NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
151 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 28, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10661185
52,200 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical System
ON THE SAID DATE, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE IGNITION AREA AND THE CAR SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR RIGHT AWAY. A MONTH LATER, I HEARD THE SAME NOISE AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN, WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. IN AUGUST OF 2014, I HAD R…
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ON THE SAID DATE, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE IGNITION AREA AND THE CAR SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR RIGHT AWAY. A MONTH LATER, I HEARD THE SAME NOISE AND THE CAR STALLED AGAIN, WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. IN AUGUST OF 2014, I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL FROM VW INFORMING ME OF A RECALL ( NHTSA 14V-396), I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER WHO HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE, IN NOVEMBER, PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE PERFORMED. I SPOKE TO THE REGIONAL CASE MANAGER AT VW WHO WON'T DO ANYTHING EITHER. VW IS LETTING ME DRIVE AN UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659357
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10659008
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10658909
130,000 miles · Nov 17, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS DISENGAGED, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STAR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS DISENGAGED, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 01/28/15*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10658518
94,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V3…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND WERE UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE REMEDY PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 1/23/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR A SECOND TIME. UPDATED 02/20/15*JB
NHTSA ODI #10654692
30,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Electrical System
WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN NOT STARTING AND THE DEALER DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST FOR IGNITION PROBLEMS WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE POWER BRAKES AND AIRBAGS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CALLED TWO DEALERS AND VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND…
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WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN NOT STARTING AND THE DEALER DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST FOR IGNITION PROBLEMS WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE POWER BRAKES AND AIRBAGS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CALLED TWO DEALERS AND VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY KEEP SAYING THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS AFTER 2 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650259
12,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE 24000 MILES. VW DEALER NEVER WANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. KEEP TELL ME THIS NORMAL. NOW I HAVE TO ADD QUARTER OIL EVERY MONTH. ON MORNING CAR WASN'T STARTING AND TOOK TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AT 42000 MILES BUT NOW THE KEY GET STUCK ON IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES. I HOPE THE RECALL WILL FIX …
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OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE 24000 MILES. VW DEALER NEVER WANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. KEEP TELL ME THIS NORMAL. NOW I HAVE TO ADD QUARTER OIL EVERY MONTH. ON MORNING CAR WASN'T STARTING AND TOOK TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AT 42000 MILES BUT NOW THE KEY GET STUCK ON IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES. I HOPE THE RECALL WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AT 12000 MILES DUE THE VIBRATION WHILE BRAKES. I HAD MULTIPLES ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND SOME WAS REPAIR AFTER COUPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. WHEN WE WILL HAVE OUR MONEY BACK? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649852
55,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical System
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER IN 08/2014 FOR MY CAR 2009 VW ROUTAN. THIS IS THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR MONTHS. THE LETTER SAYS PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND J WILL BE CONTACTED WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO MONTHS SINCE THE LETTER AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT CONTACTED US FOR T…
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I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER IN 08/2014 FOR MY CAR 2009 VW ROUTAN. THIS IS THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR MONTHS. THE LETTER SAYS PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND J WILL BE CONTACTED WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO MONTHS SINCE THE LETTER AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT CONTACTED US FOR THE REPAIR. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND MY WIFE. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR WE HAVE SO WE MUST USE IT. I HAVE NOTHING ELSE IN MY KEY- NOTHING OF ANY WEIGHT. HOWEVER I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING THIS CAR AROUND AND THAT VW / CHRYSLER ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON THESE REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648985
60,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AND KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AND KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10648828
Official recalls
6Feb 11, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Air Bags:frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Apr 1, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured June 25, 2008, to July 8, 2009, and 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured October 1, 2009, to August 11, 2010. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H1. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 11V151 and 14V396. Vehicles that previously received an ignition switch trim ring as a recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign. Vehicles that have already received a new ignition switch are not covered by this campaign.
Jul 1, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will modify the ignition switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1- 800-822-8987. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 29, 2014. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28G1/U8. Note: This campaign is an expansion of NHTSA Recall No. 11V-151.
Feb 11, 2014
Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.
Jun 10, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2008 THROUGH JULY 2009. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPER ROUTED WIRE HARNESS THAT MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE LOWER SLIDING DOOR HINGE BRACKET CAN MAKE CONTACT AND WEAR THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION. CONTACT WITH A 12V POWER FEED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE HARNESS MAY CAUSE A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE LATCH MECHANISM LOCATED INSIDE OF THE SLIDING DOOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED LATCH AND A FIRE WITHIN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE SLIDING DOOR WIRE TRACK WIRE ASSEMBLY AND THE SLIDING DOOR POWER DRIVE UNIT WIRE ASSEMBLY FOR DAMAGE, REPAIR/REPLACE AS NECESSARY, TIE STRAP THE TWO HARNESSES TOGETHER AND ROUTE THE HARNESSES UNDER THE SLIDING DOOR WEATHER STRIP. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Jul 1, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 18,500 MY 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS PRINTED WITHOUT THE FMVSS NO. 208 REQUIRED INFORMATION EXPLAINING THAT NO OBJECTS SHOULD BE PLACED OVER THE OR NEAR THE AIR BAG ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ANY SUCH OBJECTS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEND AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE REQUIRED AIR BAG INFORMATION FOR OWNER INSTALLATION OR DEALERS WILL INSTALL IN THE EVENT THE OWNER PREFERS ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗