Volkswagen Routan reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 487 complaints about the Volkswagen Routan with NHTSA since 2010, most often about electrical system and engine. Volkswagen has filed 5 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 3 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Volkswagen Routan? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Routan a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 487
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 5
- Filed by Volkswagen
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Volkswagen
- Safety recalls
- 3
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Routan with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 | Electrical system (50%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 7 | Engine (43%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 63 | Electrical system (62%) | 1 | 3 |
| 2011 | 175 | Electrical system (63%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2010 | 240 | Electrical system (63%) | 2 | 2 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Routan model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Volkswagen
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Volkswagen filed with NHTSA for the Routan, in its own words. A warranty extension means Volkswagen pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionApr 2021· Fuel system· model years 2010–2011
Warranty Extension for Intake Manifold & Fuel Injectors Certain 2008-2011
- Warranty extensionApr 2021· Fuel system· model years 2011
Warranty Extension for Fuel Injectors Certain 2011 Model Year Volkswagen
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Fuel system (diesel)· model years 2011–2012
Warranty Extension for High-Pressure Fuel Pump: Volkswagen informed customers of a decision to extend the warranty for the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) in the TDI® Clean Diesel engine vehicle under specific conditions to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from…
- Warranty extensionJan 2015· Engine· model years 2011–2012
Left Cylinder Head Limited Warranty Extension ? Certain 2011–2012 Model Year Routan with 3.6L Engine (Engine Code CJRA) (US Dealers)
- Warranty extensionMar 2013· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2012
Engine Exhaust Flap Limited Warranty Extension
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Routan model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Electrical system303 (62%)
- Engine117 (24%)
- Transmission and drivetrain50 (10%)
- Fuel and propulsion47 (10%)
- Brakes45 (9%)
- Steering42 (9%)
- Other or unspecified42 (9%)
- Stability control12 (2%)
Safety recalls
3 recalls cover at least one Routan model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system.
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2012 Routan vehicles, manufactured from november 15, 2011, through november 21, 2011.
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured from october 2009 Through june 2010.
NHTSA's own page for the 2015 Volkswagen Routan has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Volkswagen Routan reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 487 owner complaints, 5 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns Volkswagen filed, and 3 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (240), 2011 (175), 2012 (63). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Volkswagen Routan?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name electrical system (62%), engine (24%), transmission and drivetrain (10%). Volkswagen has filed 5 warranty extensions covering the Routan, listed on this page.
Which Routan model years have the most complaints?
2010 (240), 2011 (175), 2012 (63). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Routan with each other rather than with other models.
Has Volkswagen extended the warranty on the Routan?
Yes: fuel system (model years 2010–2011); fuel system (model years 2011); fuel system (diesel) (model years 2011–2012), and 2 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Routan?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 3 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.