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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-VOLKSWAGEN-ROUTAN
2009 · Volkswagen

Volkswagen Routan problems

4 safety recalls. 293 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
128 reports · avg $850
severe
steering
34 reports · avg $700
severe
brakes
30 reports · avg $450
severe
engine
30 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
16 reports · avg $2,500
severe
body
7 reports · avg $1,500
severe
tires
7 reports · avg $150
moderate
wheels
7 reports · avg $400
moderate
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 Routan?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 Routan · electrical
WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE VAN COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF EVEN WHILE RUNNING. REPORTED IT TO OUR LOCAL VW DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT MIGHT BE AN IGNITION PROBLEM WHICH IS PART OF A RECALL. WAS INFORMED THAT AT THIS TIME THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669104.0
2009 Routan · electrical
MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN DIES WHILE DRIVING. I'VE ON THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING THE WHOLE TIME. THAT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LOWER SPEEDS (UNDER 35MPH). IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M GOING STRAIGHT AND WHEN I'M TURNING CORNERS, GOING OVER OR NO BUMPS AT ALL.…
12/29/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938539.0
2009 Routan · electrical
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER…
12/22/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10667732.0
2009 Routan · cruise control
CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GOES CRAZY, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GOES CRAZY. RADIO TURNS OFF AND ON, THEN THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF COMPLETELY. IT TURNS ON AFTER. SOMETIMES ALL THIS HAPPENS BEFORE TURNING OFF, SOMETIMES IT TURNS OFF SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING…
12/20/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11290284.0

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Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 16V083000 11/02/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 10V252000 10/06/2010

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2008 THROUGH JULY 2009

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED LATCH AND A FIRE WITHIN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR COULD OCCUR.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 14V396000 01/07/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system

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.

Fix: 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.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 293 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Volkswagen Routan has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 128 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Volkswagen Routan has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 293 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 21 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Volkswagen. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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