This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct multiple test plans: All basic settings test for the following components - Fill and bleed cooling system issue, N493, J338, Camshaft, V465 etc. Use this test for all the basic setting. You will need to select the component you need to run the basic settings. But there are also stand-alone tests for each of those components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Volkswagen Routan electrical problems
moderate 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 31 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 49% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 31 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct a test that is not reading any information from the battery data module (BDM) and will output:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Minimum battery charger requirements during software updates
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Battery Tester VAS 6161 introduction.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue is TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) failure. This component controls fuel delivery, electrical distribution, and starting—essentially all power flows through it. When it fails, the engine dies mid-highway at any speed, wipers come on uncontrollably, lights flicker wildly, windows stop responding, and the fuel pump either won't run or runs continuously after shutdown, draining the battery overnight. Owners report zero warning codes in many cases, making dealership diagnosis difficult.
The TIPM itself is manufactured by Chrysler (part 68105507 AC/AD; VW rebadges it as 7B0937049). Chrysler and Dodge recall and replace this module in Caravans and Town & Countries—same minivans, same engine—but VW refuses to issue a recall, despite owners providing documented evidence of identical complaints across forums. Repair requires full module replacement (integrated fuel pump relay cannot be serviced separately) at costs exceeding $1,000.
Secondary failures reported include ignition-switch wear requiring forceful key manipulation, hard-start/no-start conditions after multiple cranking attempts, transmission randomly shifting into neutral, and one case of electrical shock through a seat warmer. Most owners' mechanics and dealers initially misdiagnose, replacing battery, starter, alternator, or fuel pump fruitlessly before the TIPM is identified—sometimes only after the owner self-diagnoses online.
Same Volkswagen Routan electrical reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure
The TIPM controls fuel system, electrical distribution, starting capability, and power routing. When it fails, it causes stalling, no-start conditions, fuel pump relay failure, and complete power loss to multiple vehicle systems. Owners report Chrysler and Dodge recalled this same part in their minivans (Caravan, Town & Country) but VW has not issued a recall for the Routan despite using the identical component (Chrysler part 68105507 AC/AD, VW part 7B0937049).
When: Failures occur randomly between 23,300 and 130,000 miles; some occur within one year of purchase, others develop gradually over 2+ years
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving at any speed; Complete loss of power to steering, brakes, dashboard lights, and electrical systems; No start or hard-start conditions requiring multiple attempts (10-30+ cranks); Vehicle cranks but will not run; runs briefly then stalls at idle; Fuel pump continues running after engine off, draining battery overnight; Check engine light may or may not appear; often no diagnostic codes present; Dashboard lights flash or come on randomly while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Full TIPM module replacement required; cannot replace fuel pump relay separately as it is integrated into TIPM. Repair cost quoted at $1,000+. Some dealers applied temporary jumper wire workaround to power fuel pump. One owner reported $1,700 bill for TIPM, fuel pump, and diagnostics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/Dodge issued recalls for TIPM defects in Caravan and Town & Country (2009-2010 model years, with later expanded coverage); Dodge also issued Recall 14v396 mentioned by one owner. Chrysler settled a class-action lawsuit. VW has declined to recall the same part in Routan despite awareness of the defect; VW dealerships sometimes refer customers to Dodge/Chrysler for repair assistance or cite it as a 'Chrysler problem.' Limited Dodge/Chrysler fuel relay bypass cable kits may be available through VW dealers on a case-by-case basis.
Ignition Switch / Key Recognition Failure
The ignition switch fails to recognize key insertion or requires excessive force and specific manipulation to activate. Plastic key mechanism wears out. Similar to defects that were recalled in 2009-2010 model years (Recall 28H1) for 'inadvertent ignition key displacement from the run position.'
When: Occurs intermittently; one owner reports problem present at purchase and worsening
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not activate ignition; ignition does not recognize key insertion; Requires pushing key in with force up and to the right while rotating to engage ignition; Engine begins to start but stops when key is released; Possible inadvertent key displacement from run position causing engine shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of key fobs and ignition switch quoted at approximately $700. One owner replaced battery and remote car starter on dealer recommendation without resolving the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2009-2010 Routan/Town & Country/Caravan owners were subject to Recall 28H1 for this defect; 2012 model year is not covered despite same issue being reported.
No-Start / Hard-Start Condition
Vehicle cranks but fails to start, or starts briefly then stalls at idle. Problem is intermittent and unpredictable. Owners report battery tests good and multiple parts replaced without resolution.
When: Intermittent; one owner reports problem worsening from 2+ years of occasional issues to frequent failures
Symptoms owners cite: Cranks but will not run; Vehicle starts then immediately stalls as RPMs drop to idle; Requires 10-30+ start attempts to get vehicle to run; Problem occurs randomly; vehicle sometimes starts normally at dealership; Battery drains overnight despite no accessories left on
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have replaced battery, starter, wiring harness, transmission range sensor, crankshaft and camshaft position sensors without resolving issue. One owner incurred $1,700 in repairs for alternator, battery, and diagnostics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW dealerships initially replace battery, starter, and sensors under warranty if in coverage period. Dealers struggle to diagnose root cause; one dealership could not identify problem after two days and suggested replacing multiple unrelated components.
Electrical System Malfunction with Multiple Component Failures
Vehicle loses power to multiple electrical systems simultaneously: lights, fuel system, speakers, starting ability, dashboard gauges, windshield wipers, windows, and radio. Owners report dealerships often misdiagnose and replace fuel pump or alternator unnecessarily.
When: Occurs at varying mileages; one incident on highway at 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of lights (headlights, dashboard, interior lights); Fuel gauge goes to empty; Radio shuts off; Windows will not operate; Windshield wipers come on uncontrollably and will not shut off; Starting ability lost or severely impaired; All dashboard lights illuminate at once
Repairs/costs cited: AAA replaced battery without effect; towed for dealer diagnosis. Dealerships have incorrectly blamed fuel pump (requiring replacement at owner cost) or alternator; root cause is often undiagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW dealerships unable to diagnose problem and do not acknowledge TIPM as root cause; owner had to self-diagnose using online research. One owner reported dealership acknowledged TIPM failure only after owner explained it.
Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) Module Defect
Vehicle stalls without warning while driving. Dealer diagnostic suspected WIN module as the cause.
When: At approximately 99,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls without warning at unknown speed
Repairs/costs cited: Owner provided estimate for repair but did not authorize work; repair cost not specified in narrative.
Transmission / Shift Control Malfunction
Transmission randomly shifts out of Drive into Neutral or third gear on the highway without driver input.
When: Occurs randomly while driving at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts from Drive to Neutral or to third gear randomly while driving; Vehicle can be corrected by manually selecting Drive again
Seat Warmer Electrical Short / Shock Hazard
Seat warmer caused electrical shock to driver's ankle when boot heel with metal clasp sat in wet floor mat from melted snow, creating circuit completion.
When: Single incident while driving on city street with possible ice
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp, burning electrical sensation to ankle; Warm sensation near hip area; Dull tingling in middle finger after incident; Symptoms stopped when seat warmer was turned off
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
My 2012 Volkswagen routan has only 87k miles and the car will crank but will not start, and or while driving the car's idle becomes rough and drops to the point of shutting off while driving. My wife drives this car with my daughter and if this car shuts off while driving it can cause accidents and bodily harm to others.
For past 2 years I noticed my the van would not immediately start. Figured it was a fluke. In past year, my van has been towed to dealership for not starting after 10-15 tries. Of course, as soon as it arrives the get it to start. Thankful under warranty. Nov 2017 wiring harness and starter replaced. Dec 2017 failed to start again. Back to dealer and working fine for them. Thankful under…
At first it starts off the vehicle will just shut off while you are driving which is very dangerous I have read many people complaining about this it needs to be recalled then the brakes go and then the transmission seal I have done all the maintenance up keep on my vehicle there is no reason for the vehicle did you shut off the way it keeps shutting off and dying for no reason the battery keeps…
While driving on a city street roads may have had a little ice on them. Felt a sharp sensation to my outer ankle area (I believe at the time I was in the process of breaking to come to a stop. Shortly after felt the same sensation to my ankle sharp, burning, noticed the sensation felt electrical felt warm sensation near hip area... I believe the sensation was electrical currents that penetrated…
I file a complaint a fews months ago about have troubles starting my van or battery drainage. Took it to the dealership in shreveport, la. The had to replace the module (tipm)fuel pump.this cost my family 1700! This is a serve safty problem for many families. This should be a recall for all vw and Chrysler vehicles. The vw dealership said this wasnt the first routan they had to fix with same…
My car began to lose lights, fuel, speaker capabilities, and starting ability. Once was on the highway, and twice in my driveway. Aaa came and replaced the battery after jumping the original battery was not effective, which did nothing. It was towed to the Volkswagen dealership. They were unable to find out what was wrong for 2 days. While waiting to see what the dealership came up with, I did…
I was in a parking lot van would not start. It would turn over an crank again and again when attempting to start, but the engine would not run. Tow truck driver was able to start it by removing push start and using key fob, but had trouble getting it started again unloading at vw dealership. The vw dealer fist said it was the fuel pump, then said that the fuel pump relay in the tipm was bad…
Tipm - the tipm in the routan has been noted as malfunctioning on many online forums. My tipm malfunctioned and my vehicle suddenly stop on a highway while driving. This is very dangerous.
Takata recall. Having problems starting van on first try. Van will stall a few times before starting. Sometimes the battery is drain. Battery has been tested=good! This has been happening for 3 months. I after reading and researching I come to a conclusion that it is the tipm fuel relay!
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen routan. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and resumed normal driving. The contact initially contacted the manufacturer by phone and was referred to the Dodge manufacturer for assistance. The contact reached out to the Dodge manufacturer and she was referred to a…
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 31 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 60,800 and 116,063 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,800; a quarter make it past 116,063. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Volkswagen/Routan.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.