NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Volkswagen Routan Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Volkswagen Routan has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 294 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 Volkswagen Routan owner complaints

Owners have filed 294 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, describing incidents dated March 18, 2009 to July 17, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 151 complaints
Engine 83 complaints
Service Brakes 55 complaints
Steering 34 complaints
Power Train 20 complaints
Structure 18 complaints

Of the 294 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 294 complaints, owners report 12 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11759820 · Filed August 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not available. The local dealer was contacted to schedule the recall repair, but the part remained unavailable…
ODI #11596563 · Filed June 25, 2024
The contact owned a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact suffered a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi-truck. In addition, the contact's vehicle crashed into a ditch. The contact…
ODI #11595982 · Filed June 23, 2024
Volkswagen dealership does not want to fulfill the recall.

Read all 294 complaints

Owner-reported

2009 Volkswagen Routan mileage at failure

244 of the 294 complaints on file for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Electrical System	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 55,000–100,000 miles	Based on 116 complaints
Engine	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–90,000 miles	Based on 77 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 45,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–75,000 miles	Based on 48 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Air Bag Control Unit Power Supply Corrosion

NHTSA #16V083000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported February 11, 2016 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,037 vehicles

Repair completion: 34.14% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 12, 2016 · Vehicles built February 7, 2008 – August 28, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #15V194000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2015 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 20,676 vehicles

Repair completion: 59.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volkswagen campaign 28H1 · Owners notified June 23, 2015 · Vehicles built June 25, 2008 – July 8, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V396000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 2014 · Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 18,526 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign 28G1/U8 · Vehicles built starting June 1, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Rear Axle may Fracture

NHTSA #14V055000 · Suspension — Rear — Axle — Non-Powered Axle Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported February 11, 2014 · Freedom Motors, Inc.

Potentially affected: 130 vehicles

Repair completion: 31.54% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign ENGF0216-3 · Owners notified April 1, 2014

Defect description

Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.

Safety consequence

Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

POWER SLIDING DOOR WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #10V252000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported June 10, 2010 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 15,902 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign 97S8/T7 · Owners notified October 15, 2010 · Vehicles built June 1, 2008 – July 30, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2008 THROUGH JULY 2009. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPER ROUTED WIRE HARNESS THAT MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE LOWER SLIDING DOOR HINGE BRACKET CAN MAKE CONTACT AND WEAR THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION. CONTACT WITH A 12V POWER FEED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE HARNESS MAY CAUSE A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE LATCH MECHANISM LOCATED INSIDE OF THE SLIDING DOOR.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED LATCH AND A FIRE WITHIN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE SLIDING DOOR WIRE TRACK WIRE ASSEMBLY AND THE SLIDING DOOR POWER DRIVE UNIT WIRE ASSEMBLY FOR DAMAGE, REPAIR/REPLACE AS NECESSARY, TIE STRAP THE TWO HARNESSES TOGETHER AND ROUTE THE HARNESSES UNDER THE SLIDING DOOR WEATHER STRIP. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN SAFETY RECALL NO. 97S8/T7.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

MISSING INFORMATION ON OWNERS MANUAL

NHTSA #09V244000 · Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 2009 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 18,500 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign S6 · Owners notified July 31, 2009 · Vehicles built June 26, 2008 – April 24, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 18,500 MY 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS PRINTED WITHOUT THE FMVSS NO. 208 REQUIRED INFORMATION EXPLAINING THAT NO OBJECTS SHOULD BE PLACED OVER THE OR NEAR THE AIR BAG ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Safety consequence

ANY SUCH OBJECTS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL SEND AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE REQUIRED AIR BAG INFORMATION FOR OWNER INSTALLATION OR DEALERS WILL INSTALL IN THE EVENT THE OWNER PREFERS ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. S6.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2009 Volkswagen Routan w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

294 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan.

Electrical System

ODI #11759820

Incident: July 17, 2026 · Filed: August 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not available. The local dealer was contacted to schedule the recall repair, but the part remained unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Air Bags

ODI #11596563

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 8, 2024 · Filed: June 25, 2024

The contact owned a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact suffered a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi-truck. In addition, the contact's vehicle crashed into a ditch. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The paramedics and the Police arrived on the scene. A Police report was filed, however thePolice report information was unavailable. The contact sustained eight broken ribs on the left side and two broken ribs on the right side, injury to the left eye which needed stitches, major trauma to the left lung and bruises and cuts. The contact was taken to the local hospital by ambulance. The vehicle was condemned a total loss. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Electrical System

ODI #11595982

Incident: June 23, 2024 · Filed: June 23, 2024

Volkswagen dealership does not want to fulfill the recall.

Electrical System

ODI #11535458

Incident: July 24, 2023 · Filed: July 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical System

ODI #11527937

Incident: June 20, 2023 · Filed: June 20, 2023

While driving the vehicle flashed several of the dashboard waring lights, starting dinging and then stopped, started flashing and dinging again then the vehicle completely turned off. I was able to pull over out of traffic but the vehicle would not restart. None of the interior lights would come one and the emergency lights would not come on. I could not unlock any of the doors. The battery has been replaced with in the last year and is working correctly.

Electrical System

ODI #11509291

Incident: February 1, 2023 · Filed: February 27, 2023

the car shuts off while driving which is scary. requires restarting while in traffic. there was a recall in past and the fix clearly did not work. This incident has occurred multiple times.

Electrical System

ODI #11468194

Incident: May 23, 2022 · Filed: June 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V194000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect

Electrical System; Seats; Visibility/Wiper

ODI #11464597

Incident: May 12, 2022 · Filed: May 13, 2022

After getting wires regrounded at the mechanic, the car continues to malfunction. The wiper blades turn on, the entire dash blinks, the seat moves back and forth, resetting repeatedly. If seat is disconnected for safety, the seatbelt does not register as secured. Eventually doors stop functioning, have completely lost lock function, tried replacing battery and sending to mechanic specialist. Still the car malfunctions at random.

Electrical System

ODI #11442749

Incident: December 5, 2021 · Filed: December 5, 2021

My vehicle shows no pending recalls, but ignition switch still malfunctioning whenever it is bumped or a lanyard is on the key. Brakes malfunction, car seat moves, windshield wipers move, car seems to think it is resetting as original recall states is a problem.

Engine

ODI #11440823

Incident: November 16, 2021 · Filed: November 17, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while at a stoplight, the vehicle stalled. There was an abnormally high pitch noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started by the police and was restarted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Other Volkswagen Routan model years

Check your 2009 Volkswagen Routan VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Routan at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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