VehicleVerdict

2012 Volkswagen Routan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2012 Volkswagen Routan sits mid-pack among Routan years: 115 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 115, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 40 reports (35% of the total).

115

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Routan years?

Routan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted460 complaints2008: 3 complaints2009: 460 complaints2010: 359 complaints2011: 302 complaints2012: 115 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 2 complaints
Routan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Routan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen Routan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4035%
Engine2118%
Fuel System98%
Steering87%
Transmission76%
Brakes76%
Other76%
Airbags65%
Speed Control33%
Seats22%
Lighting22%
Suspension11%
Body & Structure11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V147000SuspensionApril 5, 2012 · 15 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 12, 2014

“WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STALL ALL LIGHTS WILL COME ON. SOMETIME IT WILL START BACK UP WHEN PUSHING START BUTTON AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL TAKE A FEW MINUTES. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN GOING UNDER 10 MPH. IT IS ALSO SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO START AFTER ALL THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 14, 2018

“MY CAR WILL CRANK BUT NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IF YOU USE THE KEY FOB YOU CAN GET IT TO START. I HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT BY TWO TECHNICIANS WHO ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MADE BY CHRYSLER EVEN THOUGH IT'S A VOLKSWAGEN AND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER DODGE VANS FROM 2011 AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 25, 2019

“HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. HAD TO REPLACE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AT 80,500 MILES. BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS WERE MAKING GRINDING NOISES. RACK AND PINION HYDRAULIC LINE CRACKED AT ELBOW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. RACK AND PINION PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 7, 2020

“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. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND NOW I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 5, 2019 · crash

2012 Volkswagen Routan — common questions

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Routan reliable?

It is close to typical for the Routan: 115 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2012 Routan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (40 complaints), engine (21 complaints), fuel system (9 complaints).

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2012 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.