Most common 2012 Volkswagen Routan problems
Share of the 63 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Routan complaints by model year
Best Routan years: 2013, 2012. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010. Compare all years →
2012 Volkswagen Routan recalls (1)
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.
What 2012 Volkswagen Routan owners say
Electrical system all 39 →
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! …
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.
Engine & cooling all 21 →
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. …
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.
Fuel & 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. 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.
I was in a parking lot van would not start. It would turn over an crank again and again when attempting to start, but the engine would not run. Tow truck driver was able to start it by removing push start and using key fob, but had trouble getting it started again unloading at vw dealership. The vw dealer fist said it was the fuel pump, then said that the fuel pump relay in the TIPM was bad and was burning out the fuel pump. The fuel pump relay is integrated into the TIPM and can't be replaced without replacing TIPM. The TIPM not covered under warranty. Currently waiting on vw dealer to find Dodge/Chrysler fuel relay bypass cable kit that fit my VIN. In the meantime, the vw dealer has installed a temporary jumper to power the fuel pump while the vehicle is turned on. …
2012 Volkswagen Routan engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Routan a good car?
Based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Routan rates better than average: 70% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Routan at the same age. It is one of the best Routan years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
The electrical system — 39 complaints, 62% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (21) and fuel & propulsion system (9).
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have?
There is 1 recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, the most recent from April 5, 2012 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Routan?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009 and 2010. See the full Volkswagen Routan years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Volkswagen Routan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 24% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.