2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,707 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2012 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Volkswagen Routan Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Nov 262018

Routan

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car began to lose lights, fuel, speaker capabilities, and starting ability. Once was on the highway, and twice in my driveway. Aaa came and replaced the battery after jumping the original battery was not effective, which did nothing. It was towed to the Volkswagen dealership. They were unable to find out what was wrong for 2 days. While waiting to see what the dealership came up with, I did my own research. It turns out that Chrysler made the car, and it includes the Chrysler body and parts. Chrysler recalled a part called the total power integration module, that controls the fuel system, all electric, starting capabilities, basically any power has to be routed through this part. It can cause cars to stall in high speed operation, among other things. If undiscovered, it can kill your battery, fuel pump, etc, and mechanics will charge you and replace those without knowing what is the true issue. I knew the tpim was the problem. The dealership called me back, and gave me the news that I knew was inevitable. Volkswagen has declined to recall the part in their vehicles, knowing full well that someone could be killed. When I complained, they did not care and told me to complain here. I am now planning to sell my car, because of the irresponsible and negligent attitude of Volkswagen toward its customers. It's a shame because I really loved my car until this happened.

- Westport, CT, USA

problem #18

Nov 202018

Routan

  • 116,063 miles
I was in a parking lot van would not start. It would turn over an crank again and again when attempting to start, but the engine would not run. Tow truck driver was able to start it by removing push start and using key fob, but had trouble getting it started again unloading at VW dealership. The VW dealer fist said it was the fuel pump, then said that the fuel pump relay in the tipm was bad and was burning out the fuel pump. The fuel pump relay is integrated into the tipm and can't be replaced without replacing tipm. The tipm not covered under warranty. Currently waiting on VW dealer to find Dodge/Chrysler fuel relay bypass cable kit that fit my VIN. In the meantime, the VW dealer has installed a temporary jumper to power the fuel pump while the vehicle is turned on. I feel fortunate that relay/fuel pump failure did not occur while driving, but I feel that VW should have know about this issue and been proactive to resolve it given that Dodge has already had recalls on the tipm that is used in the Routan. I'm also concerned about the safety of the temporary fix the VW dealer has implemented to keep the vehicle drive-able while search for the right recall kit from Dodge. If that can't find the kit, then I will have to live with a potentially unsafe workaround or pay $1000+ to replace the tipm, which clearly had a manufacturing defect that could have potentially caused the vehicle to stop running while driving on the road.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #17

Aug 012018

Routan

  • 70,000 miles
Tipm - the tipm in the Routan has been noted as malfunctioning on many online forums. My tipm malfunctioned and my vehicle suddenly stop on a highway while driving. This is very dangerous.

- Stratford, NJ, USA

problem #16

Aug 012018

Routan

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving all dashboard light will come on gas needle goes down to empty, radio shuts off, windows will not roll up or down, windshield wipers will come non stop and will not shut off but the car continues to run and all of this is usually when I'm in the middle of traffic and I'm afraid that at some point the car will cut off all together and cause a collision, I've had it checked by three separate automotive shops including VW and no one can tell E whats wrong or how to fix it.

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #15

Apr 092018

Routan

  • 62,000 miles
Stalls while driving intermittently; unable to start intermittently; diagnosed by VW dealer as faulty tipm; required replacement with a new tipm part with an updated design.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #14

Aug 152018

Routan

  • 115,000 miles
On several ocassion when the car is started all the lights on the dashboard come on and windshield wipers come on and nothing inside the car works. Had thave the car towed home because it keeps doing

- Capitol Heights, MD, USA

problem #13

Jul 142018

Routan

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, the car will suddenly stall all lights will come on. Sometime it will start back up when pushing start button and other times it will take a few minutes. This usually happens when going under 10 mph. It is also sometimes difficult to start after all the lights will come on and then off. We have replaced the battery and starter and that hasn't fixed the issue.

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 062018

Routan

  • 79,000 miles
Engine shuts off when driving on a city street or when sitting still. When slowing down to turn

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #11

Feb 152018

Routan

  • 106,000 miles
Mileage 106,000 2012 Routan but issues have been present since purchase at 96000. Vehicle stalled and lost all power approaching stop light. Vehicle has starting problems as well, will not react to start command. The aforementioned occurences are random and most likely related to tipm which is well known defect at Chrysler and actually was recalled but not by VW. In addition issues with cam/crankshaft sensor and misfire fault codes. NHTSA has allowed volkswagon to sweep and hide the tipm issue under the rug, meanwhile Chrysler and Dodge addressed the defective part a part which is also in the Routan as well. Stalling and losing power randomly is a potential "death" event. Can't believe they haven't recalled this. Where is the regulation??

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #10

Dec 192017

Routan

  • 5 miles
For past 2 years I noticed my the van would not immediately start. Figured it was a fluke. In past year, my van has been towed to dealership for not starting after 10-15 tries. Of course, as soon as it arrives the get it to start. Thankful under warranty. Nov 2017 wiring harness and starter replaced. Dec 2017 failed to start again. Back to dealer and working fine for them. Thankful under warranty., but come on vm!! this is nuts. Why won't they recall and re place the tipem like chrystal did. I have been stranded too many times and had to 3 car seats each time.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #9

Dec 082017

Routan

  • 63,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on a city street roads may have had a little ice on them. Felt a sharp sensation to my outer ankle area (I believe at the time I was in the process of breaking to come to a stop. Shortly after felt the same sensation to my ankle sharp, burning, noticed the sensation felt electrical felt warm sensation near hip area... I believe the sensation was electrical currents that penetrated to my ankle. Upon this thought I immediately turned off my seat warmer, noticed the heel of my boot may have been sitting in a wet area on my floor mat from the melted snow on my boots and my boots had a metal clasp on it at the exact location the painful sharp electrical sensation felt on my ankle. Pain did not occur again once the seat warmer was turned off. Noticed dull tingling sensation in my middle finger shortly after the second episode along with what felt a little like indigestion.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #8

Sep 012017

Routan

  • miles
I file a complaint a fews months ago about have troubles starting my van or battery drainage. Took it to the dealership in shreveport, la. The had to replace the module (tipm)fuel pump.this cost my family 1700! this is a serve safty problem for many families. This should be a recall for all VW and Chrysler vehicles. The VW dealership said this wasnt the first Routan they had to fix with same isssue. This should be an issue VW should cover. Complaint #11061088

- West Monroe, LA, USA

problem #7

Sep 142017

Routan

  • 60,800 miles
Takata recall. Having problems starting van on first try. Van will stall a few times before starting. Sometimes the battery is drain. Battery has been tested=good! this has been happening for 3 months. I after reading and researching I come to a conclusion that it is the tipm fuel relay!

- West Monroe, LA, USA

problem #6

Jun 162016

Routan

  • 46,615 miles
Engine turns over but will not start while parked. Often the car will initially start but then stall as the rps decrease to idle. After that, the car will not start until after 20-30 attempts if lucky. On February 10, 2016 (milage 44,574) I took the car to my local VW dealership service dept. (roseville, ca). They replaced the transmission range sensor. Problem continued intermittently but got progressively worse. On June 16, 2016 (milage 46,615) took back to same service dept. Who now says there is a bad totally integrated power module (tipm). This seems to be a recurring problem throughout the Dodge, Chrysler, and VW family of minivans (VW Routan built by Chrysler). While Dodge and Chrysler seem to have addressed this problem, VW refuses to do so. This module can potentially kill the motor while driving making it an important safety concern.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 302015

Routan

  • 45,600 miles
My family and I were traveling on our vacation to montreal last Thursday (7/30). During our trip we stopped by lake george for a quick lunch where our car broke down. Now at first, I was hoping we could still get it fixed quickly and drive it up for our week long trip in Canada but instead we had to rent a vehicle from the local enterprise and use that vehicle for the entire trip. It turned out car wasn't getting to park properly. VW told us it's not covered under warranty. Also I was told alternator needed to be replaced. Too many issues and $1700+ later still not fixed.

- Green Brook, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jan 232012

Routan 6-cyl

  • 700 miles
We have noticed that the new car has being problem shifting gears and have been taking it to the shop several times just to be told that they do not see any problems. May 2013 we have received a recall mentioning harsh 1-3 up shifts and error in the torque management software, which will apply more pressure to the clutch. We took it in and were told they have not received the recall letter yet. At some point they agreed to update the software, however that made the problem worse. The car is not moving and when we give more gas it will accelerate like crazy now as added bonus reverse is not working properly.. manufacture does not seem to take us seriously or accepting responsibilities.

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 122014

Routan

  • 23,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 mph the entire instrument panel failed to operate. The engine was turned off and then restarted. The vehicle resumed normally. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 23,300. The VIN was unavailable.

- West Fargo, ND, USA

problem #2

Apr 122013

Routan 6-cyl

  • 10,300 miles
10,000 miles, full warranty, bought new less than a year ago. While driving approximately 55 miles per hour on the highway with my mother and two children in the vehicle, the van lost all power mid-drive. Brakes, steering, everything stopped functioning. Thankfully it was late and my husband was able to coast to a stop. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life. This had happened once before, but not at that speed, and we'd assumed it an anomaly. We were heading out of town, but concerned for safety we turned around. My husband took it to the dealer the next day, where they could not locate the problem. We brought it back a few days later so they could keep it, but after driving it 400 miles, and not able to recreate the problem, they said there was nothing try could do. We contacted VW, who got a regional claims person to go to the dealership, supposedly consulted their engineers, and decided there was nothing they could do. But not before the cs case person lied to us and told us the van had been fixed. When we arrived at the dealership and realized it hadn't been, we made it clear that they would ave to fix the van, or replace with something comparable. We also found at least 12 other complaints on line of other owners in earlier models experiencing the same thing. This is a safety hazard or my family and anyone else on the road with us, and inconsistent with the safety standards promoted that encouraged us to purchase the vehicle in the first place.

- Harrisburg, NC, USA

problem #1

Apr 072013

Routan 6-cyl

  • 10,735 miles
My husband was at a light and pressed the gas to go, when he noticed that he entire vehicle had turned off. Steering, brakes, and all electrical. It took him a while to realize what was happening, but then he tried turning the van off and back on, and it started right back up. He thought it a freak occurrence.

- Harrisburg, NC, USA

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