't fix it until they identify the fuel pump.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stockton, CA, USA