AI Damage2012 Volkswagen Routan: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 63
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 62% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 39 complaints (62% of all).
- Engine: 21 complaints (33% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 8 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 8 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (11% of all).
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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 63 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 | 39 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 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.
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.
Driver steering wheel airbag deployed while parking van at work. Nothing was hit just went off causing burns and wrist pain and swelling. Wife stated that the front windshield wipers started turning on randomly while driving to work and then airbag blew while parking.
On Thursday January 6, 2022, I took my car Volkswagen Routan 2012 to the service center because the check engine light went on and the engine revving. The service center took a week for diagnostic it, then they informed me on January 13, after charging me $180 that it needs a new transmission because it stuck in limp…
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.
Neither company is willing to recognize that a total transmission failure at 72k miles is [their] responsibility. I am asking for the drivetrain warranty on our vehicle to be extended, due to the âfatal flawâ which has already been identified by Chrysler on the [dealer] service is asking me to pay more than $6,000…
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.
all the lights are being gone and even ac shuts off! when ı push the key the lights come back on and the car can be turned on again. similiar problems are poster on youtube: [link]
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!
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,699 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Routan has 112 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 63, below average.
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.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 63. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (27%), warning lights, check engine (13%), won't start (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 Volkswagen Routan from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
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.