2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
63 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
76,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 39 of 63 complaints (61.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 15 | 23.8% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 22.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 19.0% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 12.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 9.5% |
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 | 39 |
| Engine | 21 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
Electrical System: 39; Engine: 21; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Steering: 8; Power Train: 7; Service Brakes: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Air Bags: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 4; 2017: 7; 2018: 12; 2019: 12; 2020: 8; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 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 10875632 · 2016-06-21 (June 21, 2016)
ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START WHILE PARKED. OFTEN THE CAR WILL INITIALLY START BUT THEN STALL AS THE RPS DECREASE TO IDLE. AFTER THAT, THE CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL AFTER 20-30 ATTEMPTS IF LUCKY. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2016 (MILAGE 44,574) I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. (ROSEVILLE , CA). THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. PROBLEM CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. ON JUNE 16, 2016 (MILAGE 46,615) TOOK BACK TO SAME SERVICE DEPT. WHO NOW SAYS THERE IS A BAD TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM)…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,615 miles reported. Look up ODI 10875632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10898509 · 2016-08-25 (August 25, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURN THE STARTER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10898509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510832 · 2013-05-06 (May 6, 2013)
MY HUSBAND WAS AT A LIGHT AND PRESSED THE GAS TO GO, WHEN HE NOTICED THAT HE ENTIRE VEHICLE HAD TURNED OFF. STEERING, BRAKES, AND ALL ELECTRICAL. IT TOOK HIM A WHILE TO REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING, BUT THEN HE TRIED TURNING THE VAN OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. HE THOUGHT IT A FREAK OCCURRENCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,735 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510839 · 2013-05-06 (May 6, 2013)
10,000 MILES, FULL WARRANTY, BOUGHT NEW LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, THE VAN LOST ALL POWER MID-DRIVE. BRAKES, STEERING, EVERYTHING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THANKFULLY IT WAS LATE AND MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. IT WAS ONE OF THE SCARIEST EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, BUT NOT AT THAT SPEED, AND WE'D ASSUMED IT AN ANOMALY. WE WERE HEADING OUT OF TOWN, BUT CONCERNED FOR SAFETY WE TURNED AROUND. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11041088 · 2017-10-30 (October 30, 2017)
TAKATA RECALL. HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING VAN ON FIRST TRY. VAN WILL STALL A FEW TIMES BEFORE STARTING. SOMETIMES THE BATTERY IS DRAIN. BATTERY HAS BEEN TESTED=GOOD! THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 3 MONTHS. I AFTER READING AND RESEARCHING I COME TO A CONCLUSION THAT IT IS THE TIPM FUEL RELAY!
Owner-reported narrative. 60,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11041088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577107 · 2014-04-03 (April 3, 2014)
WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE NEW CAR HAS BEING PROBLEM SHIFTING GEARS AND HAVE BEEN TAKING IT TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES JUST TO BE TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT SEE ANY PROBLEMS. MAY 2013 WE HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL MENTIONING HARSH 1-3 UP SHIFTS AND ERROR IN THE TORQUE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, WHICH WILL APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE CLUTCH. WE TOOK IT IN AND WERE TOLD THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER YET. AT SOME POINT THEY AGREED TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE, HOWEVER THAT MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. THE CAR IS NOT MOVING AND WHEN WE GIVE MORE GAS IT WILL ACCELERA…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052565 · 2017-12-05 (December 5, 2017)
I FILE A COMPLAINT A FEWS MONTHS AGO ABOUT HAVE TROUBLES STARTING MY VAN OR BATTERY DRAINAGE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SHREVEPORT, LA. THE HAD TO REPLACE THE MODULE (TIPM)FUEL PUMP.THIS COST MY FAMILY 1700! THIS IS A SERVE SAFTY PROBLEM FOR MANY FAMILIES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL VW AND CHRYSLER VEHICLES. THE VW DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WASNT THE FIRST ROUTAN THEY HAD TO FIX WITH SAME ISSSUE. THIS SHOULD BE AN ISSUE VW SHOULD COVER. COMPLAINT #11061088
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11052565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11155589 · 2018-12-03 (December 3, 2018)
I WAS IN A PARKING LOT VAN WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD TURN OVER AN CRANK AGAIN AND AGAIN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN. TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO START IT BY REMOVING PUSH START AND USING KEY FOB, BUT HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT STARTED AGAIN UNLOADING AT VW DEALERSHIP. THE VW DEALER FIST SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, THEN SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY IN THE TIPM WAS BAD AND WAS BURNING OUT THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY IS INTEGRATED INTO THE TIPM AND CAN'T BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING TIPM. THE TIPM NOT COVERED U…
Owner-reported narrative. 116,063 miles reported. Look up ODI 11155589 at NHTSA ↗