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Volkswagen Routan key fob problems

26 of the 784 owner complaints about the Volkswagen Routan describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2010 model year.

owner complaints
26
worst model year
2010
typical mileage
85,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 21, 2022 · Electrical · PA

While driving the car the car shut off causing an issue with the steering and brakes. This is the second time this has happened. in trying to duplicate the issue, with the car in park and running we were able to duplicate it by wiggling the key fob while it is in the switch. We were able to do this 3x. We search out a recall notice for our year, make and model related to this issue. When we called our VW dealer we were informed that our vehicle does not have any open recalls. We contacted VW customer service and we were told the same. Our particular VIN was built in the middle of recalls related to this exact issue and no previous repairs were done. The customer service Rep could not see a reason why ours is not covered but that they go strictly by the VIN. Our vehicle was built 03/2010 and the recall numbers we are reading are 15V194000 and 11V151000. We are experiencing the same issue and our vehicle was built within the recall period so I want to understand why ours is not part of the recall for this issue.

Filed Aug 13, 2022 · Electrical · NY

Car shuts off while driving, ignition key fob issue recall. Tipm system recall.

Filed Nov 2, 2021 · Airbags, Brakes · IL

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.

Filed Jan 26, 2021 · Electrical · 109,670 miles · SC

The 2010 volkswagen routan will randomly shutoff. The vehicle has shutoff with and without auto-start and while parked and while in gear moving. There is no indication of a problem. During a failure, the keyfob is in the on position and the drivers electrical display goes blank with no indicators. To restart, the keyfob is rotated back to the off position and then to start. The vehicle will operate normally until the next failure which could be minutes, hours, days.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 175,000 miles · OH

Vehicle has experienced stalling, engine shutdown, and difficulty starting multiple times. Engine has now stalled more frequently at both low speeds and while driving on highway. Each time, RPM's have gone to zero and it's completely lost power to steering. I've had try and coast/navigate safely to side of road, berm, etc., stop, and restart the van. At times the dash lights will flash, other times there is no indication that a failure had occurred, just no power/rpms. No check engine light remains, no codes displayed, nothing. The local volkswagen dealer will not even address the issue as they deem it a "chrysler problem". We now take it to an independent mechanic and replaced the crankshaft & camshaft position sensors, key fobs, battery, and have done all preventative maintenance. The problem still remains. There are similar complaints (vw, chrysler, & dodge) for this exact engine & symptoms that may be related to the tipm, the main control module. This is a very serious safety issue as it random and causes a complete shutdown of vehicle while in motion and loss of operator control.

Filed Sep 11, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 132,000 miles · IN

I was driving home from work approx. 30-35 miles per hour and my van died. I lost power steering and brakes. Luckily I wasn't seriously injured. There was no warning. No service engine light. Within a span of less than 2 years ive already replaced the fuel pump, the battery, and the alternator is still new and under warranty. The ignition/power windows fuse constantly needs adjusting so I can roll my window up or down. All the dash lights come on randomly as well. Sometimes the windshield wipers would come on. Never had a vehicle die on me while driving due to manufacturers issues. After reading other consumer complaints about the same issues im very confident its the tipm. Some complain that this costs people $1 000s on a chance that you can get a couple more years out of it. The van wants to turn over and continues cranking when key fob is in ignition but doesn't turn over. I cannot get it to start at all.

Filed Nov 14, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 21,432 miles · NJ

Even after rebuilding the entire transmission, every time the vehicle is placed into reverse, there is a pause, then a jarring as it slips into r gear; but every time acceleration is attempted in r, there is a delay, followed by consistent lag; if attempting to r up an incline, if speed is not already over a specific minimum, vehicle then assumes action as if it is in n. Even an incline slope of simply backing into a driveway, if vehicle is not entirely across the incline, it's not possible to continue controlling a reverse movement, though engine responds as though in n. This has been an ongoing issue; that has persisted even after rebuilding the transmission. Another issue that began several years ago; is that the door's locking mechanisms for several of the doors, no longer operate properly. Locking via key fob, or door panel, does not actually engage the door to lock. Nor does unlocking the doors via key fob, or door panels.

Filed Nov 2, 2019 · Fuel system · GA

My car will crank but not start. After several tries if you use the key fob you can get it to start. I have the car looked at by two technicians who advised that my vehicle was made by chrysler even though it's a volkswagen and that this is a known problem with chrysler dodge vans from 2011 and 2012 the problem they tell me is with the fuel pump relay that will need to be installed

Filed Sep 11, 2019 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · RI

Started having a key fob issue around 80k miles. Ignition would not turn off correctly causing battery to drain. Spoke with vw informed me no recall. Issue escalated to the point that the key fob will randomly eject from the ignition while the car is running and in motion. Sometimes the car will lose power and have to be pulled over and restarted. Obviously this is not safe while driving down the highway.

Filed May 15, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 131,200 miles · NC

Reported issue to vw recall group via telephone 5/13/2019. This is very similar to a recall that took place for vw routan 2009-2010 that were created between the dates of october 2019 to june 2010. Our vehicle was created in august of 2010, and I suspect the same parts were still used. Two issues have occurred with 2010 vw routan sel minivan 4.0l issues started occurring after replacing a lost key fob. Key fob was ordered through local vw dealer (bob king vw) and replaced. First issue: car would not start. Put key into ignition switch, turn key, the ignition switch clicks but the car would not start. In order to start car, wait and repeat steps until car actually starts. Second issue: (highly dangerous) intermittent shut off while driving causing power steering to turn off as well as brakes. Very dangerous combination due to the fact that turning becomes very difficult as well as braking. In order to brake you have to apply great force to break since there is no power to the car. This issue has been encountered over the past two months at least four (4) times while the primary driver has been driving the vehicle. The first three times the vehicle was in motion in a residential area. The last time this issue occurred 5/13/2019 the vehicle was in motion on a major road way near an intersection. Evasive maneuvers were taken to get vehicle off of road and into a nearby parking lot off the street.

Related recalls

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported April 1, 2015 · 20,676 vehicles affected
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: ignitionReported July 1, 2014 · 18,526 vehicles affected
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

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported March 1, 2011 · 12,612 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2010 routan vehicles manufactured from october 2009 through june 2010. Some vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the run to accessory position while driving causing the engine to shut off.
Risk
An engine shutting off suddenly while driving could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.

Recall number 11V151000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiringReported June 10, 2010 · 15,902 vehicles affected
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

Questions about the Volkswagen Routan key fob

Which Volkswagen Routan years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2010 (14 complaints), 2012 (5 complaints) and 2009 (4 complaints).

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