YearToAvoid

2011 Volkswagen Routan Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 57 engine complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Routan, 33% of all 175 complaints for the year. Owners report stalling, sudden acceleration, and no-start conditions, with a median failure mileage of 68,500 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
57
33% of 175
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
68,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or dies suddenly while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with dashboard warning lights and loss of power steering.
  • Vehicle hesitates or jerks before stalling, occurring repeatedly and often undiagnosed by dealers.
  • Engine cranks extensively or dies right after starting, sometimes tied to failed electrical modules.
  • Throttle sticks and causes unintended acceleration before releasing after several attempts.
  • Engine emits squeaking noises when stopping combined with intermittent jerking.
  • Engine shuts off during low-speed maneuvers, sometimes triggering diagnostic trouble codes tied to specific cylinders.

When 2011 Volkswagen Routan engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 13, 2011, latest Feb 17, 2025.

2011 Volkswagen Routan engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2011Aug 2014Oct 2016Sep 2017Aug 2018Oct 2019Jul 2021
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2011 to Feb 2025; peak Sep 2017 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Volkswagen Routan

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Routan model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20080 (0%)
  2. 200988 (30%)
  3. 201056 (23%)
  4. 201157 (33%)
  5. 201222 (35%)
  6. 20133 (43%)
  7. 20140 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2011 VW Routan have?
NHTSA lists 57 engine complaints for the 2011 Routan, which is 33% of the 175 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 VW Routan engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints reported on the 2011 Routan.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2011 Routan?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2011 Routan is 68,500 miles.
What kind of engine problems do owners report on the 2011 Routan?
Owners describe sudden stalling, hesitation before stalling, throttle sticking, and difficulty starting or restarting the engine, based on NHTSA complaint narratives.
Did the engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this engine problem area for the 2011 Routan shows 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.