Volkswagen Routan Complaints
784 consumer complaints on file.
- #11445020December 26, 2021POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442717December 5, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is 2011 VW ROUTAN. When the mileage reached exactly 100k both sliding doors shuts. When I put it on manual control button overhead it’s not working in both doors. It’s parked when this happens.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442749December 5, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle shows no pending recalls, but ignition switch still malfunctioning whenever it is bumped or a lanyard is on the key. Brakes malfunction, car seat moves, windshield wipers move, car seems to think it is resetting as original recall states is a problem.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442427December 2, 2021AIR BAGS, ENGINE
Thé engine malfunction was observed and confirmed by the Mecanicien and the cause was from the manufacture. I'm willing to submit the car for any inspection. The car is still drivable, but I have to report it. I have been trying to call since longtime in vain. Thank
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442280December 1, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11440823November 17, 2021ENGINE
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormally high pitch noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started by the police and was restarted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11439049November 2, 2021AIR BAGS, ENGINE, SERVICE 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 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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11430144August 23, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING
The vehicle turned off in the drive gear. I lost steering,breaking and control of vehicle.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11427268July 31, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
referenced to recall nhsta Id no:11v-151 same issue happens on newer models, the car key ignition switch does not secure the key and that causes the car shut-down in tje middle of highway or road intermittently! ıt does not give any dashboard warning and no codes! all the lights are being gone and even ac shuts off! when ı push the key the lights come back on and the car can be turned on again. similiar problems are poster on youtube: https://youtu.be/ZESy-MnVPZs
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11426930July 29, 2021POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, he started to hear an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact stated that he replaced the intake manifold and the check engine warning light disappeared. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact also called a second local dealer Volkswagen of St. Augustine (3235 US-1, St. Augustine, FL 32086:(904) 467-8880), and made them aware of the failure. The contact stated that currently the vehicle was shifting into gear incorrectly. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11426965July 29, 2021ENGINE
The van totally looses all power while driving. It happens multiple times per week. While driving the van dies, it takes about 3-5 seconds then the power comes back, we can then drive again. When it happens, sometimes the power doesn't come back on its own, we then have to put it in neutral and restart it, then can drive as normal.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11425987July 22, 2021STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
The brackets that hold the automatic door wires brake continuously. Then the wire gets pinched in the door and it causes a large amount of electrical problems. The abs, esp bad, brake, and traction control lights come on when the wire gets pinched. These doors were made very poorly and should have been looked over before this vehicle was made.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11425756July 21, 2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Hi - I have a 2010 VW Volkswagen that has an issue with headlights intermittently working, which is very hazardous and also the windshield wipers randomly turn on and the car was intermittently starting (now won’t start at all since 7/18/2021) among other things. Car appears to not be starting due to fuel relay with TIPM. The intermittent headlights is very dangerous but corrects itself in a few days so mechanics haven’t been able to figure it out. This car is related to the several Chrysler models from 2010-2014 (it states Chrysler on various parts of my VW Routan) that had a recall for issues with the TIPM box, which appears to be the issue with my vehicle. As far as I can tell the same recall was not issued for the Routan. Why? I’ve found many similar descriptions of Routan owners that have had the same issues I have and these go back to the TIPM. Will there be a recall? There is one of many links detailing people with the same issues/concerns. https://www.change.org/p/matthias-mueller-volkswagen-of-america-volkswagen-of-america-recall-the-routan-due-to-a-major-safety-issue my Vin is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11425764July 21, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery started dying randomly several months ago. I have called multiple dealerships and had diagnostics ran twice on the car. Initially I was told there is no draw on the battery. Then it was discovered that the TIPM module needs to be replaced. I then started researching this problem with this vehicle only to find multiple forums full of people having the same exact issue or worse! As in, their car stalls on the highway randomly while driving!! Someone could die! This module fails and in my case causes the fuel pump to continue running even when the car is off which completely drains the battery overnight! Chrysler (same manufacturer of this TIPM) already lost a class action lawsuit and recalled this TIPM but the Volkswagens affected by this same issue were not included leaving those of us now experiencing the same problem in a scary position because we can’t afford to get this fixed as it is very expensive let alone get a new car! It baffles me how well known it is that this part is the same part that’s been recalled but it doesn’t apply to this vehicle. On top of that, I called 3 Chrysler dealerships to explain the problem and was told they don’t work on this vehicle! This is unacceptable! I don’t know how the NHTSA has not done something about this! It seems several class action lawsuits need to filed! Hopefully before someone loses their life!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11425843July 21, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle would shut off randomly. The contact stated traction control warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V151000 (Electrical System) however, the Vin was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 147,833.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11425845July 21, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2010 VW Routan VIN:[XXX] We purchased the vehicle used in November of 2018. From November 2018 through early 2020, I experienced the car turning off while driving it about once every 4-6 months. When researching this issue we found that extra weight from other keys or keychains could be affecting it so we separated the car key from my house keys. This showed no improvement. From early 2020 through early 2021, the issue increased in frequency. Instead of once every 4-6 months it became once a month. And, unfortunately in the past 3 months, it has started occurring several times a week (sometimes multiple times a day). This has been a safety concern for our family and we are very nervous that this could cause a serious accident. Luckily the other vehicles around us when this occurs have been alert drivers that were able to give us the extra time to restart our vehicle. We realize that this won’t always be the case and need to get it fixed. The issues we are experiencing as outlined above are in line with the issues listed in NHTSA Campaign ID: 11V151000 for other 2010 VW Routans. However, for whatever reason, our VIN number is not included in the recall. I would like to make a formal appeal with nhtsa that our vehicle be included in this recall and that it be repaired by VW as it is quite clear that what we are experiencing is from the issue in this NHTSA Recall Campaign. We are disappointed to be in a position to fight for something to get fixed that is quite clearly caused by a defaulted part, but remain hopeful that this will be resolved in a timely manner. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11423852July 7, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN
While driving along my vehicle will shut completely off. This happens especially on bumpy roads. Sometime the vehicle will shut off right after starting the engine. The only way I can duplicate the problem is to turn the key completely off and restart the vehicle. This problem is very similar to the recall with the 2010 Volkswagens.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11423178July 1, 2021UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2011 VW Routan completely lost power on the freeway while driving in heavy traffic. The steering completely locked up (not lost power steering), locked up and all components died while moving. It took two people to break the steering wheel loose so that the van could be pushed out of the road by TDOT. We had the van towed and once removed from the truck it started and ran like normal. Our 3 kids were also in the van which makes the situation extremely hazardous. Previous to this, we paid $1,500 to the VW dealer to replace the TIPM unit because the van wouldn’t start on many occasions. The dealer stated that he knew Chrysler had issued a recall on their vehicles with these same issues but VW hadn’t taken any action. Other info… no dash lights are/were on. Dealer can’t seem to reproduce the issue. TDOT Officer said he’d never seen a vehicle that locked the steering while the car was in motion. This was worse than it loosing all power.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11422327June 25, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2010 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle independently caught on fire. There was no crash nor injury due to the fire. The air bags did not deploy. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle and deemed the vehicle as a total loss. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11421918June 22, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased this vehicle in March of 2015 when my vehicle shut down and rebooted itself while driving. Since 2019-present, my vehicle shuts off while driving and will restart back up maybe 5 mins, an hour or so later. The ABS, check engine, airbag, and other lights on the dashboards come on and remain on, in which, my car begins to make a beeping sound. the headlights, wipers, and sometimes my horn goes on and off by itself. When my vehicle shuts off, so does my ability to steer the wheel, it locks up. when I turn the air on in the car, my car begins to shake as well. Also, I have replaced my car battery, alternator, and starter two times this year and my vehicle still have the same issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0