2009 Volkswagen Routan Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Volkswagen Routan ranks worst among all seven model years, with 294 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest of any Routan year. It carries 6 recalls, led by electrical system issues affecting over half of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 Routan years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 294
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16.5 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2009 Volkswagen Routan problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report electrical fires starting near the rear sliding door, sometimes filling the cabin with smoke while driving.
- Some describe a burning odor followed by loss of the instrument panel, headlights, and radio.
- Multiple owners say the transmission slipped into reverse or rolled unexpectedly after being placed in park.
- Brake rotors reportedly warped after very low mileage and warped again after replacement with the same part.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in crashes at highway speeds, including rear-end collisions.
- One owner reported a power seat mechanism in the third row that activated unexpectedly and injured a child.
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 reliable?
- Among Routan model years, 2009 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Routan?
- Electrical system issues make up 52% of complaints, including reports of fires near the sliding door and dashboard, followed by engine problems (30%) and brakes (23%).
- Does the 2009 Routan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2009 Routan, covering airbags, ignition switch and key fob wiring, a wire harness for the sliding door, an axle issue, and an owner's manual printing error. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2009 Routan problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 65,000 miles, though electrical system failures show a median of 73,000 miles and brake issues around 57,820 miles.
- How does the 2009 Routan compare to other years?
- The 2009 model has a complaint index of 100 and ranks worst of all seven years with data, while 2013 scores best with an index of 33 and a Good verdict.