2009 Volkswagen Routan: won't start

Filed Oct 12, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 129,000 miles · IL

I just purchased the 2009 volkswagen routan. I have had it 3 weeks it randomly died when test driving the van and all the alarms and lights came on. We just thought I didn't have the fob in right. Then it started to randomly not start, even the remote start will not work. The lights, radio, alarm, windows and door locks work like they normally should. Usually if I wait like 20 minutes and keep trying the key (taking it out of the ignition and reinserting it) until it starts. The check engine light came on for 7 days. Thursday 10/10/2019 nothing worked let it sit overnight and still nothing tried to jump it and it finally started. Took to place I purchased jd byrider in janesville, wi and they believe it was the starter because it was not turning and it was replaced on 10/11/2019. Then 2 hours later the car again would not start again. The dealer came to rescue me and we tried the actual key and at first it didn't work, we pushed the gas and it as as the gas pedal got stuck for about 30 seconds but started. Then driving down route 26 from johnson creek, wi to janesville, wi, it was making squeaking noises from the engine. We could hear it through the heating vents. Then the tire pressure warning light came on and it kept dinging. When I got to janesville, I checked the tire pressure on all the tires and it was fine. Because I live in rockford, il, I drove down i90 and the car at times started shaking like it was going died. Again, today it won't start not even with an actual key. Also, the driver side passenger door lock is not working and had to have a part ordered. The vehicle has 129,000 miles.

Filed Nov 28, 2018 · Electrical · PA

For several months in 2018 our 2009 volkswagen routan would not start, windows would not work correctly, etc. On november 10th, 2018, our 2009 volkswagen routan was stationary and would not start at all. Called a tow truck to have it taken to the nearest dealership. Tow truck driver messed with the vehicle and was able to start it and we drove it to the dealership. The dealership received our vehicle on 11/10/18. The dealership notified us that there is an open recall on the "win module" and they would contact volkswagen for the replacement parts. The dealership did not receive the part until 11/15/18 and the part was used/programmed for a different vehicle therefore it was unable to be installed in our vehicle. The dealership then provided us with a loaner vehicle and contacted volkswagen for yet another unused part. It is now 11/28/18 and we still do not have our vehicle. The part was received and installed however the vehicle's battery will no longer hold a charge. The dealership wants to put a new battery in the vehicle and we will have to pay $150.00 for the battery and installation. We never received notice of this recall. My husband lost 2 days of pay. We had to rely on 3 different people to get my husband to and from work. I am disabled and had surgery on 10/23/18 and unable to get to physical therapy let alone leave the house for a week because the dealership didn't have any available loaner vehicles until 11/15/18. This has been a danger to my family/children and a great inconvenience. Today 11/28/18 I am calling the actual volkswagen customer service to report their negligence and the grief/expense they have caused my family. We purchased this vehicle because of volkswagens reliability standards but we will now never purchase from their company again. As of today 11/28/18 we still do not have our vehicle returned!

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Electrical · 12 miles · NC

The car does not start after a stop. It takes hours before it restarts. Replaced battery, starter still same issue. Many other vw routan owners have the same issue. The car has power but something is messed up in this car.

Filed Sep 1, 2017 · Engine · CO

Vehicle won't start. This is not the first time and I have filled previous incident reports. It left me stranded again today after I picked up medicine for a child at home recovering from surgery. This vehicle is unreliable and therefore the situation is unacceptable. Our mechanic has run diagnostics and can find nothing wrong. We took a leap of faith and had a new starter installed, this was not the problem. I would buy another car, but right now this is not an option for us. We need help!

Filed Jul 12, 2017 · Engine · 158,687 miles · CO

Our routan has, yet again, left me stranded. I was running errands with two of my children and the vehicle would not start. This is not an isolated incident for me or, it would appear from research I've done, for this make and model. Our mechanic has run diagnostics and can not find anything wrong. It is a safety concern because it is unreliable and leaves me stranded, twice late at night, several times, fortunately, in front of my own home and this needs to be addressed.

Filed Jun 23, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · IA

Engine will not start. Happens on occasion but happened enough that I had two starters installed as well as a battery. What else could it be? Can turn the key and nothing happens. I can possibly sit there and turn the ignition 10+ times and still nothing. Thought it could be a bad spot in the new starter?? Cleaned battery posts often and now have treated the connections. Would like not to receive another call from lovely wife that the van would not start. Has to be something with a circuit staying open or something. Safety issue due to not knowing if your car is going to start when you arrive to a destination. Issue has been going on for 2+ years and van has 100k miles last instance of issue: 23 june 2017

Filed Nov 7, 2016 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · AZ

The car won't start intermittently. When you turn the key it just clicks. The starter is not engaged or the flywheel doesn't turn. Took it to the dealer said it was faulty tipm module needed to be replaced not covered by warranty. Google tipm routan/ chrysler / dodge / jeep and you will see this is a huge problem. Not sure why the government won't force chrysler / volkswagen (chrysler manufactured the routan for volkswagen) to recall them affected vehicles. This not covered by warranty and its a $1200 to replace. Completely ridiculous if this is such a widespread problem.

Filed Aug 21, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 65,000 miles · VA

*sometimes the vehicle will not start for no apparent reason.vw service dept. Cannot detect an issue. *engine light comes on intermittently while driving-vw cannot detect anything wrong.* alarms go off but no signal showing on the dashboard.*power windows and seats work intermittently- *found vehicle's sliding door wide open I parking lot, twice. * have also found windows open. Our lift gate (trunk) opened while driving on the highway.* vehicle failed to shift,while driving, revved and would not reset until pulling over and turning off the vehicle. Though vw could not find faulty readings and didn't believe tipm is the issue because they couldn't read it. Being familiar with programming, I know that glitches can cause faulty readings.if there is a glitch before the reading can be processed by the computer, there will be no faulty reading logged. A pc won't save a file, either if the power supply is interrupted before it can do so..tipm malfunctions can also cause all other issues I have experienced. Upon getting a second opinion from transmission specialists, they said only the solenoid was faulty. They also confirmed that a faulty tipm box will cause solenoid issues and eventually ruin the new one, too. *recently, all locks stopped working & the vehicle can only be opened & locked manually. At the same time all interior lights were on and had to be turned off at the dashboard- this would have drained the battery had it happened on a work day. Vw has had the vehicle for 2 full days and yet doesn't know what's wrong with it. We have had these issues and useless repairs for over 2 years. All issues point to faulty tipm (manufactured by chrysler, who had to settle in a lawsuit about the tipm box/ faulty relay issue for jeep, dodge, and chrysler). We need help with these issues. Too many of us have it 2011 and 2012 models as well. Please help.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Driver assistance · TX

Van will not start unless we put it on neutral. Now we are having problems even if we put it on neutral. Possible neutral safety switch gone bad.

Filed May 24, 2016 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · FL

The vehicle does not start periodically. The vehicle will start for 2 to 3 weeks and then not start several times. If you wait for a period of time or play with the fuse box, or try different ways to start the vehicle it will start. This is an electrical problem. I have been driving and had all the dashboard lights illuminate and have beeping noises for no reason. No warning lights are illuminated and no errors are on the computer. The vehicle has a new battery and alternator. I have read online the entire tipm unit(fuse box/electrical system control unit) is defective and needs to be replaced along with the starter and fuel pump relays, which is well over $1000 worth of work, but I have not had it completed yet. Others have complained about the vehicle turning off while driving, which fortunately has not happened to me yet. The vehicle has a dvd system that worked and does not work now. This should have been a recall item a long time ago, since I understand volkswagen is well aware of the issue.

Filed Jan 22, 2016 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · GA

I bought a certified pre-owned 2009 routan. After about a year, the car randomly will not start, it just clicks but will not start. Replaced battery. Still - car will not start. This has been going on for 3 years. Had starter & alternator checked - both good. Had the ignition recall done and problem resolved itself for about 3 months - now it started doing this again - randomly will not start. Hubby moved a wire under the hood and magically the car started. Got home and van will not start! After spending $5,200 on a new transmission - I hate to put any more $$ into this van. Has anyone found a fix for this problem - I've seen many have this same issue. Talked to a lady at vw repair shop who has been in excess of $3,000 trying to fix this exact same problem. Still keeps happening. Help!

Filed Nov 5, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · CA

Had the win module replaced for the electrical system ignition switch recall. Now the car will make sudden stops and shut down. Car then will not start up unless the battery is unhooked and hooked back up. Dealer wants to charge 350.00 to do a diagnostic test to determine the cause.