Volkswagen Routan transmission failure problems

Filed Feb 14, 2022 · Transmission · CA

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 “service center” 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 “it’s confidential” and they can not email me.

Filed Dec 26, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · CA

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.

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · VA

I was driving on I 66 in virginia and got stuck in traffic due to an earlier accident. Car went for about a mile in stop and go traffic, when suddenly the car started to rev up and jumped into gear to move forward. I thought maybe something was stuck, so I put into park and turned the engine off, and restarted it. It did it again after doing it for about 5 times, I was able to get over to the side of the highway. I called a tow truck and had it taken to my mechanic. He told me that I need a new transmission. My car had 135000. Miles on it. No warning lights at all came on. My mechanic had just fixed it two weeks before for the heater hose cracking after being replaced a year ago.

Filed Oct 15, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 85,000 miles · FL

Our transmission issue started as we're going down I-75 at about 65-70. What sounded like something falling from under the hood and making a klanking sound at if it was falling from the engine. After a few months the transmission started making a high pitched noise. Our local auto repair store wouldn't touch it so we had to take it to the vw dealer. Turns out not only did we need a new transmission but we also needed a new tipm. Total cost including labor was over $7000.00. We had roughly 85,000 miles on it so it was no longer covered under warranty.

Filed Oct 28, 2016 · Transmission · TN

I bought my vw routan used in september 2014. In the 1st couple of months the transmission would stop shifting (I would turn it off and back on) to fix it and in november 2014 the transmission went out and got stuck in 3rd gear while driving and wouldn't reset after turning off, this is when the check engine light came on, at 62,000 miles. Had to have a new $6000 transmission brought in from germany to be put in the van. Now less than 30,000 miles later after a new original transmission put in, having the same problem not shifting out of 3rd gear and having to pull it over turn it off and turn it back on for it to work properly again.

Filed Jun 21, 2016 · Electrical · 46,615 miles · CA

Engine turns over but will not start while parked. Often the car will initially start but then stall as the rps decrease to idle. After that, the car will not start until after 20-30 attempts if lucky. On february 10, 2016 (milage 44,574) I took the car to my local vw dealership service dept. (roseville , ca). They replaced the transmission range sensor. Problem continued intermittently but got progressively worse. On june 16, 2016 (milage 46,615) took back to same service dept. Who now says there is a bad totally integrated power module (tipm). This seems to be a recurring problem throughout the dodge, chrysler, and vw family of minivans (vw routan built by chrysler). While dodge and chrysler seem to have addressed this problem, vw refuses to do so. This module can potentially kill the motor while driving making it an important safety concern.

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 May 19, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 51,496 miles · AZ

The first incident with a "clunking" noise of the transmission began on 7/10/2014 at 51,496 miles. When shifting from reverse to drive car makes a "clunking" noise and jerks the car forward. It was noted by dealership after a test drive no faults found. On 3/19/15 at 58,611 miles car returned to dealership. Same clunking and grinding noises. Faults: p0868, p1790 & p0944. Pressure readings to low in TCM control wires. Transmission to be replaced per dealership. Findings: under drive clutches worn out, sungears and assembly damaged with metal metal fragments. On 4/30/2015 and 59,215 miles, car returned to dealership for same grinding and clunking noises. Dealership performed another "quick learn test." as of 5/19/2015 and 60,001 miles, transmission is still grinding and clunking on occasion during acceleration and/or transmission shift from reverse to drive. The vehicle also randomly "stalls" while at stoplights/stop-signs with no normal frequency. Even with a new transmission, same issues are still surrounding this car. Thanks.

Filed Oct 15, 2012 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · VA

The first incident occurred 8/22/2012. The transmission went out. The car would not drive and would rev. Had to be towed. Bearings in the transmission were replaced. 9/22/12. The transmission went out again. Was going up hill and the transmission would rev and not click into gear. Had to have the car towed 200 miles back home. Was told by the dealership my transmission blew up. They replaced. The transmission. Got it back. Still wasn't driving right it was vibrating and making a noise. I insisted it was not correct took them a week to figure out that one of the engine mounts sheared off because they threaded the engine wrong when they put my engine back after replacing the transmission.

Filed Dec 16, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · 6,000 miles · MD

August 11, 2010 the check engine light was one. Codes p0038 and p0032 for 02 sensor faults populated. The codes were cleared. We were without the use of our vehicle for approximately day. September 13, 2010 the check engine light continued to come on. The grounds were tightened and the vehicle was test driven. A loaner/rental vehicle was issued for approximately 2 days. December 3, 2010 the check engine light was still coming on and off. Check and found fault codes stored for rear 02 sensor. The faulty rear 02 sensor was replaced. A loaner/rental vehicle was issued for approximately 4 days. February 18, 2011 the check engine light was still coming on. It was determined that the ECM needed to be reset. The ECM was reset and rechecked for codes. A loaner/rental vehicle was issued for approximately 1 day. May 13, 2011 the check engine light was still coming on. The routan stalled out twice in one day while driving. The win module was replaced and two new keys were programmed for the vehicle. A loaner/rental vehicle was issued for approximately 10 days. October 31, 2011 the vehicle was humming during acceleration and pulling without properly switching gears. Metal was found in the pan bell, housing and compounds. The transmission was replaced. A loaner/rental vehicle was issued for approximately 13 days. December 7, 2011 the routan stalled out twice when going from reverse to drive. A loaner vehicle was issued and we were without the use of our vehicle for approximately one day. December 16, 2011 the vehicle stalled while in motion twice, once while stopping at a traffic signal and again while parking and placing the vehicle in reverse. We took the vehicle to your dealership to be tested and repaired. We were issued a loaner vehicle. As of today, december 16, 2011, we are still without the use of our vehicle.