← New search

2009 Volkswagen Routan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Routan years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 63.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

249 reports with mileage · 45 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
60,567 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VAN COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF EVEN WHILE RUNNING. REPORTED IT TO OUR LOCAL VW DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT MIGHT BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WHICH IS PART OF A RECALL. WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE THAT PART. HAD IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON US WHILE…

Read full complaint

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VAN COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF EVEN WHILE RUNNING. REPORTED IT TO OUR LOCAL VW DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT MIGHT BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WHICH IS PART OF A RECALL. WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE THAT PART. HAD IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON US WHILE IT WAS GETTING SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR NEW BRAKES. WAS TOLD THAT ALL IT NEEDED WAS NEW BATTERY. PAID FOR IT AND GOT IT TO START ONLY TO SHUT DOWN AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT THE RECALL ITS SOMETHING ELSE THATS CAUSING FOR THE CAR TO SHUT OFF. NOW THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR THE PART BUT WE PAY FOR LABOR AND WE HAVE 7 DAYS TO AGREE. THEY NEED TO FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. WE ARE NOW CARRYING AROUND $175 JUMPER TO START IT WHEN IT SHUTS OFF. HAVE HAD TO SIGN UP FOR TOW ASSISTANCE PROGRAM JUST IN CASE MY FAMILY IS STRANDED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669104

54,694 miles · Sep 27, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA ON HIGHWAY, WIPERS SUDDENLY CAME ON, ALL IDIOT LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK, HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING OFF AND ON, BEEPING SOUND LIKE WHEN DOOR IS OPEN, THE VAN SUDDENLY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE, STEER OR CONTROL VEHICLE. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE SL…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA ON HIGHWAY, WIPERS SUDDENLY CAME ON, ALL IDIOT LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK, HEADLIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING OFF AND ON, BEEPING SOUND LIKE WHEN DOOR IS OPEN, THE VAN SUDDENLY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE, STEER OR CONTROL VEHICLE. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE SLIDING DOOR HARNESS WHICH WAS INTERFERING WITH NORMAL OPERATION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. REPLACED SLIDING DOOR HARNESS AND FAILED BATTERY. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE FAULTY PART POSSIBLY BEING A RECALL ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. COST=$624.48 + RENTAL CAR. *IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE THAT I HAD JUST CROSSED OVER A VERY LONG LARGE BRIDGE. IF I HAD BEEN GOING UPHILL WHEN THE VAN SUDDENLY DIED I AM CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT INFLICTING INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH TO EITHER MYSELF OR ANOTHER MOTORIST, AS THERE IS NO SHOULDER ON THE BRIDGE AND I WAS TRAVELING AT 55-60MPH. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THESE MINI VANS. THANK GOD I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK AND DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE VAN AS I WAITED 2&1/2 HOURS FOR A TOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639576

Official recalls

6

16V083000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Feb 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.

15V194000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

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.

14V396000 · Electrical System:ignition

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.

14V055000 · SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED Axle Assembly

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.

10V252000 · Electrical System:wiring

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.

09V244000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.