2009 Volkswagen ROUTAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
294 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 249 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 147 of 294 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 88 | 29.9% |
| Braking behavior | 82 | 27.9% |
| Steering behavior | 62 | 21.1% |
| Engine operation | 58 | 19.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 147 |
| Engine | 78 |
| Service Brakes | 38 |
| Steering | 34 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 12 |
Electrical System: 147; Engine: 78; Service Brakes: 38; Steering: 34; Power Train: 16; Unknown Or Other: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 14; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 47 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 35 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 62 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 49 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 46 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 47; 25,000 to 49,999: 35; 50,000 to 74,999: 62; 75,000 to 99,999: 49; 100,000 to 149,999: 46; 150,000 and above: 10
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (62). 45 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2014 | 66 |
| 2015 | 63 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 8; 2010: 13; 2011: 20; 2012: 13; 2013: 20; 2014: 66; 2015: 63; 2016: 22; 2017: 21; 2018: 12; 2019: 11; 2020: 11; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 88 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 82 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 62 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10325835 · 2010-04-15 (April 15, 2010)
THE REAR TAILGATE OF MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN OPENED UP AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND IN MOTION WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SHOULD NOT DO EVEN IF THE POWER TAILGATE BUTTON IS PRESSED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WHICH RESULTED IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERING UPON CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPENING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND NOTHING WAS FOUND IN THE DIAGNOSTICS THAT POINTED TO A FAILURE OF ANY SORT. THERE WERE PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL I…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10331625 · 2010-05-21 (May 21, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE SENSOR FAILED AND HER CHILDS FINGERS AND PART OF HIS BODY WERE JAMMED IN THE DOOR. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO FAILURES IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10288990 · 2009-10-19 (October 19, 2009)
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 ↗
Owner report 10291507 · 2009-11-09 (November 9, 2009)
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 ↗
Owner report 10524463 · 2013-07-11 (July 11, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST WEEK THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE WHILE TURNING LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. THE VAN STOPPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN AND WAS STARTED JUST IN TIME AND STARTED MOVING AS ONCOMING CAR ALSO SWERVED TO AVOID MY CAR STALLED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND CAN ONLY GUESS THAT THE WIN MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE WIN MODULE FOR 2010, BUT NOT FOR 2009. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10524463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10526135 · 2013-07-22 (July 22, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10526135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10352967 · 2010-08-31 (August 31, 2010)
I HAVE HAD MY VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IN THAT TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 6K MILES AND IT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. THERE WAS EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK, FIRST THEY DIDN'T HAVE A TECH QUALIFIED TO FIX IT SO THEY HAD TO WAIT ON AN OUT OF STATE TECH TO COME IN. PARTS WERE BACKORDERED AND WHEN THEY CAME IN THE "FIX" DIDN'T WORK SO THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW AT 15K MILES I STARTED HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR POWER FOLDIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10352967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870513 · 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT START PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WILL START FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS AND THEN NOT START SEVERAL TIMES. IF YOU WAIT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME OR PLAY WITH THE FUSE BOX, OR TRY DIFFERENT WAYS TO START THE VEHICLE IT WILL START. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND HAD ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND HAVE BEEPING NOISES FOR NO REASON. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED AND NO ERRORS ARE ON THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THE ENTIRE TIPM UNIT(FUSE BOX/ELECTRICAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10870513 at NHTSA ↗