Model year record

2009 Volkswagen Routan recalls & problems

The 2009 Volkswagen Routan has 6 safety recalls and 294 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (152 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints294filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsFeb 11, 2016

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 16V0830001,037 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.

Components: Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags › Frontal

Electrical systemApr 1, 2015

Ignition › Switch

Recall 15V19400020,676 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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 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.

Electrical systemJul 1, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V39600018,526 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.

SuspensionFeb 11, 2014

Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly

Recall 14V055000130 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemJun 10, 2010

Wiring

Recall 10V25200015,902 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.

EquipmentJul 1, 2009

Other › Owners/service/other manual

Recall 09V24400018,500 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Volkswagen Routan w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Routan FWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Routan FWD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring	152	0	3	5	73,500 mi
Engine	78	0	0	0	70,000 mi
Service brakes	38	0	0	0	65,000 mi
Steering	34	1	1	0	76,100 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	20	2	0	3	65,000 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	18	0	0	4	7,100 mi
Unknown or other	15	0	0	4	80,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor	15	0	0	1	15,000 mi
Wheels	12	0	0	0	60,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	12	0	0	0	87,400 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	8	0	0	0	75,400 mi
Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification	8	2	0	1	96,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not available. The local dealer was contacted to schedule the recall repair, but the part remained unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Jul 17, 2026
Air bagsCrash1 injury
The contact owned a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact suffered a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi-truck. In addition, the contact's vehicle crashed into a ditch. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The paramedics and the Police arrived on the scene. A Police report was filed, however thePolice report information was unavailable. The contact sustained eight broken ribs on the left side and two broken ribs on the right side, injury to the left eye which needed stitches, major trauma to the left lung and bruises and cuts. The contact was taken to the local…
Jun 8, 2024 · 150,000 miles
Electrical system
Volkswagen dealership does not want to fulfill the recall.
Jun 23, 2024
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was…
Jul 24, 2023 · 170,000 miles
Electrical system
While driving the vehicle flashed several of the dashboard waring lights, starting dinging and then stopped, started flashing and dinging again then the vehicle completely turned off. I was able to pull over out of traffic but the vehicle would not restart. None of the interior lights would come one and the emergency lights would not come on. I could not unlock any of the doors. The battery has been replaced with in the last year and is working correctly.
Jun 20, 2023
Electrical system
the car shuts off while driving which is scary. requires restarting while in traffic. there was a recall in past and the fix clearly did not work. This incident has occurred multiple times.
Feb 1, 2023
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect
May 23, 2022
Electrical system
After getting wires regrounded at the mechanic, the car continues to malfunction. The wiper blades turn on, the entire dash blinks, the seat moves back and forth, resetting repeatedly. If seat is disconnected for safety, the seatbelt does not register as secured. Eventually doors stop functioning, have completely lost lock function, tried replacing battery and sending to mechanic specialist. Still the car malfunctions at random.
May 12, 2022

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.