Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system39
- Engine21
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Steering8
- Unknown or other7
- Power train7
- Service brakes7
- Air bags6
- Vehicle speed control3
- Exterior lighting2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 7 2012 Routan vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 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 2012 Volkswagen Routan failed the safety check 2.53% of the time — 1% more often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 125,780 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Volkswagen Routan VAN FWD | — | 16.4 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
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
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ROUTAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.
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 2012 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 |
| 10253186 | RHR Navigation Map Enhancements |
| 10253177 | Satellite Radio Overview |
| 10252942 | Damage to Data Link Connector (DLC) from Aftermarket Devices (Cannot Communicate with Vehicle OBD System) |
| 10252941 | Washer Level Sensor |
| 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 |
| 10252922 | Washer Level Sensor |
| 10252918 | Turn Signals Will Not Activate after TIPM Replacement |
| 10252908 | iPod Connection Tip |
| 10252902 | Bluetooth Compatibility |
| 10252900 | GPS Antenna Concerns |
| 10252225 | Vehicles Equipped with Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone ? Pairing of Android Phones |
| 10252224 | RNS 315 Navigation ? Bluetooth Module Location |
| 10252221 | All Navigation Radios-All Models |
| 10252220 | All Vehicles with Bluetooth Phone Kit Installed ? Streaming Audio from Phone to Radio |
| 10252208 | AC Compressor Replacement, Refrigerant Circuit Flushing Requirement |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 10244075 | Front Brake Judder And / Or Vibration |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)