VAN WILL NOT START UNLESS WE PUT IT ON NEUTRAL. NOW WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS EVEN IF WE PUT IT ON NEUTRAL. POSSIBLE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH GONE BAD.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Routan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
294 reportsWE HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WOBBLE AND MAKE NOISE. IT STARTED WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS SEVERAL TIMES. ONCE UNDER WARRANTED AND A FEW TIMES AFTER. WE HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE HEARINGS AS WELL AS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE PROBLEM IS PRIMAR…
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WE HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WOBBLE AND MAKE NOISE. IT STARTED WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS SEVERAL TIMES. ONCE UNDER WARRANTED AND A FEW TIMES AFTER. WE HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE HEARINGS AS WELL AS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE PROBLEM IS PRIMARILY WITH THE FRONT WHEELS AND BRAKES. WE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE GROUND STRAP CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE GROUND STRAP CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT START PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WILL START FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS AND THEN NOT START SEVERAL TIMES. IF YOU WAIT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME OR PLAY WITH THE FUSE BOX, OR TRY DIFFERENT WAYS TO START THE VEHICLE IT WILL START. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND HAD ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINA…
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THE VEHICLE DOES NOT START PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WILL START FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS AND THEN NOT START SEVERAL TIMES. IF YOU WAIT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME OR PLAY WITH THE FUSE BOX, OR TRY DIFFERENT WAYS TO START THE VEHICLE IT WILL START. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND HAD ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND HAVE BEEPING NOISES FOR NO REASON. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED AND NO ERRORS ARE ON THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THE ENTIRE TIPM UNIT(FUSE BOX/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT) IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE STARTER AND FUEL PUMP RELAYS, WHICH IS WELL OVER $1000 WORTH OF WORK, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD IT COMPLETED YET. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VEHICLE TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHICH FORTUNATELY HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME YET. THE VEHICLE HAS A DVD SYSTEM THAT WORKED AND DOES NOT WORK NOW. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM A LONG TIME AGO, SINCE I UNDERSTAND VOLKSWAGEN IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE.
FOR YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES IN STARTING MY CAR, EACH TIME IF I WAIT A WHILE IT WILL START. ADDITIONALLY, BEGINNING IN FEB 2016, MY ENGINE WILL SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION (PRETTY SCARY). I HAVE DEALT WITH VW SEVERAL TIME TO NO AVAIL AND ALWAYS AT MY EXPENSE. THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT MAY CO…
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FOR YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES IN STARTING MY CAR, EACH TIME IF I WAIT A WHILE IT WILL START. ADDITIONALLY, BEGINNING IN FEB 2016, MY ENGINE WILL SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION (PRETTY SCARY). I HAVE DEALT WITH VW SEVERAL TIME TO NO AVAIL AND ALWAYS AT MY EXPENSE. THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT MAY COST ME OR SOMEONE ELSE THEIR LIFE. VW ACTS LIKE THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE AND IF THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE ISSUE THEY CAN'T ADDRESS THE ISSUE, REALLY! THIS IS CRIMINAL! I HAVE HAD A STARTER REPLACED AS WELL AS A SWITCH AND NO CHANGE. ALL I GET FROM VW IS "YOU CAN TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND GET A SECOND OPINION WE WILL COVER 1 HOUR OF THE COST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM" REALLY NO GREATER EXPERTISE NO INFORMATION SHARING, JUST ANOTHER DEALER, THE THIRD OF WHICH WILL LIKELY TELL ME, WE CAN'T CREATE THE PROBLEM!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND COUL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE STABILITY AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
ALL ICONS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT UP CAUSING WIPERS TO DEPLOY, LOSS OF RADIO/GPS, HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, FOG LIGHTS AND PREVENTING THE UNLOCKING OF REAR DOORS. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY PORT CHARLOTTE VW SPECIALIST AS TIPM FAILURE. THIS FAILURE OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON.
RE: SLIDING DOOR WIRING HARNESS. DEFECTIVE EXTRUSION COATING ON COOPER WIRES, WHICH IS A NON-MALLEABLE COATING PRONE TO CRACKING AND BREAKING. CAUSES FAILURE IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DISABLING ELECTRONICS IN THE DOOR AND POTENTIAL GROUNDING OF VOLTAGE. THE UNDESIRED RESULT IS AN IMPROPERLY LOCKED DOOR THAT CAN BE JARRED OPEN AND…
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RE: SLIDING DOOR WIRING HARNESS. DEFECTIVE EXTRUSION COATING ON COOPER WIRES, WHICH IS A NON-MALLEABLE COATING PRONE TO CRACKING AND BREAKING. CAUSES FAILURE IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DISABLING ELECTRONICS IN THE DOOR AND POTENTIAL GROUNDING OF VOLTAGE. THE UNDESIRED RESULT IS AN IMPROPERLY LOCKED DOOR THAT CAN BE JARRED OPEN AND IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED WILL RATTLE WHEN DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND SHOOK LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL WHEN BRAKING. THE THROTTLE LIGHTENING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY CAME ON. WHEN PARKED, THE ENGINE REVVED EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND I HAD TO SHUT IT OFF TO STOP IT. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE RADIATOR AND RADIA…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND SHOOK LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL WHEN BRAKING. THE THROTTLE LIGHTENING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY CAME ON. WHEN PARKED, THE ENGINE REVVED EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH AND I HAD TO SHUT IT OFF TO STOP IT. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING AND THE RADIATOR AND RADIATOR FAN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC HAS NOT FOUND ANYTHING WRONG. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT DIM BUT ARE EITHER ON OR OFF. THE SLIDING DOORS WILL STOP WORKING OR WORK PARTIALLY. THE THROTTLE BOX IS CURRENTLY BEGIN REPLACED AS A BEST GUESS SOLUTION.
Official recalls
616V083000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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