Most common 2013 Volkswagen Routan problems
Share of the 7 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 →
What 2013 Volkswagen Routan owners say
Engine & cooling
Vehicle would shudder sometimes harshly under light throttle at 45-60mph and small hill or acceleration. Dealer diagnosed a left cylinder head failure and cylinder misfires. Vehicle has approximately 80,000 miles. Not included by VIN and falls just outside the manufacturing date, which resulted in a manufacturers extended warranty for similar failures. Requested assistance from vw due to the similarity of failure and close manufacturing date for the extended warranty. Vw did not offer assistance. Hard to believe a vehicle just produced outside an extended warranty window would have a similar failure and not be a part of the extended warranty. Review the documented complaints... Many 2013 Dodge grand caravan, Chrysler town and country and vw Routan vans have left cylinder head failures that are documented yet are not included by the manufacturers in their extended warranty notice.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Routan. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle shook, jerked, and misfired while the accelerator pedal was applied. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (hawk Volkswagen located at 2861 w jefferson st joliet, il 60435 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000.
2013 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 2013 Volkswagen Routan a good car?
Based on 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Routan rates better than average: 96% 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 2013 Volkswagen Routan?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (2) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Routan have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Routan. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2013 Volkswagen Routan problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 17% 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.