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 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.
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.
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.
I've been experiencing major safety problems with my 2012 vw Routan lately. On several occasions, while driving, my van has completely shut down. The dashboard, engine, power steering, everything completely turns off and I am unable to do anything until the vehicle comes to a complete stop and I start the engine again. The first time it shut down, I was driving in the city driving at 35 MPH. Out of no where, the engine shut down, simultaneously the dashboard turned off and I lost all control of my vehicle until it came to a complete stop and I was able to turn it back on. But the last time this happened, I was on the freeway, driving in the rain, at 60 miles/hr. The scariest part is not having control of the wheel and have the ability to safely pull over to the shoulder before restarting the engine again. The mechanic I contacted was not been able to figure out what the problem is. …
The engine will die as I'm driving down the highway. This causes me to lose power steering, all my digital guages on dash,etc. When I pull over stop and put it in neutral I can then turn the key and it will start right back up. This has happened at least 6 times while driving on the highway or in town but always while moving and for no apparent reason. Possible touched the key chain with my knee but I can't say anything triggered it. First thing I notice is I'm slowing down and have to power steering. Also, when starting the car the ignition regularly does not recognize that I've turned the key. Requires that I push the key in with force up and to the right while rotating for the key to activate the ignition. Sometime the engine will begin to start but stop when I let go of the key. My dealer said it could be the battery or the remote car starter. …
Vehicle has experienced stalling, engine shutdown, and difficulty starting multiple times. Engine has now stalled more frequently at both low speeds and while driving on highway. Each time, RPM's have gone to zero and it's completely lost power to steering. I've had try and coast/navigate safely to side of road, berm, etc., stop, and restart the van. At times the dash lights will flash, other times there is no indication that a failure had occurred, just no power/rpms. No check engine light remains, no codes displayed, nothing. The local Volkswagen dealer will not even address the issue as they deem it a "Chrysler problem". We now take it to an independent mechanic and replaced the crankshaft & camshaft position sensors, key fobs, battery, and have done all preventative maintenance. The problem still remains. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to street Volkswagen located at 8707 pilgrim dr, amarillo, tx 79119, who diagnosed that the engine fly-wheel was damaged and needed to be replaced. After replacing the fly-wheel, the failure continued. The dealer later replaced the engine head and fly-wheel however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was no yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Routan. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and stalled. The contact did not recall if a warning indicator was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. An independent mechanic diagnosed that a rod went through the engine and created a hole. As a result, the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. No assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
Same issues as others as reported for TIPM failures in vw Routan / Chrysler vehicles. The underlying common part is the the part number for the totally integrated power module in the 2012 Volkswagen Routan is vw 7b0937049. The part number in the Volkswagen Routan translates to Chrysler's part number 68105507 ac/ad. Although Chrysler has done a settlement in a class action lawsuit, the actual vehicles recalled are limited and about 1mm of the 7mm affected vehicles with faulty tipms. I am currently in a small claim's court case against Volkswagen trying to get reimbursed for my repair costs.
Engine complaints in other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, 33% of the model year's 63 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Volkswagen Routan engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 6% 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.