Volkswagen

Routan (1st)

2009-2014 · Minivan ยท 5 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.5)
732 NHTSA Complaints
8 Recalls
8 Fire Reports
16 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

Volkswagen Routan Unidentified Engine

โœ… Recommended (3.5)
96 complaints 24.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
50
brakes
19
engine
14
body
13
transmission
11

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (50 complaints)
Brakes Issues (19 complaints)
Engine Issues (14 complaints)

EA390 VR6

3.6L 6-cyl / 283 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.4)
176 complaints 58.7 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
116
engine
56
fuel system
43
transmission
18
brakes
11

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (116 complaints)
Engine Issues (56 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (43 complaints)

3.8-V6-Gas

3.8L 6-cyl / 197 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.2)
130 complaints 65.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
83
engine
27
transmission
15
brakes
13
steering
12

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (83 complaints)
Engine Issues (27 complaints)
Transmission Issues (15 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl / 200 hp
โœ… Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
1

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volkswagen Routan regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (436 complaints)
electrical serious
Engine Issues (193 complaints)
engine serious
Brakes Issues (99 complaints)
brakes serious
Transmission Issues (56 complaints)
transmission critical
Steering Issues (46 complaints)
steering serious

Recalls (8)

16V083000Nov 1, 2016serious
Air Bags

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

15V194000Jan 3, 2015serious
Electrical System

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. 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. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

14V055000Nov 1, 2014serious
Suspension

Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.

14V396000Jan 6, 2014serious
Electrical System

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. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

12V147000May 3, 2012serious
Suspension

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.

11V151000Jan 2, 2011serious
Electrical System

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2009 THROUGH JUNE 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT IGNITION KEY DISPLACEMENT FROM THE RUN TO ACCESSORY POSITION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF.

10V252000Oct 5, 2010serious
Electrical System

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. CONTACT WITH A 12V POWER FEED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE HARNESS MAY CAUSE A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE LATCH MECHANISM LOCATED INSIDE OF THE SLIDING DOOR.

09V244000Jan 6, 2009serious
Equipment

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 18,500 MY 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS PRINTED WITHOUT THE FMVSS NO. 208 REQUIRED INFORMATION EXPLAINING THAT NO OBJECTS SHOULD BE PLACED OVER THE OR NEAR THE AIR BAG ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan problems?

The 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan has accumulated 732 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volkswagen Routan engine is most reliable?

The 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.6L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan a good used car?

The 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 732 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan have?

The 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan has 732 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan?

There are 8 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Routan?

Before buying a used Volkswagen Routan, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Engine, Brakes, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Routan?

The 2014 Volkswagen Routan received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 732 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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