NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
21 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 22, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
NHTSA Recall 14v396 is probably the best correction to this issue. My van has shut off mid-driving while my children are in the car with me. It is so dangerous in the road. I can't move the steering wheel. Mechanics can't seem to diagnose the problem because the van doesn't give any computer codes when it would shut down. There…
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NHTSA Recall 14v396 is probably the best correction to this issue. My van has shut off mid-driving while my children are in the car with me. It is so dangerous in the road. I can't move the steering wheel. Mechanics can't seem to diagnose the problem because the van doesn't give any computer codes when it would shut down. There are similar complaints and I wonder how Volkswagen knows of this issue and has failed to inform the owners of these vehicles. Chrysler had a similar issue and did a recall. I hope Volkswagen would acknowledge this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11528397
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
Car is stalling out while driving with no warning. Doesn't matter the rate of speed I'm going it just cuts out. Can't turn steering wheel. No codes pop up. No mechanics can pinpoint issue. I have seen quite a few thousand people complaining of the same issue and reported it to vw as well as nhtsa and NO ONE will do a recall. Chr…
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Car is stalling out while driving with no warning. Doesn't matter the rate of speed I'm going it just cuts out. Can't turn steering wheel. No codes pop up. No mechanics can pinpoint issue. I have seen quite a few thousand people complaining of the same issue and reported it to vw as well as nhtsa and NO ONE will do a recall. Chrysler did a recall for this same issue but NOT vw. This is a safety issue for not only the owner but other drivers on the road. If I get into an accident or cause one I WILL BE suing nhtsa as well as vw for no recall being done. I have printed out over 100 pages of complaints from others for evidence of complaints. I have already entered the class action lawsuit with others having the same issue. RECALL THE ISSUE OR FACE LAWSUITS.
NHTSA ODI #11446236
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2021
EnginePower Train
The transmission on our 2012 VW Routan has completely failed. The car will not go into gear and left my wife in a position where she was stranded in traffic. We are the original owners of this vehicle and have followed the recommended maintenance schedule. The engine in this vehicle is a Chrysler Pentastar V6. (The vehicle wa…
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The transmission on our 2012 VW Routan has completely failed. The car will not go into gear and left my wife in a position where she was stranded in traffic. We are the original owners of this vehicle and have followed the recommended maintenance schedule. The engine in this vehicle is a Chrysler Pentastar V6. (The vehicle was built as a joint venture between VW and Chrysler) According to online research Chrysler has recognized a “fatal flaw” in this engine and has extended warranty to customers in order to cover repairs beyond 100,000 miles. We only have 72,000 on our vehicle. I have spoken with VW North America, they told me to plead my case with Chrysler. I spoke with Chrysler and they told me to plead my case with VW. Neither company is willing to recognize that a total transmission failure at 72k miles is [their] responsibility. I am asking for the drivetrain warranty on our vehicle to be extended, due to the “fatal flaw” which has already been identified by Chrysler on the Pentastar V6. VW service is asking me to pay more than $6,000 to repair the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11445020
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2021
Air BagsEngineService Brakes
The ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which then depowers various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. This has happened to me several times including while driving on the interstate and in traffic. I was able t…
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The ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which then depowers various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. This has happened to me several times including while driving on the interstate and in traffic. I was able to pull over but it is very difficult when power steering and power breaking goes out. I had children in the vehicle several times when this has happened. Per Volkswagon website, I removed all keychains or anything that would cause the key fob to be weighed down. When I contacted them, they said my van is not under recall even though it is the same exact issue previous models had been recalled for. The only symptom prior was the check engine light was on.
NHTSA ODI #11439049
45,000 miles · Oct 26, 2020
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STREET VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 8707 PILGRIM DR, AMARILLO, TX 79119, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FLY-WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STREET VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 8707 PILGRIM DR, AMARILLO, TX 79119, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FLY-WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE FLY-WHEEL, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER LATER REPLACED THE ENGINE HEAD AND FLY-WHEEL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #11366410
175,000 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED STALLING, ENGINE SHUTDOWN, AND DIFFICULTY STARTING MULTIPLE TIMES. ENGINE HAS NOW STALLED MORE FREQUENTLY AT BOTH LOW SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. EACH TIME, RPM'S HAVE GONE TO ZERO AND IT'S COMPLETELY LOST POWER TO STEERING. I'VE HAD TRY AND COAST/NAVIGATE SAFELY TO SIDE OF ROAD, BERM, ETC., S…
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VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED STALLING, ENGINE SHUTDOWN, AND DIFFICULTY STARTING MULTIPLE TIMES. ENGINE HAS NOW STALLED MORE FREQUENTLY AT BOTH LOW SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. EACH TIME, RPM'S HAVE GONE TO ZERO AND IT'S COMPLETELY LOST POWER TO STEERING. I'VE HAD TRY AND COAST/NAVIGATE SAFELY TO SIDE OF ROAD, BERM, ETC., STOP, AND RESTART THE VAN. AT TIMES THE DASH LIGHTS WILL FLASH, OTHER TIMES THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT A FAILURE HAD OCCURRED, JUST NO POWER/RPMS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS, NO CODES DISPLAYED, NOTHING. THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WILL NOT EVEN ADDRESS THE ISSUE AS THEY DEEM IT A "CHRYSLER PROBLEM". WE NOW TAKE IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT & CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS, KEY FOBS, BATTERY, AND HAVE DONE ALL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS (VW, CHRYSLER, & DODGE) FOR THIS EXACT ENGINE & SYMPTOMS THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE TIPM, THE MAIN CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT RANDOM AND CAUSES A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OF VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION AND LOSS OF OPERATOR CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #11360225
91,000 miles · Sep 13, 2020
Engine
WHEN GETTING OFF HIGHWAY WHILE AT LIGHT MY CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND I HAD TO HAVE TOWED. THE RIGHT SIDE CYLINDER HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $4000. VW IS REPLACING THE LEFT SIDE UNDER WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS BUT NOT THE RIGHT SIDE FOR SOME REASON SO I HAVE TO PAY. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY …
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WHEN GETTING OFF HIGHWAY WHILE AT LIGHT MY CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND I HAD TO HAVE TOWED. THE RIGHT SIDE CYLINDER HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $4000. VW IS REPLACING THE LEFT SIDE UNDER WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS BUT NOT THE RIGHT SIDE FOR SOME REASON SO I HAVE TO PAY. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE AND I HAVE ONLY 89000 MILES. THE ENGINE IN THE VW IS A CHRYSLER 3.6 LITER PENTASTAR. WHILE FIXING THAT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #11354796
129,000 miles · Aug 20, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineStructure
VAN RANDOMLY GOES TO 3RD ON THE HIGHWAY. GOING TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE CORRECTS THE ISSUE. VAN WILL NOT START/CRANK RANDOMLY. VAN TURNS OFF ON THE HIGHWAY RANDOMLY. RANDOM "ENTER SECURITY CODE" ON THE NAV SYSTEM. 129K MILES ON IT. CHRYSLER RECALLED CARAVAN'S AND THE TOWN AND COUNTRY FOR THESE SAME ISSUES. THE TIPM NEEDS TO …
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VAN RANDOMLY GOES TO 3RD ON THE HIGHWAY. GOING TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE CORRECTS THE ISSUE. VAN WILL NOT START/CRANK RANDOMLY. VAN TURNS OFF ON THE HIGHWAY RANDOMLY. RANDOM "ENTER SECURITY CODE" ON THE NAV SYSTEM. 129K MILES ON IT. CHRYSLER RECALLED CARAVAN'S AND THE TOWN AND COUNTRY FOR THESE SAME ISSUES. THE TIPM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FILING A COMPLAINT WITH CORPORATE VW TO HAVE THEM CORRECT THIS MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUE AS CHRYSLER HAS DONE. HTTP://WWW.CHRYSLERPROBLEMS.COM/TIPM/
NHTSA ODI #11245265
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2019
Engine
THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, NO CHECK ENGINE, NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BREAKS (I HAVE TO PUT ALL I GOT INTO TRYING TO STEER THE CAR TO JUST PULL OVER!). I HAVE TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP AND RESTART IT. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES. TOOK IT TO 3 GARAGES AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE O…
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THE CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, NO CHECK ENGINE, NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BREAKS (I HAVE TO PUT ALL I GOT INTO TRYING TO STEER THE CAR TO JUST PULL OVER!). I HAVE TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP AND RESTART IT. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES. TOOK IT TO 3 GARAGES AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR NEVER GAVE ANY COMPUTER CODES WHEN IT WOULD SHUT DOWN. THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I'M WONDER HOW VW KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS FAILED TO INFORM THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. IF MY VAN SHUTS OFF ON THE FREEWAY, THIS COULD BE VERY SERIOUS!
NHTSA ODI #11217412
93,500 miles · Apr 29, 2019
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING AT LOW SPEED VAN RACED FORWARD THEN STOPPED ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NOW WON'T RUN AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT OF A TARGET WHEN HAPPENED
NHTSA ODI #11204319