NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
78 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Feb 5, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering
WHILE TAKING MY GRANDSON TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING ON A VERY CURVY COUNTRY ROAD THE ENGINE DIED ON MY 2009 VOLKSWAGON ROUTAIN. HAVING NO BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. I TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS WHEN CAR FINALLY STOPED TURNED TO OFF POSITION THEN RESTARTED ENGINE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST T…
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WHILE TAKING MY GRANDSON TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING ON A VERY CURVY COUNTRY ROAD THE ENGINE DIED ON MY 2009 VOLKSWAGON ROUTAIN. HAVING NO BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. I TURNED ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS WHEN CAR FINALLY STOPED TURNED TO OFF POSITION THEN RESTARTED ENGINE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND MY WIFE. PROBLEM CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED BY DEALER WHY CAN'T CHRYSLER FIX THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. I KNOW AS WELL AS NHTSA THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE. PREVIOUS RECALL FIX FOR IGNITION SWITCH AT WV DEALER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM DID NOT WORK . ITS A SHAME THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO INJURED OR KILLED BY A SERIOUS KNOWN PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE COMPANIES ARE FORCED TO FIX THEM.
NHTSA ODI #11066950
75,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE MUST EITHER BE STOPPED AND RESTARTED OR PLACED IN NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING TO RESTART.
NHTSA ODI #11058416
119,000 miles · Dec 14, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
SINCE BUYING OUR 2009 ROUTAN IN THE FALL OF 2016 WE HAVE SUNK THOUSANDS INTO IT TRYING TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT (OURS DID NOT COME WITH A WARRANTY FROM THE VW DEALER). AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK, AND SOMETIMES MORE, IT STALLS WHILE WE ARE DRIVING...USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS LIKE WHEN WE A…
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SINCE BUYING OUR 2009 ROUTAN IN THE FALL OF 2016 WE HAVE SUNK THOUSANDS INTO IT TRYING TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD SHORTLY AFTER BUYING IT (OURS DID NOT COME WITH A WARRANTY FROM THE VW DEALER). AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK, AND SOMETIMES MORE, IT STALLS WHILE WE ARE DRIVING...USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS LIKE WHEN WE ARE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN OR SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOPLIGHT. USUALLY, ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND CONTROLS WILL BLINK AND DING REPEATEDLY BEFORE STALLING. IT ALSO STALLS WHEN SITTING STILL. IT WILL BLINK ALL OF THE LIGHTS, THE CONTROLS WILL GO CRAZY AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL GO BACK AND FORTH ONE TIME AS IT STALLS. ON DEC 11 IT STALLED ON A MAJOR ROAD IN CHARLOTTE, NC AND I LOST ALL POWER SO I COULD NOT EVEN PUT ON MY FLASHERS. I HAVE AN AUTISTIC CHILD WHO WAS FREAKING OUT BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO GET ALL OF THE KIDS TO BE QUIET SO I COULD CALL MY HUSBAND AS WE WERE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. WE WERE IN A MIDDLE LANE AND THE WINDOWS WERE UP SO I HAD TO OPEN MY DOOR QUICKLY AND WAVE FOR PEOPLE TO GO AROUND US. I KEPT WATCHING MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND PRAYING WE WOULDN'T GET HIT AS CARS ZIPPED AROUND US HONKING. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SINCE THERE WAS NO POWER. MY HUSBAND WAS HEADED TOWARDS US AND I WAVED PEOPLE AROUND US FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHILE JINGLING THE KEY AND TRYING EVERYTHING TO GET SOMETHING TO WORK. THE POWER FINALLY CAME BACK AND THE KEY CAME OUT AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GET HOME BUT MY KIDS ARE AFRAID TO GO ANYWHERE IN THAT VAN AGAIN. WE HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE CONTROL MODULE (ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS WE TRIED), THE ERG VALVE, THE ALTERNATOR, AND SOME OTHER PARTS OUR MECHANIC WANTED TO TRY. SUPER EAGLE AUTO CARE HAS BEEN SUPER HELPFUL IN TRYING TO FIX IT BUT TO NO AVAIL. WE HAVE LEARNED SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR VW ROUTAN.
NHTSA ODI #11054850
70,000 miles · Dec 3, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ON STREET OR HIGHWAY OR STOPPED. USUALLY AROUND 20-40MPH CAR STALLS. BRAKES LOCK UP/STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP/NO CONTROL OF CAR AT ALL. ALL LIGHTS INDICATE CAR IS ON, ONE BELL GOES OFF PRIOR AND ANTI-SKID LIGHT COMES ON. BY THEN PANIC CANNOT CONTROL CAR! PUT CAR IN PARK AFTER STOPPED AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP.
NHTSA ODI #11052059
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2017
Engine
VEHICLE WON'T START. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME AND I HAVE FILLED PREVIOUS INCIDENT REPORTS. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN TODAY AFTER I PICKED UP MEDICINE FOR A CHILD AT HOME RECOVERING FROM SURGERY. THIS VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE AND THEREFORE THE SITUATION IS UNACCEPTABLE. OUR MECHANIC HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. …
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VEHICLE WON'T START. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME AND I HAVE FILLED PREVIOUS INCIDENT REPORTS. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AGAIN TODAY AFTER I PICKED UP MEDICINE FOR A CHILD AT HOME RECOVERING FROM SURGERY. THIS VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE AND THEREFORE THE SITUATION IS UNACCEPTABLE. OUR MECHANIC HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. WE TOOK A LEAP OF FAITH AND HAD A NEW STARTER INSTALLED, THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I WOULD BUY ANOTHER CAR, BUT RIGHT NOW THIS IS NOT AN OPTION FOR US. WE NEED HELP!
NHTSA ODI #11021076
158,687 miles · Jul 12, 2017
Engine
OUR ROUTAN HAS, YET AGAIN, LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS WITH TWO OF MY CHILDREN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT FOR ME OR, IT WOULD APPEAR FROM RESEARCH I'VE DONE, FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. OUR MECHANIC HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE…
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OUR ROUTAN HAS, YET AGAIN, LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS WITH TWO OF MY CHILDREN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT FOR ME OR, IT WOULD APPEAR FROM RESEARCH I'VE DONE, FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. OUR MECHANIC HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS UNRELIABLE AND LEAVES ME STRANDED, TWICE LATE AT NIGHT, SEVERAL TIMES, FORTUNATELY, IN FRONT OF MY OWN HOME AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #11004738
110,000 miles · Jun 23, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
ENGINE WILL NOT START. HAPPENS ON OCCASION BUT HAPPENED ENOUGH THAT I HAD TWO STARTERS INSTALLED AS WELL AS A BATTERY. WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE? CAN TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I CAN POSSIBLY SIT THERE AND TURN THE IGNITION 10+ TIMES AND STILL NOTHING. THOUGHT IT COULD BE A BAD SPOT IN THE NEW STARTER?? CLEANED BATTERY P…
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ENGINE WILL NOT START. HAPPENS ON OCCASION BUT HAPPENED ENOUGH THAT I HAD TWO STARTERS INSTALLED AS WELL AS A BATTERY. WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE? CAN TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I CAN POSSIBLY SIT THERE AND TURN THE IGNITION 10+ TIMES AND STILL NOTHING. THOUGHT IT COULD BE A BAD SPOT IN THE NEW STARTER?? CLEANED BATTERY POSTS OFTEN AND NOW HAVE TREATED THE CONNECTIONS. WOULD LIKE NOT TO RECEIVE ANOTHER CALL FROM LOVELY WIFE THAT THE VAN WOULD NOT START. HAS TO BE SOMETHING WITH A CIRCUIT STAYING OPEN OR SOMETHING. SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO NOT KNOWING IF YOUR CAR IS GOING TO START WHEN YOU ARRIVE TO A DESTINATION. ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2+ YEARS AND VAN HAS 100K MILES LAST INSTANCE OF ISSUE: 23 JUNE 2017
NHTSA ODI #11000831
130,000 miles · Jun 17, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering
AS WE ARE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY CUTS OFF AND WILL NOT LET YOU DRIVE - THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND YOUR FORCED INTO TURNING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF THEM BACK ON AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IN TRAFFIC WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI #10995677
134,692 miles · Jun 14, 2017
EngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I35, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION ACTED LIKE IT SLIPPED INTO 2ND GEAR AND THE TACK WENT TO 5000RPM. I TRIED TO JUST SLOW DOWN AND GET OFF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON WHEN I GOT TO A PARKING LOT. I THEN STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT APPEARED TO BE ALRIGHT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS IT DID IT A COUPLE T…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON I35, THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION ACTED LIKE IT SLIPPED INTO 2ND GEAR AND THE TACK WENT TO 5000RPM. I TRIED TO JUST SLOW DOWN AND GET OFF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON WHEN I GOT TO A PARKING LOT. I THEN STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT APPEARED TO BE ALRIGHT. WITHIN A FEW DAYS IT DID IT A COUPLE TIMES MORE, THIS TIME TURNING ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM IN THE WEEK THEY HAD IT. PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ABOUT 10 TO 15 MILES AWAY AND IT DID IT AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR TWO WEEKS. THEY TOLD ME AN ENGINEER FROM CORPORATE CAME TO CHECK IT OUT AND DURING THAT TIME THEY HAD ANOTHER CAR - SAME YEAR, SAME STYLE, EVEN SAME COLOR COME INTO THE SHOP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY VERIFIED THE PROBLEM ON BOTH OF THE CARS. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS GOING TO COST SOMEWHERE AROUND $5000.00 +/- TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND I AM HOPING THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS STORIES ON THE INTERNET WITH PEOPLE IN VOLKSWAGENS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. CANNOT SEE WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY EVEN ADMITTED THAT THEY HAD SEEN THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS POSTED ON THE INTERNET.
NHTSA ODI #10995198
95,500 miles · May 22, 2017
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,500. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10990908
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 ↗