2009 Volkswagen ROUTAN: complaints, problems and recalls

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SE WITH BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS. OUR 4 YEAR OLD SON WENT TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE, AND AT THE SAME TIME MY HUSBAND WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PUSHING THE "DOOR OPEN" BUTTON ON THE KEY. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE DOOR ENDED UP CLOSING COMPLETELY, AND LATCHING, ON MY SON'S HAND. IT ALSO WOULD ONLY OPEN ONCE MY HUSBAND FORCEFULLY PULLED THE DOOR OPEN. OF COURSE HIS HAND IMMEDIATELY SWELLED UP AND WE VISITED THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, HAD XRAY'…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267716 at NHTSA ↗

I AM WRITING YOU DUE TO AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO MY CHILD CONCERNING THE VW ROUTON MINIVAN. WE WERE LOOKING AT ONE ON DISPLAY AT HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE THIS PAST SATURDAY, THE 4TH OF JULY., 2009. THE BACK HATCH WAS OPEN AND MY 7 YEAR OLD FOUND BUTTONS THAT POWERED THE LAST ROW OF SEATS. THESE BUTTONS LIFTED THE SEATS UP AND DOWN. TO MY HORROR I ALL OF SUDDEN HEARD MY 3 YEAR OLD SCREAMING. HE WAS STANDING IN THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE LAST ROW OF SEATS WITH HIS FOOT LODGED IN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE FLOOR. THE POWER LIFT WAS STILL RUNN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10275912 at NHTSA ↗

BACK UP CAMERA ON THE VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN MINIVAN IS UNUSABLE. VIDEO HAS NO CONTRAST, LOW COLOR LEVEL, LACKS DETAIL, WRONG COLORS, ETC. THIS CAMERA IS A HAZARD FOR ANYONE THAT TRIES TO USE IT FOR BACKING UP. SAME CAMERA AS ON ALL CHRYSLER MINIVANS. ADDITIONALLY WHEN THE VAN IS EQUIPPED WITH THE CAMERA, THEY DELETE THE BACKUP SENSORS, LEAVING NO AIDS FOR DETERMINING IF THE BLIND SPOTS ARE CLEAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 26 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278589 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. 412 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282818 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE THIRD ROW IS A BENCH SEAT, WHICH HAS LATCH COMPATIBILITY IN ONE PLACE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT A CHILD SAFETY SEAT (BOOSTER OR INFANT SEAT) CAN BE INSTALLED USING THE LATCH SYSTEM IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE THIRD ROW. WHEN A BOOSTER SEAT OR AN INFANT SEAT ARE, IN FACT, INSTALLED IN THIS THIRD ROW, THE CHILD IS ACTUALLY POSITIONED IN BETWEEN THE OUTBOARD SEAT AND THE CENTER SEAT, DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE LATCH "BARS", AND THE CHILD'S HEAD IS IN BETWEEN THE CENTER AND OUTBOARD HEADREST, AND IS NOT PROT…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286109 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN THE ONE MONTH OLD VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY FELT LIKE SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. I GOT IN THE CAR AGAIN TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THERE IT STAYED FOR 13 DAYS. THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WERE REPAIRED/REPLACE: FAULTY TRANSMISSION SENSOR, REPLACED SENSOR. ALSO, ABS STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ERRATIC PERFORMANCE. FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,719 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288990 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT EFFORT. THE ANTI-SKID WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/0…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291507 at NHTSA ↗

HEATING/VENTILATION/AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL PANEL IS MOUNTED LOW IN THE CENTER DASH AREA AND IS ILLUMINATED IN BLUE, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN DAYLIGHT. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS/HER EYES OFF THE ROAD WHEN MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SETTINGS AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. THE 2010 MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE USES WHITE LIGHTING, CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. 2009 MODELS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR A RETROFIT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 88 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293343 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-07-01 (July 1, 2009)

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.

Reported: 2010-06-10 (June 10, 2010)

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.

Reported: 2014-02-11 (February 11, 2014)

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.

Reported: 2014-07-01 (July 1, 2014)

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.

Reported: 2015-04-01 (April 1, 2015)

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.

Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)

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.