What years of the Volkswagen Routan should I avoid?

The 2009 and 2010 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, driven mainly by electrical system problems and multiple recalls.

Which Volkswagen Routan year is best?

The 2013 Routan is the only year rated Good, with 7 total complaints and a complaint index of 33.

Does the Volkswagen Routan have a recall for electrical or ignition problems?

Yes. NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2009 Routan and two for the 2010 Routan, several covering ignition switch and key fob defects tied to the electrical system, which is the top problem area across all years at 59% of complaints.

Are the 2011 and 2012 Routan years safe to buy?

They are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 67 and 50, lower than 2009 and 2010 but still above the 2013 Good year.

What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Routan?

Electrical system issues are the top complaint area across all years, accounting for 460 of 784 total complaints, or 59%.

Volkswagen Routan Best and Worst Years (2008–2014)

Avoid the 2009 and 2010 Volkswagen Routan, which have complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and multiple electrical system recalls. The 2013 Routan is the only Good year, with just 7 complaints and a complaint index of 33.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2009 Avoid 2010

Model years: 7; 2008–2014
NHTSA complaints: 784
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 16
Fires reported: 8
Top problem area: Electrical System

Routan Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volkswagen Routan problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	No verdict	17	3	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2009	Avoid	100	294	6	3	6	Electrical System	19	—
2010	Avoid	83	240	5	3	2	Electrical System	19	—
2011	Caution	67	175	4	2	0	Electrical System	20	—
2012	Caution	50	63	1	0	1	Electrical System	20	—
2013	Good	33	7	0	0	0	Engine	20	—
2014	No verdict	0	2	0	0	0	Electrical System	20	—

Routan years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Volkswagen Routan Index 100 · 294 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2009 Routan has the highest complaint index (100) of any model year and ranks worst overall. Electrical system problems make up 52% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,000. Owners reported ignition switches shutting off while driving, sliding door fires, and warped brake rotors that recurred after replacement. NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for this year, covering airbag control units and ignition switch/key fob defects. Engine complaints (30% of total) had a median mileage of 68,500.

2009 electrical system problems →2009 engine problems →2009 brakes problems →

2010 Volkswagen Routan Index 83 · 240 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2010 Routan ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83. Electrical system issues account for 63% of its complaints, the highest share of any Routan year, with a median failure mileage of 79,650. Owners described engines shutting off unexpectedly at low and highway speeds, sometimes leading to crashes, along with recurring warped brake rotors. Two recall campaigns apply to this year, both tied to the ignition/key module. Engine complaints carried a median mileage of 70,000.

2010 electrical system problems →2010 engine problems →2010 brakes problems →

Most common Volkswagen Routan problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System460 (59%)
Engine226 (29%)
Brakes139 (18%)
Steering76 (10%)
Transmission & Powertrain70 (9%)
Fuel System61 (8%)
Other60 (8%)
Structure & Body50 (6%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (4%)
Airbags23 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Volkswagen Routan should I avoid?: The 2009 and 2010 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, driven mainly by electrical system problems and multiple recalls.
Which Volkswagen Routan year is best?: The 2013 Routan is the only year rated Good, with 7 total complaints and a complaint index of 33.
Does the Volkswagen Routan have a recall for electrical or ignition problems?: Yes. NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2009 Routan and two for the 2010 Routan, several covering ignition switch and key fob defects tied to the electrical system, which is the top problem area across all years at 59% of complaints.
Are the 2011 and 2012 Routan years safe to buy?: They are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 67 and 50, lower than 2009 and 2010 but still above the 2013 Good year.
What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Routan?: Electrical system issues are the top complaint area across all years, accounting for 460 of 784 total complaints, or 59%.