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2009 Volkswagen Routan: doors won't lock, open or latch

12 of the 294 complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan describe doors won't lock, open or latch.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
70,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year

  • 2010
    4
  • 2009
    12

What owners say

Filed Jul 9, 2020 · Electrical · 122,000 miles · IL

My drivers side back seat door will not close all the way and will open back up if it does not latch correctly. The engine wiring will make my cars dash lights all come on and make the wipers go off. The door only does this while stationary however, the dash lights go off while in motion on a regular street going less than 40mph

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 Jun 21, 2017 · Body, Electrical · 48,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen routan. While driving 25 MPH, the front passenger side door opened without warning. The vehicle was taken to gurley leep motorwerks (4004 grape rd, mishawaka, in 46545) where it was diagnosed that the lock switch and locking rod failed and needed to be repaired. In addition, the door latch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but later the power locks on the same door failed to work. The vehicle was taken back to gurley leep motorwerks where it was diagnosed that the cable guide wire failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2015 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · OH · 3 injuries

The electronic driver side passenger door will not latch open. The door will power open then slide back shut hitting whoever or whatever is in the way. This is an intermittent problem. The van was checked by our local dealer several times over several years. This is still an issue. This has LED to myself and children being hit by the door leaving bruises. It almost smashed my 2 year old daycare child's leg in the door but I intervened stopping the door prior to it hitting her. I have looked on the internet and found several other complaints also with no remedy from vw.

Filed Mar 31, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 73,000 miles · GA

In july 2012 I bought a certified pre-owned 2009 volkswagen routan minivan. I have reported the following major safety problems on several occasions to no resolve: loss of power' the car will completely lose power and the steering wheel locks while driving. For ex on 12/22 from 5:32p ' 10:48p, the car lost power and steering wheel locked 11 times. Sliding doors automatically open ' the doors will not close securely, won't open, or will appear closed and spontaneously reopen. There have been several times we will go out for the evening or come out for work in the morning and both doors are opened. At times, while driving, the door (particularly the driver side rear) will appear closed and secure however it will sound as if it has suddenly jumped off track and the door will crack open. We took the certified pre-owned vehicle to be serviced 8xs within the warranty time and we were told each time because the check engine light was not on to trigger a code that outline the problems there was nothing that could be done. We have suffered a great deal of personal and emotional stress as these are critical and highly dangerous highway safety concerns. I'm worried each time my family gets into the minivan and I continue to fulfill my contractual agreement of $320+ per month without fail however I have yet to receive the same from volkswagen.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 84,000 miles · TX

My wife took our 2009 vw routan minivan to a vw dealership today to repair inoperable electronic door locks and faulty headlights (separate complain filed), at which time she was informed of an ignition problem recall. The ignition part was placed on order and my wife was told the part had to be shipped from out of state and should arrive within five days. My wife asked, and was informed the vehicle was safe to operate; however, I looked up the recall when I got home from work and discovered the recall specifically states the engine can shut of during operation due to added weight from other keys or key rings on the vw key fob. According to the recall, dealership and maintenance personnel are supposed to inform customers to remove added keys from the fob. My wife had keys on her fob which the dealer mechanic had in his hand during inspections, but the mechanic never informed her of the risk, and allowed her to jeopardize her life by driving the vehicle without the required safety information.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 83,900 miles · TX

The electronic door (side panel, passenger, and driver) door locks stopped working. At about the same time our front headlights began to intermittently go out during operation of the vehicle, and then stopped working altogether. The vehicle was submitted to the dealership and customer was informed that the headlight ballast was worn out and had to be replaced. Parts were ordered and when the vehicle was taken in for said ballast replacement another mechanic stated this was not a ballast issue since the headlights appeared to turn on during ignition, but then stopped working shortly afterwards. We had to wait until the next day for a dealer electrician to look at the vehicle. The electrician determined a corroded control panel was causing a short and likely causing door the headlight, as well as other issues such as incorrect tire pressure and speed indications and possible fire. No water was introduced to the vehicle, so my question is how does a control panel corrode unless there is a faulty voltage issue and electrical design defect? The mechanic indicated the dealer gets a lot of these issues on the routan but there is no recall so they charge $900 for the replacement panel. Vw knows of this issue that their own mechanics indicate can start electrical fires! The company should be investigated.

Filed Aug 12, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 70,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volkswagen routan. The contact stated that the doors failed to unlock from the outside of the vehicle. The contact had to utilize the manual lock that was located inside the driver side door handle in order to unlock the doors. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The dealer stated that the key fob and module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 66,000 miles · CA · 2 injuries

Power sliding doors actuate on own, without warning, both open and close with no regard to humans or object in the path. Door handles chrome delamination causing severe cuts. Power third row seating motor/frame failure causing seats mounting points to be unsecured. Dealer and vw of america unwilling to correct safety issues without large financial compensation.

Filed Mar 19, 2014 · Body, Electrical · AK

Sliding door locks making very loud vibrating noise when locked and fit the description of recall 10v252000 by vw for 2009 routans made in windsor canada during the second half of 2008. Says that car could catch fire but vw saus that my VIN is not included some how.

Filed Jul 2, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 63,000 miles · VT

Where to begin with this car. All 4 valve stems needed to be replaced. I was losing pressure in my tires, and mechanic said they were corroded. Then my tiptronics did not work, also when you shifted in to gear, it didn't want to move. Had the whole shifting lever component replaced. Lots of trouble with the doors not opening right, then when closing the sensor doesn't always work. Almost had my kids get caught in the door. If the car is even on the slightest slope the door won't close. While driving down the road at 55mph the car just shut off. No power steering! Very dangerous. I had to rent a car to go on vacation, I didn't feel safe enough to drive on the interstate with it. Happened may times. They couldn't find anything wrong with it. Now I think the transmission is going. I am so frustrated with this car!

Filed Sep 5, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 22,000 miles · AZ

2009 volkswagen routan. 1) normal vehicle, 22000 miles, put away in attached garage at night. Bedrooms above garage. 2) before going to bed I checked to be sure garage door was closed. I found vehicle in garage running. 3) vehicle has remote start key. Key should only activate pushing first door lock button and then remote start button twice. Checking system I found only pushing remote start button will start the vehicle unlocked. This is a possible deadly incident as carbon monoxide would undoubtedly have killed my whole family as we slept had I not been thorough in checking the garage door. A child could push the bottom or it can be pushed inadvertently in a pocket or if something were set on it. I know this now we are safe but other people are bound to encounter this incident.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan door locks

Is doors won't lock, open or latch a common problem on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

12 of 294 owner complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan (4%) mention doors won't lock, open or latch. The model year with the most reports is 2009.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan

Stalling 61Won't start 20Loss of power 19Power steering loss 16Check engine light 13Wipers 13ABS 8Engine failure 8Warning lights 7Headlights 6Grinding brakes 5Jerking 5Steering lock-up 5

All model years of the Volkswagen Routan

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