The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification for the federal safety agency 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.
The worst 2009 Volkswagen Routan problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical151
- Engine83
- Brakes56
- Steering34
- Transmission20
- Body18
- Driver assistance13
- Wheels12
- Acceleration8
- Airbags7
- Tires7
- Lights6
- Locks6
- Seats6
- Fuel system5
- Suspension4
- Visibility4
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan
Stalling 61Won't start 20Loss of power 19Power steering loss 16Check engine light 13Wipers 13Door locks 12ABS 8Engine failure 8Warning lights 7Headlights 6Grinding brakes 5Jerking 5Steering lock-up 5
Recalls 6
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 16V083000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 15V194000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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 the federal safety agency Recall No. 11V‑151.
Recall number 14V396000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 14V055000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This could result in an overheated latch and a fire within the rear sliding door could occur.
- 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.
Recall number 10V252000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 09V244000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan 356
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- What is and what is not a leaking suspension strut.
- Fuel Additive
- How to identify and when to replace a leaking strut
- Identifying and Mixing Engine Coolant
- Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available
- Fluid requirements
- Wind & Water Leak Checking
2009 Volkswagen Routan fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 25 | 20 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 23 | 18 |
What 2009 Volkswagen Routan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Volkswagen dealership does not want to fulfill the recall.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 2009 Volkswagen Routan
Other model years
Questions about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan
Is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan reliable?
Owners have filed 294 complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, 4.7 times a typical Routan model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan year score?
The 2009 Volkswagen Routan scores 15 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Routan: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?
Electrical system, with 151 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles. Next is engine (83).
How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan have?
6 recalls, covering air bags, electrical system and suspension.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan electrical?
Yes, 3 recalls: 15V194000, 14V396000, 10V252000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Routan have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen Routan model years with the most electrical complaints are 2009 (151 complaints), 2010 (150 complaints) and 2011 (111 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan get?
Official estimates for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 25 highway.
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