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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.

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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

4 reports
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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

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

59,500 miles · Mar 2, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF AND LOSES POWER STEERING. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES NOW AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CAR CAN ONLY BE RESTARTED WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACED BACK IN PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501019

57,000 miles · Oct 22, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

10/7/12: ENTERING ONTO ROAD, BEGAN ACCELERATION UP TO 20/25 MPH -THEN ALL POWER, CONTROLS DEAD. LOST POWER STEERING AND COASTED INTO PARKING LOT. SHUT CAR DOWN, FLOODED/PUMPED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. DIFFICULTY STARTING BUT WORKED, DROVE LIKE NORMAL, AGAIN. 10/14/12: TURNING FROM SIDESTREET, ON TO MAIN STREET -GOING 20 MPH. LOST…

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10/7/12: ENTERING ONTO ROAD, BEGAN ACCELERATION UP TO 20/25 MPH -THEN ALL POWER, CONTROLS DEAD. LOST POWER STEERING AND COASTED INTO PARKING LOT. SHUT CAR DOWN, FLOODED/PUMPED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. DIFFICULTY STARTING BUT WORKED, DROVE LIKE NORMAL, AGAIN. 10/14/12: TURNING FROM SIDESTREET, ON TO MAIN STREET -GOING 20 MPH. LOST ALL POWER AGAIN-MANUALLY TURNED COASTED CAR INTO LEFT MIDDLE TURNING LANE. RE-STARTED, OPERATED NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481360

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.