Driver steering wheel airbag deployed while parking van at work. Nothing was hit just went off causing burns and wrist pain and swelling. Wife stated that the front windshield wipers started turning on randomly while driving to work and then airbag blew while parking.
The worst 2012 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.
- Electrical39
- Engine21
- Fuel system9
- Steering8
- Brakes7
- Transmission7
- Airbags6
- Acceleration3
- Lights2
- Seats2
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
Stalling 18Check engine light 8Fuel pump 6Key fob 5Won't start 5
Recalls 1
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012 routan vehicles, manufactured from november 15, 2011, through november 21, 2011. Some vehicles may be equipped with right rear hub and bearing assemblies that were not fully machined.
- Risk
- This could result in a decrease in durability, which may lead to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right rear hub and bearing assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 20, 2012. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 12V147000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan 506
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...
- The federal safety agency has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators...
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
- Identifying and Mixing Engine Coolant
- Multiple Emissions service action closures
- Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available
- Fluid requirements
- Wind & Water Leak Checking
- Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
2012 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 25 | 20 |
What 2012 Volkswagen Routan owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My vehicle is shutting off while driving. It randomly shuts off and I see there are other recalls associated with this issue for a different year but same vehicle/model. I am being quoted well over $2,000 in repairs. This vehicle only has 130,000 miles on it.
At first it starts off the vehicle will just shut off while you are driving which is very dangerous I have read many people complaining about this it needs to be recalled then the brakes go and then the transmission seal I have done all the maintenance up keep on my vehicle there is no reason for the vehicle did you shut off the way it keeps shutting off and dying for no reason the battery keeps dying by the next morning when nothing is left on in the vehicle it has caused me a great deal of grief and it is very scary when you have children in the car and your vehicle just shuts off on the freeway when everything is electric guess what no breaks
the federal safety agency Recall 14v396 is probably the best correction to this issue. My van has shut off mid-driving while my children are in the car with me. It is so dangerous in the road. I can't move the steering wheel. Mechanics can't seem to diagnose the problem because the van doesn't give any computer codes when it would shut down. There are similar complaints and I wonder how Volkswagen knows of this issue and has failed to inform the owners of these vehicles. Chrysler had a similar issue and did a recall. I hope Volkswagen would acknowledge this issue.
Several times in the last month the car has stopped running without warning. It just shuts off. This has happened in our subdivision travelling at 20mph and most recently on the highway travelling 65mph. The power steering, brakes, everything go dead when the car just turns off and this could cause a serious accident.
On Thursday January 6, 2022, I took my car Volkswagen Routan 2012 to the service center because the check engine light went on and the engine revving. The service center took a week for diagnostic it, then they informed me on January 13, after charging me $180 that it needs a new transmission because it stuck in limp mode (see attached report). I asked the customer service to contact Volkswagen representative because this problem seems to be a manufacture problem, especially the car run less than 85000 miles and all maintenance service done on time with Volkswagen dealership. This mileages are considered very low to have a transmission problem with well maintained car. They took another three weeks to report me by phone that Volkswagen refused completely to take care or to share responsibility for this problem and they rejected my claim. Because the claim runs by the dealership âservice centerâ on behalf of me, I asked their customer service representative to email me what is Volkswagen final decision and why? Three days later, the customer service told me by phone âitâs confidentialâ and they can not email me.
Car is stalling out while driving with no warning. Doesn't matter the rate of speed I'm going it just cuts out. Can't turn steering wheel. No codes pop up. No mechanics can pinpoint issue. I have seen quite a few thousand people complaining of the same issue and reported it to vw as well as the federal safety agency and NO ONE will do a recall. Chrysler did a recall for this same issue but NOT vw. This is a safety issue for not only the owner but other drivers on the road. If I get into an accident or cause one I WILL BE suing the federal safety agency as well as vw for no recall being done. I have printed out over 100 pages of complaints from others for evidence of complaints. I have already entered the class action lawsuit with others having the same issue. RECALL THE ISSUE OR FACE LAWSUITS.
The transmission on our 2012 VW Routan has completely failed. The car will not go into gear and left my wife in a position where she was stranded in traffic. We are the original owners of this vehicle and have followed the recommended maintenance schedule. The engine in this vehicle is a Chrysler Pentastar V6. (The vehicle was built as a joint venture between VW and Chrysler) According to online research Chrysler has recognized a “fatal flaw” in this engine and has extended warranty to customers in order to cover repairs beyond 100,000 miles. We only have 72,000 on our vehicle. I have spoken with VW North America, they told me to plead my case with Chrysler. I spoke with Chrysler and they told me to plead my case with VW. Neither company is willing to recognize that a total transmission failure at 72k miles is [their] responsibility. I am asking for the drivetrain warranty on our vehicle to be extended, due to the “fatal flaw” which has already been identified by Chrysler on the Pentastar V6. VW service is asking me to pay more than $6,000 to repair the vehicle.
The ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which then depowers various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. This has happened to me several times including while driving on the interstate and in traffic. I was able to pull over but it is very difficult when power steering and power breaking goes out. I had children in the vehicle several times when this has happened. Per Volkswagon website, I removed all keychains or anything that would cause the key fob to be weighed down. When I contacted them, they said my van is not under recall even though it is the same exact issue previous models had been recalled for. The only symptom prior was the check engine light was on.
referenced to recall nhsta Id no:11v-151 same issue happens on newer models, the car key ignition switch does not secure the key and that causes the car shut-down in tje middle of highway or road intermittently! ıt does not give any dashboard warning and no codes! all the lights are being gone and even ac shuts off! when ı push the key the lights come back on and the car can be turned on again. similiar problems are poster on youtube: https://youtu.be/ZESy-MnVPZs
Compare the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
Other model years
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Routan reliable?
Owners have filed 63 complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, close to a typical Routan model year.
What is the 2012 Volkswagen Routan year score?
The 2012 Volkswagen Routan scores 75 out of 100 (average). 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 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
Electrical system, with 39 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles. Next is engine (21).
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have?
1 recall, covering suspension.
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 2012 Volkswagen Routan get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 25 highway.
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