Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | −96% | — | Engine | Good |
| 2012 | 63 | −70% | 1 | Electrical | Good |
| 2011 | 175 | 1.3× | — | Electrical | Average |
| 2010 | 240 | 1.9× | 2 | Electrical | Caution |
| 2009 | 294 | 2.5× | 6 | Electrical | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Routan year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Volkswagen Routan problems
Latest Volkswagen Routan recalls
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.
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.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
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.
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
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…
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.
Suspension › Rear
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012 routan vehicles, manufactured from November 15, 2011, through November 21, 2011. Some vehicles May be equipped with right rear hub and bearing assemblies that were not fully machined.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right rear hub and bearing assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 20, 2012. Owners May contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Volkswagen Routan should you avoid?
2009 and 2010 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Routan years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2009.
What is the best year for the Volkswagen Routan?
2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other Routan years at the same age, followed by 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Volkswagen Routan problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (453), engine & cooling (207) and brakes (105). Electrical complaints peak in the 2009 model year.
How many recalls has the Volkswagen Routan had?
8 recalls across 2009–2013. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Volkswagen Routan recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.