Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Volkswagen Routan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
At first it starts off the vehicle will just shut off while you are driving which is very dangerous I have read many people complaining about this it needs to be recalled then the brakes go and then the transmission seal I have done all the maintenance up keep on my vehicle there is no reason for the vehicle did you shut off the way it keeps shutting off and dying for no reason the battery keeps dying by the next morning when nothing is left on in the vehicle it has caused me a great deal of grief and it is very scary when you have children in the car and your vehicle just shuts off on the freeway when everything is electric guess what no breaks
NHTSA Recall 14v396 is probably the best correction to this issue. My van has shut off mid-driving while my children are in the car with me. It is so dangerous in the road. I can't move the steering wheel. Mechanics can't seem to diagnose the problem because the van doesn't give any computer codes when it would shut down. There are similar complaints and I wonder how Volkswagen knows of this issue and has failed to inform the owners of these vehicles. Chrysler had a similar issue and did a recall. I hope Volkswagen would acknowledge this issue.
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! t does not give any dashboard warning and no codes! all the lights are being gone and even ac shuts off! when 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
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.
Several times in the last month the car has stopped running without warning. It just shuts off. This has happened in our subdivision travelling at 20mph and most recently on the highway travelling 65mph. The power steering, brakes, everything go dead when the car just turns off and this could cause a serious accident.
My vehicle is shutting off while driving. It randomly shuts off and I see there are other recalls associated with this issue for a different year but same vehicle/model. I am being quoted well over $2,000 in repairs. This vehicle only has 130,000 miles on it.
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. …
My car began to lose lights, fuel, speaker capabilities, and starting ability. Once was on the highway, and twice in my driveway. Aaa came and replaced the battery after jumping the original battery was not effective, which did nothing. It was towed to the Volkswagen dealership. They were unable to find out what was wrong for 2 days. While waiting to see what the dealership came up with, I did my own research. It turns out that Chrysler made the car, and it includes the Chrysler body and parts. Chrysler recalled a part called the total power integration module, that controls the fuel system, all electric, starting capabilities, basically any power has to be routed through this part. It can cause cars to stall in high speed operation, among other things. …
Electrical complaints in other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, 62% of the model year's 63 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, though it has 1 recall 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 2012 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 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.