NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
294 reports56,212 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Electrical System
YOUR SITE WOULDN'T ALLOW PULL-DOWN FOR AFFECTED PARTS EARLIER, HERE IS PART OF THE E-MAIL REPORT I FIRST SENT DEALER 5/6/14: " ..SOMETHING NEW IS A PROBLEM W/MY ROUTAN BUT I WANT TO CHECK IN PRIOR TO MAKING AN APPT. SINCE WE SO RECENTLY HAD IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK UP. HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IT'S VERY SCARY: 6 TIMES NOW OV…
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YOUR SITE WOULDN'T ALLOW PULL-DOWN FOR AFFECTED PARTS EARLIER, HERE IS PART OF THE E-MAIL REPORT I FIRST SENT DEALER 5/6/14: " ..SOMETHING NEW IS A PROBLEM W/MY ROUTAN BUT I WANT TO CHECK IN PRIOR TO MAKING AN APPT. SINCE WE SO RECENTLY HAD IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK UP. HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IT'S VERY SCARY: 6 TIMES NOW OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS IT'S JUST CONKED-OUT/SHUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING, LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING, BRAKES OR ANYTHING! FORTUNATELY IT'S HAPPENED IN LOW TRAFFIC AREAS ON FAIRLY STRAIGHT ROADS SO I'VE BEEN ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE, BUT I'M GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE MY VAN. YESTERDAY- IT CONKED OUT THREE TIMES...BRINGING KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL-- AGAIN VERY SCARY, AND ONCE ON A TURN WHICH WAS DIFFICULT BUT LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME... THESE EVENTS... ALL HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED 15-30 MPH AND HAPPEN SO QUIETLY I CAN BARELY TELL IT'S HAPPENED... IT'S LIKE THE KEY/IGNITION SOMEHOW FLICKS ALL BY ITSELF INTO THE ACC POSITION. THEN I HAVE TO WAIT TIL THE VAN STOPS, TURN THE KEY AND VAN ALL THE WAY OFF AND RE-START. THEN IT SEEMS TO START UP FINE. BUT THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES JUST YESTERDAY P.M.... IT'S DANGEROUS, AND I'M GETTING MORE AND MORE SCARED TO DRIVE MY VAN, BUT I HAVE TO WITH FOUR KIDS AND ACTIVITIES." TODAY 6/30/14 (AGAIN) DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. COST TO REPLACE SWITCH $989.00. I RESEARCHED DELPHI, CHINA, AUSTIN MARTIN AND FULLY BELIEVE A COMMONALITY WITH GM RECALL EXISTS. THE ROUTAN IS A VW & CHRYSLER COMPLICATING MY RESEARCH. I'VE FOLLOWED HIERARCHY- DEALER, VW, NOW NHTSA BUT HIT A ROAD BLOCK(NO PUN). PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ASAP. UPDATE 6/30- GM RECALLED 8M MORE AS "UNINTENDED KEY IGNITION ROTATION"- EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MY ROUTAN. I TRIED SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT EARLIER- BUT YOUR WEBSITE WOULDN'T ALLOW. SO THIS IS NOT SOMEONE JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON. THIS IS REAL, PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607247
65,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUT OFF LIKE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF - LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE INCIDENT DATE. VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605947
85,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIN MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIN MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10605853
58,000 miles · Jun 7, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure
I'VE HAD THE VW ROUTAN SINCE 2010 - PURCHASED IT WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S A SEL SO IT'S AUTO-EVERYTHING. IN THE PAST 12-16 MONTHS BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT PASSENGER AUTO DOORS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A WIRING ISSUE. (2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS; $300 EACH REPAIR). TODAY, MY LEFT PASSENGER AUTO DOOR STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE …
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I'VE HAD THE VW ROUTAN SINCE 2010 - PURCHASED IT WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S A SEL SO IT'S AUTO-EVERYTHING. IN THE PAST 12-16 MONTHS BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT PASSENGER AUTO DOORS STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A WIRING ISSUE. (2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS; $300 EACH REPAIR). TODAY, MY LEFT PASSENGER AUTO DOOR STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE SEES NORMAL USAGE AND HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596874
50,000 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN UPDATED 5/12/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10596738
66,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE NOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND HOSE BUT THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE NOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE STARTER AND HOSE BUT THE FAILURE STILL RECURRED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VOLKSWAGEN SPECIALIST WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V151000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10596321
61,344 miles · May 24, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT ON MY MINIVAN AND I WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT IT HAD A RECALL ON IT. MY VAN WILL NOT START. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN THAT I HAVE TO GET AROUND TO SCHOOL AND SPORT ACTIVITIES, DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS, ECT. I HAVE SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THIS VAN SINCE I BOUGHT IT. WITH ALL THE RECALLS, COMPUTER FAILURE AND THE COOLAN…
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MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT ON MY MINIVAN AND I WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT IT HAD A RECALL ON IT. MY VAN WILL NOT START. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN THAT I HAVE TO GET AROUND TO SCHOOL AND SPORT ACTIVITIES, DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS, ECT. I HAVE SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THIS VAN SINCE I BOUGHT IT. WITH ALL THE RECALLS, COMPUTER FAILURE AND THE COOLANT LEAK INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VAN, THE INTERIOR COMING DOWN, AND NOW THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILING NOW. I HAVE NO CAR TO GET ME KIDS ANYWAY NOW. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593876
84,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Electrical System
DEALER SAYS THE WIN MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT COULD BE A BUS WIRING ISSUE. DASH WARNING LIGHTS, TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER AND AIRBAG LIGHTS CONTINUALLY TURN OFF AND ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO TURN ON AND OFF. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE HOW FAST WE ARE GOING, TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK AND I DON…
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DEALER SAYS THE WIN MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT COULD BE A BUS WIRING ISSUE. DASH WARNING LIGHTS, TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER AND AIRBAG LIGHTS CONTINUALLY TURN OFF AND ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO TURN ON AND OFF. SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE HOW FAST WE ARE GOING, TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK AND I DON'T THINK THE AIRBAGS ARE ON AT THIS TIME AS WELL. FOR A VIDEO OF THE ISSUE, PLEASE SEE THIS YOUTUBE LINK. ANOTHER ROUTAN DRIVER REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE IN THIS LINK - HTTP://YOUTU.BE/OTNTKK0KX5Y. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MFG DEFECT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED 1 YEAR AGO AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A WIRING FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10592746
83,000 miles · Apr 27, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN LOOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. IT LOOSES ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY.IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. I HAVE TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF THE CAR AND START IT ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10585132
66,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsStructureInjury
POWER SLIDING DOORS ACTUATE ON OWN, WITHOUT WARNING, BOTH OPEN AND CLOSE WITH NO REGARD TO HUMANS OR OBJECT IN THE PATH. DOOR HANDLES CHROME DELAMINATION CAUSING SEVERE CUTS. POWER THIRD ROW SEATING MOTOR/FRAME FAILURE CAUSING SEATS MOUNTING POINTS TO BE UNSECURED. DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA UNWILLING TO CORRECT SAFETY ISSUES …
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POWER SLIDING DOORS ACTUATE ON OWN, WITHOUT WARNING, BOTH OPEN AND CLOSE WITH NO REGARD TO HUMANS OR OBJECT IN THE PATH. DOOR HANDLES CHROME DELAMINATION CAUSING SEVERE CUTS. POWER THIRD ROW SEATING MOTOR/FRAME FAILURE CAUSING SEATS MOUNTING POINTS TO BE UNSECURED. DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA UNWILLING TO CORRECT SAFETY ISSUES WITHOUT LARGE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584240
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 ↗
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