2009 Volkswagen Routan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 7 Routan years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2009 Volkswagen Routan has 294 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 7 Routan model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is electrical system (153 complaints, 52% of the total). Complaints report 6 crashes, 3 fires, and 12 injuries.
- Complaints
- 294
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 24 hwy
Top 2009 Volkswagen Routan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System153 (52%)
- Engine88 (30%)
- Brakes69 (23%)
- Steering34 (12%)
- Structure & Body24 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (6%)
- Other15 (5%)
- Airbags7 (2%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
2009 Volkswagen Routan recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V083000Feb 11, 2016Airbags1,037 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- NHTSA 15V194000Apr 1, 2015Electrical System20,676 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:switch
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.
Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H1. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 11V151 and 14V396. Vehicles that previously received an ignition switch trim ring as a recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign. Vehicles that have already received a new ignition switch are not covered by this campaign.
- NHTSA 14V396000Jul 1, 2014Electrical System18,526 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will modify the ignition switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1- 800-822-8987. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 29, 2014. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28G1/U8. Note: This campaign is an expansion of NHTSA Recall No. 11V-151.
2009 Volkswagen Routan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,425
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Routan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Volkswagen Routan ranks worst among Routan model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 294 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (153 complaints), engine (88 complaints), and brakes (69 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 65,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, most recently reported 2016, covering airbags, electrical system, suspension, wheels & tires, and other.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?
- EPA rates the 2009 Volkswagen Routan at 19 MPG combined (16.5 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,425. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.