VehicleVerdict

2009 Volkswagen Routan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 460 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.0 times the median Routan year — the 2009 model ranks #1 of 7 Routan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 165 reports (36% of the total).

460

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Routan years?

Routan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted460 complaints2008: 3 complaints2009: 460 complaints2010: 359 complaints2011: 302 complaints2012: 115 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 2 complaints
Routan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Routan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Volkswagen Routan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System16536%
Engine8318%
Brakes5712%
Steering347%
Transmission204%
Tires & Wheels194%
Body & Structure184%
Other163%
Speed Control82%
Airbags82%
Lighting61%
Seats61%
Latches & Locks61%
Fuel System51%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Suspension41%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V083000AirbagsFebruary 11, 2016 · 1,037 units

Defect

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.

15V194000Electrical SystemApril 1, 2015 · 20,676 units

Defect

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.

14V396000Electrical SystemJuly 1, 2014 · 18,526 units

Defect

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.

14V055000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2014 · 130 units

Defect

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.

10V252000Electrical SystemJune 10, 2010 · 15,902 units

Defect

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.

09V244000OtherJuly 1, 2009 · 18,500 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A MECHANIC…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 4, 2016 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER PERFORMED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 12, 2009 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER PERFORMED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 12, 2009 · crash

MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SLIPPED INTO REVERSE WHILE I WAS BEHIND IT TODAY RUNNING ME OVER AND CAUSING A LEG INJURY. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 3, 2009 · crash

2009 Volkswagen Routan — common questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 460 complaints put the 2009 model at #1 of 7 Routan years. It is one of the Routan years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Routan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (165 complaints), engine (83 complaints), brakes (57 complaints).

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Volkswagen Routan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volkswagen Routan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Routan years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Routan years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.