Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Volkswagen Routan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle will intermittently not start even after multiple try's. Vehicle shuts off during driving events city and highway. ABS lights come on and stay on. Interior lights come on automatically during driving. Have had the vehicle to a vw dealer 4 times for this issue and they cannot diagnoses, nor remedy the issue. I have spent well over $2,000 for these vw dealer visits. This vehicle was built by Chrysler for vw and Chrysler issued a recall on the TIPM for the Chrysler vehicles. Vw refuses to issue a recall for the TIPM. This is a major safety issue that causes the vehicle to shut off during driving and all power and braking functions are lost. At this time, I have no choice but to pay an additional $1,500 to have vw replace the TIPM in the hopes that it resolves this dangerous safety issue and keeps my family safe. …
I was driving my 2009 Routan this morning (8/6/18) in a round-a-bout when out of blu my steering and brakes completely locked up and my ABS light came on. I had traffic behind me. I almost went over the curb and caused an accident due to this happening. I praise god that I and everyone around was safe. My vehicle has already had the ignition ssswitch replaced twice. I had it checked for codes and nothing came up. I noticed a huge amount of complaints regarrding this. What is it going to take to get this fixed? There are lives on the line. When a vehicle shuts down on the highway that will cause a major accident. Is Volkswagen and NHTSA willing to live with that knowing that this has been a major issue with this vehicle for some time? How many injuries or deaths do you need to prove to you that this is a safety issue?
While taking my grandson to school this morning on a very curvy country road the engine died on my 2009 volkswagon routain. Having no brakes and no power steering made it very difficult to control vehicle. I turned on emergency flashers when car finally stoped turned to off position then restarted engine. This is not the first time this has happened to me and my wife. Problem cannot be diagnosed by dealer why can't Chrysler fix this serious problem before someone gets injured or killed. I know as well as NHTSA that this has happened to many people. Previous recall fix for ignition switch at wv dealer to solve this problem did not work . Its a shame that many people have to injured or killed by a serious known problem like this before companies are forced to fix them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V396000 (electrical system); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,770.
I am having all kinds of brake problems! I had to replace all the pads and rotors which where badly rusted at 28000.and now at 44000 I will have to replace them all again and callibors I also had all 4 tires go flat at different times because of valve sensors corroding and falling into tires! Skylight leaks! Drivers side sliding door does not close automaticly!ruber on running bourds kept comming off.dealer finnaly reinbursed me after going back 2 or3 times to have them glue it down. I spend more time trying to fix it than driving it it only has 44000 miles! Vehicle is a lemmon!
We were driving the vehicle when all of the sudden it stalled! There is no check light on and when it does this we lost all power breaking and steering. This almost happened to us around an elevated corner luckily we had just past the curve when we lost all power. In reading this is a common problem on the town and country Routan grand caravan and all associated models. Something should be done due to the danger and potential risk to human life! We bought this van to keep our children safe not have to worry of it will loose power steering at 30 MPH in a canyon corner!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. While driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly accelerated past 90 MPH on its own. The vehicle failed to accelerate when depressing the brake pedal and the cruise control could not be deactivated. The driver had to switch the engine off in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to coventry motorcars (2152 boston tpke, coventry, ct), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Five times in the past 6 months the power in the van basically turns off. The steering becomes next to impossible and the brakes become extremely tight to the point you can't even use them. It is terrifying to have zero control over your car considering I have 4 children. It has happened while I was going only 30mph and also when I was going 45 MPH. It happens when I'm going straight and has also happened while turning. Since the latest issue I refuse to drive anywhere that I can't take back roads to.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the ESC warning light suddenly displayed, and the braking system erroneously activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
While driving typically at speeds less than 45 MPH the vehicle engine will shut down and electrical power at the dash is lost. Vehicle will restart after it shuts down. Problem is not consistent. Dealer can not verify the complaint, therefore can not repair. NHTSA recall 14V396 appears to be the correction for the issue. Dealer will not perform the recall until they duplicate the issue. Has been at the dealer for 6 days with no duplication of the complaint.
Brake complaints in other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, 19% of the model year's 294 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen Routan brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Routan brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.