AI DamageVolkswagen Routan: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Volkswagen Routan across 7 model years: 784 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 58% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 455 complaints (58% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 195 complaints (25% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 104 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 76 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 70 complaints (9% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2011–2014named in 1 complaints
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2009–2010named in 1 complaints
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2009–2010named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed 2009–2014
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 784 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 455 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 195 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 104 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 76 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 70 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 55 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 35 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 34 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 23 | 5 | 0 |
| Wheels | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 12 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The paramedics and the Police arrived on the scene. A Police report was filed, however thePolice report information was unavailable.
I was in a pretty bad car accident 4/5/2019 with 6 kids in the car and none of the airbags deployed.. We were I motion when car infront of me tried to avoid the car in front of him. I saw him and I tried to avoid him so my left front hit his rear right side.
Most days it will not start. I have had a vw mechanic take a look and they advised its the fuel pump relay same that was recalled on the dodge and jeep vehicles. Because this is the same one but in vw body
Intermittent engine failure. 2010 vw routan sel. 4.0 engine. Car turns completely off while driving. No engine codes or check engine light come on. Dealers cannot repair and be says this be is not on the recall for this specific problem.
The air bags did not deploy. The driver was shaken up and was taken to the emergency room for medical attention. The vehicle was damaged and towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. The vin was invalid. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Unfortunately my 2011 vw routan was involved in an accident where it was struck on the passenger side by another vehicle moving at approximately 30mph. As a result of the collision the routan spun 270 degrees and rolled over. None of the multiple airbags in my vehicle deployed!
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.