Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not available. The local dealer was contacted to schedule the recall repair, but the part remained unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
While driving the vehicle flashed several of the dashboard waring lights, starting dinging and then stopped, started flashing and dinging again then the vehicle completely turned off. I was able to pull over out of traffic but the vehicle would not restart. None of the interior lights would come one and the emergency lights would not come on. I could not unlock any of the doors. The battery has been replaced with in the last year and is working correctly.
After getting wires regrounded at the mechanic, the car continues to malfunction. The wiper blades turn on, the entire dash blinks, the seat moves back and forth, resetting repeatedly. If seat is disconnected for safety, the seatbelt does not register as secured. Eventually doors stop functioning, have completely lost lock function, tried replacing battery and sending to mechanic specialist. Still the car malfunctions at random.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. While driving 60 MPH, the contact detected a burning odor without warning. In addition, the contact observed smoke outside and inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the instrument panel, headlights, and radio failed to work. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over, opened the hood, and saw no sign of a fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wire from the ignition switch to the starter had failed (burned) and needed to be replaced. Also, the power steering line failed and leaked. The independent mechanic stated that there were so many electrical failures with the vehicle and recommended her to contact NHTSA. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V194000 and 14V396000 (electrical system: ignition switch). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was involved in an electrical fire. The contact stated that smoke entered into the cabin of the vehicle and the rear passenger side door caught fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. A mechanic extinguished the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Have owned this vehicle for 5 months. Vehicle would not start...had been driven aprox 30 miles/cooled just would click, would restart after time given, taken to dealer no problems found, it has done this 4 more time since, is part of the recall 14v-396. Have taken it back to the dealer purchased from and vw dealership and problem cannot be duplicated therefore it cannot be repaired. It has been in the shop for two weeks and no solution found....suspect it is the ignition switch in the recall but is not throwing out any code. Vw states that they cannot replaced because there is no code and if whin module none are available plus the recall states remedy not available. Vw rep said we could pay out of pocket, and then if later found out to be under the recall they would reimburse...which is totally a lie since there are no whin modules available and that isn't a known fix. …
In July 2012 I bought a certified pre-owned 2009 Volkswagen Routan minivan. I have reported the following major safety problems on several occasions to no resolve: loss of power' the car will completely lose power and the steering wheel locks while driving. For ex on 12/22 from 5:32p ' 10:48p, the car lost power and steering wheel locked 11 times. Sliding doors automatically open ' the doors will not close securely, won't open, or will appear closed and spontaneously reopen. There have been several times we will go out for the evening or come out for work in the morning and both doors are opened. At times, while driving, the door (particularly the driver side rear) will appear closed and secure however it will sound as if it has suddenly jumped off track and the door will crack open. …
Related recalls
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.
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
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…
Electrical complaints in other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA has 151 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, 51% of the model year's 294 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-194 (switch, Apr 1, 2015); NHTSA recall 14V-396 (ignition, Jul 1, 2014); NHTSA recall 10V-252 (wiring, Jun 10, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries to electrical system 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.