Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system151
- Engine78
- Service brakes38
- Steering34
- Power train20
- Structure18
- Service brakes, hydraulic15
- Unknown or other15
- Wheels12
- Electronic stability control (esc)12
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 5 2009 Routan vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2009 Volkswagen Routan failed the safety check 2.81% of the time — 11% more often than the average 2009 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 132,841 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 11.8 L/100 km (about 20 mpg US), CO₂ 271 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routan · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 13.7 | 9.4 | 11.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan.
| 2016059 5 Feb 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, a defect in the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) system could result in inadvertent airbag / seatbelt pretensioner deployment, or prevent a… |
| 2014266 2 Jul 2014 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the Wireless Ignition Node (a.k.a ignition switch) may allow the ignition key to inadvertently move from the ON position to the accessory (… |
| 2014031 3 Feb 2014 | Structure On certain vehicles modified for wheelchair accessibility by the Liberty Motor Company Inc., the rear axle may fracture due to a combination of corrosion damage… |
| 2010191 8 Jun 2010 | Other On certain vehicles equipped with power sliding doors, the sliding door wiring harness may have been routed improperly and chafe on the lower sliding door hinge… |
| 2009208 10 Jul 2009 | Other The owner's manual for certain vehicles was printed without the CMVSS 208 required information explaining that no objects should be placed over or near the airb… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010011 | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available |
| 11008861 | Fluid requirements |
| 11008846 | Wind & Water Leak Checking |
| 10253483 | Engine Exhaust Flap Limited Warranty Extension |
| 10253439 | Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program ? Gasoline Engines (Except Routan) - REVISED |
| 10253177 | Satellite Radio Overview |
| 10252942 | Damage to Data Link Connector (DLC) from Aftermarket Devices (Cannot Communicate with Vehicle OBD System) |
| 10252940 | Cluster Warning Lights Coming On, Windshield Wipers Will Not Turn Off, and/or Headlights Will Not Shut Off |
| 10252937 | Vehicles equipped with Immobilizer 4 (Download) ? Adapting Keys after Vehicle Lock Set Replacement |
| 10252900 | GPS Antenna Concerns |
| 10252225 | Vehicles Equipped with Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone ? Pairing of Android Phones |
| 10252220 | All Vehicles with Bluetooth Phone Kit Installed ? Streaming Audio from Phone to Radio |
| 10250695 | Carefree Maintenance Coverage for Interim Oil Changes for Certain 2009 ? 2015 MY Volkswagen TDI Clean Diesel Engine Vehicles Registered in the State of Minnesota Only (US Dealers |
| 10250686 | Section 3.30.2 Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Policy Modifications |
| 10249138 | Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement. |
| 10249067 | RNA1 Code in Elsa for 2009 MY Routan Affected by Safety Recall 28G1 WIN Module (Ignition Switch) |
| 10245617 | Reporting procedure for A/C compressor replacement regardless of the reason for failure. Update to model year applicability and new warranty GFF labor operation number |
| 10244072 | Rattling Noises from Engine Compartment Area or Exhaust System |
| 10244069 | Third Row Seating |
| 10244045 | Volkswagen Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243065 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243052 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243047 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243044 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243039 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)