I've only driven Volkswagens my entire life and I have never had so many expensive issues with a car. Volkswagen is a great brand and you pay more money for the quality and dependability but with the Routan it has been a mess from the beginning. We owned our Routan less than a year when the transmission went out. The check engine light will not go off and since it wont go off my remote start wont work. The engine thermostat is bad , the CO2 sensors are all showing they are bad, something kept draining our battery and it took us $200 to find wires that were crossed, the starter started hard starting so we replaced the fuel injector for a whopping $600 and that still didn't fix the problem so our mechanic looked up what might fix it and has found that Routans computers falsely relay to the starter that there is an issue. So now we are waiting for a part that bypasses the computer to let the car start normally.
The other day when I was driving it just shut off and I had to drift out of an intersection to the side of the road and restart it. I feel like I am holding my breath wondering what will happen next. I have loved Volkswagens but this has me seriously considering whether I will ever buy one again. I'm deeply disappointed that they came out with such a crappy car.
2011 VW Routan is very difficult to start, and has shut off by itself while driving. As many know, the 2011 Routan is a Chrysler product. Chrysler has recalled the town and county and the dodge caravan for the same model year, but VW hasn't addressed this issue of a faulty TIPM. Will these jitballs ever own up to a potentially deadly defect?
The issue began within a week of purchasing the used Routan. It is annoying and after reading all the online posts it is a common problem that, like the Chrysler and Dodge, should have been recalled.
Vehicle is starting hard, called the garage because had similar problem in past. It was the TIPM and I am afraid it is that again. I don't have extended warranty and the part was already replaced between 52,000 a 54,000 miles. I can't believe this is happening again and of course VW garage wants $120 to diagnose. Time to get rid of vehicles?
My 2011 VW 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 - almost $900. The van started when I picked it up the first time, but then continued with the same problem. I'm pretty sure it the Fuel pump relay in the TIPM and we are getting that fixed now. This issue 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.
Began with issue starting. it was a bit intermittent at first would crank but not fire, as if it wasn't getting any gas, took it to dealership on 9/2 was told fuel pump was falling apart. replaced it said it was under warranty only cost deductible, $100 also given a loaner car while being repaired. Picked it up on 9/8 a week later around 2-3 pm. Went out on 9/9 at 5:30 am would not start, took a bit to get it to fire about three cranks. Called dealership to take back in, when trying to get it going to get it there progressively worse took six cranks to fire, not picked up until 9/16 this time, was given another loaner, waived deductible replaced a control module code listed on invoice PO627. Drove it fine for a couple of days but by 9/18 11AM after getting off work went out would not start at all!!! Missed work called dealership went in 9/19 third time this month, they said sounded like battery this time but they had to tow it gave me another loaner has gotten ridiculous!! Since my husband was laid off over the summer this is our only vehicle, with less than 50000 on it we should not spend the last 3 weeks me in the dealership on my only day off or missing work due to vehicle issues, we have a busy daughter in high school and the inconveniences and headaches are too much!!! This will be my last VW!!! We had issues with our 2001 Jetta both with the vehicle and our local dealership service department I'm done!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I've only driven Volkswagens my entire life and I have never had so many expensive issues with a car. Volkswagen is a great brand and you pay more money for the quality and dependability but with the Routan it has been a mess from the beginning. We owned our Routan less than a year when the transmission went out. The check engine light will not go off and since it wont go off my remote start wont work. The engine thermostat is bad , the CO2 sensors are all showing they are bad, something kept draining our battery and it took us $200 to find wires that were crossed, the starter started hard starting so we replaced the fuel injector for a whopping $600 and that still didn't fix the problem so our mechanic looked up what might fix it and has found that Routans computers falsely relay to the starter that there is an issue. So now we are waiting for a part that bypasses the computer to let the car start normally.
The other day when I was driving it just shut off and I had to drift out of an intersection to the side of the road and restart it. I feel like I am holding my breath wondering what will happen next. I have loved Volkswagens but this has me seriously considering whether I will ever buy one again. I'm deeply disappointed that they came out with such a crappy car.
- Kelli S., Spokane, WA, US