NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
151 reportsClear category filter78,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Electrical System
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VAN AND HAD A RECALL PERFORMED FOR THE IGNITION, AT THE TIME I WAS THEIR IS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE SLIDING DOORS. THEY NOTICED A WIRE BROKEN APART ON THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR. VW SERVICE WAS GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS A RECALL THEN TH…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VAN AND HAD A RECALL PERFORMED FOR THE IGNITION, AT THE TIME I WAS THEIR IS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL FOR THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE SLIDING DOORS. THEY NOTICED A WIRE BROKEN APART ON THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR. VW SERVICE WAS GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS A RECALL THEN THEY NOTICED IT HAD ALREADY BEEN CLOSED. HOWEVER THE SERVICE ADVISER TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE A MISTAKE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT TELL WHERE IT HAD BEEN DONE AND SUGGESTED I CALL THE CUSTOMER CARE NUMBER FOR VW WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS DONE HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME THE EXACT DATE OR LOCATION THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. THIS WAS A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THE WIRES WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE TWIN DAUGHTERS I AM WORRIED FOR THEIR SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEIR IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE IN THIS SITUATION AND IF I HAVE A RIGHTS SINCE VW CAN NOT PROVE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. I AM WORRIED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS AND ASK FOR A PROMPT RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10765167
110,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 17, 2015.THEN FINALLY WOULDN'T START AT ALL. EMERGENCY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CAME GOT CAR STARTED. THEN WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD STARTED BLINKING POWER WAS LOST CAR CUT OFF. HAD TO CONTACT ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN TO HAVE CART TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. COULD NOT FIND OUT PROB…
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VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY 17, 2015.THEN FINALLY WOULDN'T START AT ALL. EMERGENCY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CAME GOT CAR STARTED. THEN WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD STARTED BLINKING POWER WAS LOST CAR CUT OFF. HAD TO CONTACT ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN TO HAVE CART TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. COULD NOT FIND OUT PROBLEM SUGGESTED TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM INITIALLY THEN FOUND IT MADE REPAIRS WHICH I FOUND OUT LATER IT WAS PARTLY DUE TO THE RECALL (28H1.) THEN APPROXIMATELY THE MIDDLE OF JULY 2015 CAR BEGAN TO STALL AGAIN WHEN TRYING TO START. CONTACTED VWOA MADE ARRANGEMENT TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR DONE AGAIN. IT LASTED APPROXIMATELY 7 WEEKS LATER SEPTEMBER 2015 AND ONCE AGAIN THE CAR IS PERIODICALLY STALLING WHEN TRYING TO START. IF THIS IS ELECTRICAL AGAIN IF THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR WILL IT EVENTUALLY LOOSE POWER AND DISABLE THE CAR ALL TOGETHER AND BE IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10764970
80,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10764623
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10763251
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL 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 EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10743385
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2015
Electrical System
2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAD HIS VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS TO PERFORM THE IGNITION RECALL. HOWEVER, ON JUNE 15, 2015, THE PROBLEM RETURNED, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10735226
74,000 miles · Jul 17, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA ODI #10734696
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V194000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10731340
52,577 miles · Jun 28, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I DRIVING LAST MONTH 47 MPH AND MY DRIVING SLIDING DOOR OPEN AND MY 8 YEARS GIRLS WAS DEAR AND SHE SCARE WHEN THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I DRIVING ,, AND WHEN I STOP THE DOOR NOT WANT TO CLOSE AUTOMATIC..THAT SCARE ME AND MY WIFE... THE OTHER CONCERN IS MY TRANSMISION HARD SHIFFTING ,HARD SHIFFTING , I READY TAKE LIKE 5,6 TIME MY VAN TO…
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I DRIVING LAST MONTH 47 MPH AND MY DRIVING SLIDING DOOR OPEN AND MY 8 YEARS GIRLS WAS DEAR AND SHE SCARE WHEN THE DOOR OPEN WHEN I DRIVING ,, AND WHEN I STOP THE DOOR NOT WANT TO CLOSE AUTOMATIC..THAT SCARE ME AND MY WIFE... THE OTHER CONCERN IS MY TRANSMISION HARD SHIFFTING ,HARD SHIFFTING , I READY TAKE LIKE 5,6 TIME MY VAN TO CHECK MY TRANSMISSION AND MY SLIDING DOOR AND THE SAY IS NORMAL , AND MY SLIDING DOOR NOT FOUND ANYTIME , THEY SAY THE SLIDING DOOR RECALL WAS DONE READY,, THE OTHER BIG CONCERN IS THE GAS MILEAGE, ONLY 11 OR 12 GALLON FOR MILES THEY DID A LOT TEST AND NOT FOUND NOTHING ,,IS POSS TO 16 MPH FOR GALLON AND NEVER HAVE THAT,,.... THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #10730842
42,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherInjury
THE ELECTRONIC DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OPEN. THE DOOR WILL POWER OPEN THEN SLIDE BACK SHUT HITTING WHOEVER OR WHATEVER IS IN THE WAY. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VAN WAS CHECKED BY OUR LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE. THIS HAS LED TO MYSELF AND CHILDREN BEING HIT B…
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THE ELECTRONIC DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OPEN. THE DOOR WILL POWER OPEN THEN SLIDE BACK SHUT HITTING WHOEVER OR WHATEVER IS IN THE WAY. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VAN WAS CHECKED BY OUR LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE. THIS HAS LED TO MYSELF AND CHILDREN BEING HIT BY THE DOOR LEAVING BRUISES. IT ALMOST SMASHED MY 2 YEAR OLD DAYCARE CHILD'S LEG IN THE DOOR BUT I INTERVENED STOPPING THE DOOR PRIOR TO IT HITTING HER. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ALSO WITH NO REMEDY FROM VW.
NHTSA ODI #10724199
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 ↗