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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2008–2014

Volkswagen Routan recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 784 owner complaints for the Volkswagen Routan, covering model years 2008 to 2014. The 2009 model year drew the most complaints (294), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Volkswagen Routan VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 8 recall campaigns on file
  • 784 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (2008–2014)
  • most complaints: 2009 (294 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (455 complaints)
  • latest recall 16V083000 (reported Feb 11, 2016)
  • 16 complaints reporting a crash (2.0%)
  • 8 complaints reporting a fire (1.0%)
  • 22 complaints reporting an injury (2.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Volkswagen Routan complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2009 model year has the most complaints: 294 of 784, or 37.5%. Next come 2010 (240) and 2011 (175). The fewest are for 2014, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Volkswagen Routan owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2008–2014Column chart of 784 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 2009 with 294. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2008: 3 complaints320082009: 294 complaints29420092010: 240 complaints24020102011: 175 complaints17520112012: 63 complaints6320122013: 7 complaints720132014: 2 complaints22014
Volkswagen Routan complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Volkswagen Routan complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200830000
20092946390
20102405380
20111754230
2012631020
201370000
201420000
All model years784168220

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Volkswagen Routan components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 455 complaints (58.0% of all 784), followed by Engine (195) and Service Brakes (83).

Components named most often in Volkswagen Routan complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Volkswagen Routan complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System45558.0%
Engine19524.9%
Service Brakes8310.6%
Steering769.7%
Power Train708.9%
Unknown or Other577.3%
Fuel/Propulsion System557.0%
Structure354.5%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)344.3%
Vehicle Speed Control253.2%
Air Bags232.9%
Wheels202.6%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic192.4%
Exterior Lighting172.2%
Seats131.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Volkswagen Routan recalls

8 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Routan, newest first. The 8 campaigns cover model years 2009 to 2012. The 2009 model year appears in the most campaigns (6).

  • 8 recall campaigns
Volkswagen Routan recall campaigns covering each model year
2009: 6 campaigns2010: 2 campaigns2011: no campaigns2012: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 16V083000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2009

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 15V194000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition › Switch

    Model years 2009–2010

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H1. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 11V151 and 14V396. Vehicles that previously received an ignition switch trim ring as a recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign. Vehicles that have already received a new ignition switch are not covered by this campaign.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 14V396000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition

    Model year 2009

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will modify the ignition switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1- 800-822-8987. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 29, 2014. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28G1/U8. Note: This campaign is an expansion of NHTSA Recall No. 11V-151.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 14V055000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly

    Model year 2009

    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.

    Consequence:
    Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  5. NHTSA campaign 12V147000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model year 2012

    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.

    Consequence:
    This could result in a decrease in durability, which may lead to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right rear hub and bearing assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 20, 2012. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 11V151000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition › Switch

    Model year 2010

    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.

    Consequence:
    An engine shutting off suddenly while driving could increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during June 2011. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 10V252000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Wiring

    Model year 2009

    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.

    Consequence:
    This could result in an overheated latch and a fire within the rear sliding door could occur.
    Remedy:
    Volkswagen will inspect the sliding door wire track wire assembly and the sliding door power drive unit wire assembly for damage, repair/replace as necessary, tie strap the two harnesses together and route the harnesses under the sliding door weather strip. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 15, 2010. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

  8. NHTSA campaign 09V244000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual

    Model year 2009

    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.

    Consequence:
    Any such objects could cause injury to the vehicle's occupants in the event of a crash severe enough to cause the air bag to inflate.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will send an owner's manual insert containing the required air bag information for owner installation or dealers will install in the event the owner prefers assistance from the dealer. The recall began on July 31, 2009. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

    Filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Volkswagen Routan questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Volkswagen Routan have?

NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recall campaigns for the Volkswagen Routan, covering model years 2008 to 2014. The most recent, 16V083000, was reported on February 11, 2016 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2009 model year is covered by the most campaigns (6).

Which Volkswagen Routan model year has the most complaints?

The 2009 model year, with 294 of the 784 complaints in NHTSA’s file (37.5%). The next are 2010 (240) and 2011 (175). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Volkswagen Routan complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 455 complaints, or 58.0% of all 784. Engine (195) and Service Brakes (83) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Volkswagen Routan?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Volkswagen dealer.

How many Volkswagen Routan complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 784 complaints, 16 report a crash, 8 a fire, 22 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Volkswagen models

8 models · most complaints first

The Volkswagen models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Volkswagen VIN decoder with every Volkswagen model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Volkswagen models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.