2009 Volkswagen Routan Complaint Log

THE 09 VW ROUTAN HAS NEEDED BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED EVERY 9 MONTHS. TO DATE VW HAS COVERED THE COST OF REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER HAVE YET TO MAKE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS.

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING AT 22,837 MILES IN 2010. VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL AND APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP. FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED . TWO YEARS LATER IN 2012 AT 43,919 MILES BACK ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED, AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT. IN 2013 AT 68,797 MILES 2 OF THE NEW TIRES WERE REPLACED AND ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. CAR STOPS SOMETIMES AND WILL NOT COME BACK ON IMMEDIATELY. IN 2014 AT 90,000 MILES, BATTERY DIED AND ANTIFREEZE IN RADIATOR EXPLODED, HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY AND A PART FOR THE RADIATOR. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, 2 TIRES AND HAD ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT. EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING, MECHANIC SAID IT MAY BE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND OFF. DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK UNLESS YOU PUSH THE LOCK DOWN WITH YOUR HAND. MECHANIC SAYS THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHEN TIRES ARE ROTATED THE NEXT TIME (THESE WERE REPLACED WITH THE ROTORS IN JUNE OR JULY 2014). IF YOU LEAN AGAINST BACK SEAT FROM THE TRUNK AREA, IT FALLS FORWARD AND THE MIDDLE SEAT NO LONGER FOLDS DOWN. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STALLS WHEN YOU TRY TO ROLL IT UP OR DOWN. *TR

2009 VW ROUTAN, ELECTRIC DOOR FAILURE. DOORS FAIL TO STOP, THERE'S NO SENSOR, CLOSING ON YOUR HAND OR WHATEVER. ALSO RANDOMLY FAIL TO CLOSE, CLOSE HALF WAY, RE-OPEN, OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNSAFE. WE HAVE TWO SMALL DOGS, IF ONE OF THE DOGS ACCIDENTALLY STEPS THRU THE DOOR WHILE IT'S CLOSING, IT WILL CLOSE ON THE DOG. I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR IF I HAD KNOWN. I'M THINKING OF HAVING THE ELECTRIC DOORS DISENGAGED. READ THAT OTHER OWNERS HAD DOOR CATCH FIRE. I WANT TO RETURN THIS CAR. *TR

OUR ROUTAN HAS "STARTED ITSELF" MULTIPLE TIMES. IN EACH INSTANCE, WITHOUT INTENTIONALLY STARTING THE IGNITION (KEYS WERE IN PURSE/HANDBAG UNTOUCHED BY HUMAN HANDS), WE HAVE FOUND THE VEHICLE ON AND IDLING. MOST RECENTLY, WE HAPPENED (FORTUITOUSLY) TO FIND THE VEHICLE RUNNING IN OUR ENCLOSED GARAGE. THE GARAGE IS ATTACHED TO OUR HOME AND WE FELT, GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTAL DEATH IF NOT DISCOVERED IN A TIMELY FASHION, WE NEEDED TO ALERT AUTHORITIES OF THE (EITHER) DESIGN FLAW OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. WHILE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS CERTAINLY A STRONG POSSIBILITY (WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH IT IN THIS VEHICLE), EVEN IF THE REMOTE IGNITION KEY WERE "FUNCTIONAL" WE FEEL THE LACK OF BARRIERS TO ACCIDENTALLY STARTING THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. FOR INSTANCE, IF THE KEYS ARE IN A PURSE AND SIMPLY MOVING THE PURSE IS ENOUGH TO START THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY "WORKED", IT IS FAR TOO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS WHAT HAS OCCURRED IN EACH INSTANCE (KEYS IN A PURSE, NO HANDS DIRECTLY TOUCHING THE KEYS). A SAFER DESIGN MIGHT INVOLVE A CODE TO BE PUNCHED IN VS SIMPLY PRESSING ONE BUTTON. GIVEN THAT MANY FAMILIES KEEP THEIR VEHICLE IN AN ATTACHED, ENCLOSED GARAGE, ACCIDENTALLY RUNNING THE VEHICLE COULD BE DEADLY IF CARBON MONOXIDE WERE TO BUILD UP AND ENTER THE HOME. *TR

SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AS A NEW CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2009 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT BUT CHRONICALLY RECURRING ISSUES WITH VIOLENT SHAKING DURING BRAKING ON OUR 2009 VW ROUTAN. TO WORK THE PROBLEM THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED BY THE OEM THREE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED & AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO THE DEALER THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY THE OEM AT 15,019 MILES ON OCTOBER 27, 2010. VIBRATION DURING BREAKING STILL PERSISTED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT WAS MANAGEABLE. IN JULY OF 2013 HEAVY VIBRATION RETURNED. THE DEALER INFORMED US ALL FOUR TIRES HAD UNEVEN WEAR AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH ALL 4 AIR PRESSURE GAUGES. SHAKING CONTINUED SO WE THEN PAID TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AGAIN AT 47,300 MILES (APPX) ON AUGUST 6, 2013. AS OF NOW THE VEHICLE STILL VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED BRAKING ALTHOUGH LESS VIOLENTLY. WE BELIEVE SEVERAL ISSUES ARE AT PLAY POSSIBLY: - INFERIOR OR DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS, BOTH FACTORY INSTALLED AND OEM REPLACEMENT ROTORS - CHRONIC STABILITY ISSUE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - UNEVEN WEAR ON TIRES WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO MORE RAPID WEAR AND TEAR - NEAR SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF ALL 4 AIR PRESSURE GAUGES BEFORE 50,000 MILES. WE HAVE KEPT THE REPLACED TIRE PRESSURE GAUGES, BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS IF NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR WIRING FAILED FOR BOTH SLIDING DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND RECOMMENDED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR BOTH SLIDING DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS A FRACTURED WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) ON OCTOBER 15, 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DURING LIGHT/MODERATE BRAKING- THIS HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE AT A VERY EARLY MILEAGE. AFTER 16,000 MILES THE NOISE AND VIBRATION HAS BECOME VERY ANNOYING- THE WHOLE VEHICLE VIBRATES. *TR

ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, 2010, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PLACED THE 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN IN PARK. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHILE I FINISHED UP A PHONE CALL THROUGH THE BLUETOOTH AND PROCEEDED TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO WHILE CLEANING OUT THE VAN. I WALKED AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE LEANING IN TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I NEEDED TO GO INSIDE THE HOUSE, SO, STANDING OUTSIDE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VAN I REACHED ACROSS THE SEAT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVE THE KEYS. AS SOON AS I DID THIS, THE VAN JOLTED BACKWARD AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. MY UPPER BODY WAS STILL INSIDE THE CAR. I TRIED TO DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT HAND WHILE I HELD TIGHTLY ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY LEFT. I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BUT I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL SO THAT THE VAN CRASHED INTO A TREE ON MY PROPERTY, INSTEAD OF GOING INTO THE STREET. WHEN THE VAN HIT THE TREE, THE FORCE THREW ME OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY MY HUSBAND WHERE THE FOUND THAT I HAD BROKEN 2 RIBS, SPRAINED MY LEFT SHOULDER AND SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE. I ALSO SUFFERED SEVERAL CUTS AND SCRAPES AND NUMEROUS BRUISES. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR

MY BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE GONE OUT TWICE IN MY BRAND NEW VW ROUTAN. ONCE AT 5,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 10,000 MILES. IT HAS HAD A TON OF OTHER PROBLEMS AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. MULTIPLE RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT EACH SERVICE AS WELL. ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKING AND BRAKES NOT WORKING CORRECTLY BOTH TIMES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR. *TR

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. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IN THAT TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 6K MILES AND IT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. THERE WAS EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK, FIRST THEY DIDN'T HAVE A TECH QUALIFIED TO FIX IT SO THEY HAD TO WAIT ON AN OUT OF STATE TECH TO COME IN. PARTS WERE BACKORDERED AND WHEN THEY CAME IN THE "FIX" DIDN'T WORK SO THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW AT 15K MILES I STARTED HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR POWER FOLDING SEAT WAS BROKEN. I RELUCTANTLY TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS ASSURED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THAT WAS A MONTH AGO, AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED, THEY ARE WAITING ON PARTS TO COME IN. VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER CARE IS NO HELP, THEY SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON IT BUT THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE DONE SO FAR IS APOLOGIZE. *TR

BESIDES THE BRAKES/ROTORS NOW GOING ON THEIR 4TH SET AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD, THE FRONT BUMPER LOOKS LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, MANY SMALL OTHER PROBLEMS, THIS MORNING MY SON HAD HIS FINGER CAUGHT IN THE SLIDING DOOR AND THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN, IT JUST KEPT TRYING TO SHUT ON HIM. THIS VAN IS HORRIBLE! THE DOOR HAS ACTED UP BEFORE, BUT NEVER LIKE THIS. THE DECALS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR WERE COMING OFF AT ONE POINT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TAIL LIGHT ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED. WATER IN THE FRONT LIGHT. JUST TOO MANY THINGS FOR A NEW CAR. *TR

MY WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN OUR 2009 ROUTAN TODAY. MY WIFE SMELLED SMOKE AND NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM OUR RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR. MY WIFE PULLED OFF QUICKLY INTO A GAS STATION WHERE THE ATTENDANT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE CAUSED THE WINDOW TO EXPLODE; THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE WITHIN MINUTES OF EXITING THE CAR. FIRE CREW CAME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS SLIDING DOOR NOT CLOSING PROPERLY (ELECTRONICALLY) AND HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH OUR RIGHT SLIDING DOOR ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. UPON INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED A RECALL FOR 2009 ROUTANS ISSUED ON FRIDAY. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY, OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND EXPEDITED! THE VEHICLE IS WITH THE DEALER. I WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON HOW THEY CORRECTED THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN UPDATED 5/12/2015 *JS

SHAKING BRAKES REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. ROTOR REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BRAKES REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE. <5000 MILES LATER, SAME PROBLEM - DEALERSHIP TELLING US TO REPLACE ROTERS AND BRAKES, AGAIN. IRONICALLY, THE ROUTAN THAT THE DEALER USED TO SHUTTLE ME TO AND FROM THE SERVICE STATION WAS SHAKING WHILE BRAKING... *TR

AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF DRIVING THE VAN, I NOTICED SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BAD BRAKING HABITS. LAST YEAR, I RODE AN AMERICAN VERSION OF THIS VAN (CHRYSLER OR DODGE), THERE WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT REAR ROTORS WERE BAD. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR IT HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL REPLACE WITH BETTER PARTS. I THINK THE BRAKES WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR THE V8 ENGINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE SENSOR FAILED AND HER CHILDS FINGERS AND PART OF HIS BODY WERE JAMMED IN THE DOOR. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO FAILURES IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

THE REAR TAILGATE OF MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN OPENED UP AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND IN MOTION WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SHOULD NOT DO EVEN IF THE POWER TAILGATE BUTTON IS PRESSED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WHICH RESULTED IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERING UPON CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPENING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND NOTHING WAS FOUND IN THE DIAGNOSTICS THAT POINTED TO A FAILURE OF ANY SORT. THERE WERE PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR NOT REPORTED TO THE DEALER, INCLUDING WITH THE TAILGATE, THAT WERE NOT AS SERIOUS AND THAT CORRECTED THEMSELVES AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V396000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE 12000 MILES. VW DEALER NEVER WANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. KEEP TELL ME THIS NORMAL. NOW I HAVE TO ADD QUARTER OIL EVERY1400 MIL. I HOPE THE RECALL WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AT 12000 MILES DUE THE WHILE BRAKES. I'VE DONE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST 3 TIMES ALREADY. *TR

BRAKES STARTED SHAKING AT AROUND 3,000 MILES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE WARPED ROTORS CAUSED A SHIMMY THAT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS AND WITHIN 500 MILES THEY EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE DEALER THEN CHANGED ALL FOUR ROTORS. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 20,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WITH AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHO STATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT COMPATIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE WEIGHT CAPACITY. THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

VW ROUTAN 2009-THE BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER 6 WEEKS STARTED TO SHAKE AND AT TIMES I HAVE COME CLOSE TO NOT COMING TO A FULL STOP DUE TO THE VIOLENT VIBRATION IT CAUSED. I AM THINKING THAT IF I DON'T EASE UP ON THE BRAKES THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO EXPLODE. THIS CONTINUES EVEN AFTER REQUESTING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. NOW AT 18000 MILES I AM REQUIRING TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKES. $$$. UNFAIR. WITH ALL THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, I AM TEMPTED TO TRADE IN.. I USE TO LOVE AND TRUST THE VW REPUTATION:(( TIME TO CHANGE!! *TR

COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE (NO POWER, NO POWER STEERING) WHILE DRIVING 45MPH ON A 7 LANE MAJOR STREET. THANKFULLY IT WAS IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE ACROSS THE INTERSECTION TO A SIDE STREET WHERE I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AND IT RESUMED POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 MORE TIMES SINCE THEN, USUALLY WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,046.

BRAKE ROTORS WARP VERY QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE (WHICH IS ALSO MADE BY CHRYSLER). DURING HEAVY BRAKING AT 40MPH THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES VERY HEAVILY DUE TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS (HAPPENS UNDER 12000MILES). DON'T SEE HOW ANTILOCK SENSORS CAN WITHSTAND THIS VIBRATION AND GET AN ACCURATE READING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LOCKING THE WHEELS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD INCIDENTS WHERE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 40MPH HOUR THAT I HAVE SKIDDED BUT WAS SMART ENOUGH TO LET OFF ONCE I REALIZED THE ABS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND RE-APPLIED THE BRAKES.VW AND DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE ROTORS WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE AS THEY CLAIM. IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN A BAD ACCIDENT THINKING THAT ABS BRAKES AND THERE BRAKING SYSTEM IS RELIABLE. HIGH SPEED BRAKING IS NOT SOMETHING YOU DO EVERYDAY BUT IN AN EMERGENCY AND THAT'S WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR BRAKES ARE WARPED AND IN NEED OF REPAIR!!! BUT IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE LOCKED THE DOORS, THE CHILDREN WERE UNABLE TO EXIT FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT EFFORT. THE ANTI-SKID WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/08/09

BRAKING IS INADEQUATE AND IS LIKELY TO FAIL AS BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED AFTER LESS THAN A 8,000 MILES. WARPED ROTORS COULD AFFECT ABS SYSTEM AND LEAD TO MORE ACCIDENTS. VW HAS REPLACED ROTORS WITH SAME PART NUMBER SO PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF SHORTLY AFTER INSTALLATION. VW NEEDS TO IMPROVE THEIR BRAKES FOR THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THE SAFETY OF THE TYPICAL CUSTOMER IS USUALLY A FAMILY OF FOUR OR MORE. A RECENT SEARCH ON GOOGLE SHOWS THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO VW WHO CONTINUES TO SIMPLY REPLACE THE PART WITH THE SAME ONE. THEY NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND ENGINEER A BETTER BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THIS VEHICLE OR BUY BETTER QUALITY BRAKING COMPONENTS. *TR

I HAVE A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE THIRD ROW IS A BENCH SEAT, WHICH HAS LATCH COMPATIBILITY IN ONE PLACE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT A CHILD SAFETY SEAT (BOOSTER OR INFANT SEAT) CAN BE INSTALLED USING THE LATCH SYSTEM IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE THIRD ROW. WHEN A BOOSTER SEAT OR AN INFANT SEAT ARE, IN FACT, INSTALLED IN THIS THIRD ROW, THE CHILD IS ACTUALLY POSITIONED IN BETWEEN THE OUTBOARD SEAT AND THE CENTER SEAT, DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE LATCH "BARS", AND THE CHILD'S HEAD IS IN BETWEEN THE CENTER AND OUTBOARD HEADREST, AND IS NOT PROTECTED BY EITHER HEADREST. THIS ALSO MEANS THAT NEITHER THE CENTER SEATBELT OR OUTBOARD SEATBELT FITS ACROSS MY CHILD AS IT SHOULD - IT IS NOT ACROSS HIS SHOULDER. I TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL VW AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY; WHEN I DID, I WAS PUT IN TOUCH WITH A MEMBER OF THE SAFETY TEAM WHO COMPLETELY DISMISSED MY CONCERNS AND TOLD ME THAT IF MY LATCH DIDN'T SEEM TO BE IN THE CORRECT POSITIONS, THEN I SHOULD JUST NOT USE THE LATCH. WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT WOULD TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY (THE CHILD IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE SEATBELT OR HEADREST WHEN USING THE LATCH IN THE THIRD ROW AT ALL!!!), I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE TO SPEAK TO AN THAT ALL THE ROUTANS WERE MADE THAT WAY AS A "CONVENIENCE" FOR FOLDING DOWN THE SEATS. *TR

WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2009 BASED ON ALL OF THE "SAFETY FEATURES" AND AS IT TURNS OUT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST UNSAFE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. SINCE PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD THE ROTORS CUT 2X AND REPLACED ONCE DUE TO VIOLENT SHAKING IN FRONT END WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. THE FIRST TIME WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLES SITTING IN THE RAIN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME . WHAT ??? THAT MAY BE THE MOST AGGRAVATING OF ALL WHICH IS THAT VW WOULD RATHER ASSUME YOU ARE STUPID ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT. ANOTHER ISSUE HAS BEEN THAT THE HEAD UNIT (DVD PLAYER & BACKUP CAM) HAVE HAD ISSUES FROM DAY 1 SUCH AS THE UNIT SWITCHING FROM DVD TO RADIO ON ITS OWN. AT TIMES THE DVD SCREENS GO BLANK WHICH REQUIRES YOU TO SHUT DOWN THE SYSTEM AND START IT UP AGAIN AND THE BACKUP CAM WILL NOT GO OFF ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM WAS THEN REFERRED TO VW FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THEY FOUND NO ISSUES AND THAT I SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHEN IT HAPPENS, WHICH I DID TO NO AVAIL. MY FINAL COMPLAINT IS THE "WORRY FREE" MAINTENANCE. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED OIL RELIGIOUSLY IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED EVERY 3000 MILES UNLESS I USED SYNTHETIC WHICH I WOULD CHANGE BEFORE 5000 MILES. VW HAS TOLD US TO COME IN FOR SERVICE EVERY 6000 MILES WHICH I HAD CLAIMED TO BE WRONG AND IT SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 3000. AGAIN I WAS TREATED AS IF I AM STUPID AND VW'S SOMEHOW CAN GO LONGER IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES USING CONVENTIONAL OIL. NEEDLESS TO SAY I NOW HAVE A 2009 VW ROUTAN THAT HAS JUST OVER 28000 MILES, IS OUT OF WARRANTY , AS 36 MONTHS HAS PASSED SINCE PURCHASE, AND HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AND ALTHOUGH THE OIL NOW GETS CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AT MY EXPENSE I HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY ADD OIL EVERY 500 OR SO MILES. DOES ANY OF THIS SEEM TO BE THE RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF VW? *TR

MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SLIPPED INTO REVERSE WHILE I WAS BEHIND IT TODAY RUNNING ME OVER AND CAUSING A LEG INJURY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN UNKNOWN REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 850.

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN THE ONE MONTH OLD VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY FELT LIKE SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. I GOT IN THE CAR AGAIN TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THERE IT STAYED FOR 13 DAYS. THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WERE REPAIRED/REPLACE: FAULTY TRANSMISSION SENSOR, REPLACED SENSOR. ALSO, ABS STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ERRATIC PERFORMANCE. FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR. *TR

DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASE OF MY 2009 VW ROUTAN I EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SLIDING DOORS. AT FIRST IT WAS GETTING THEM TO OPEN AN CLOSE AN WENT TO THE POINT OF THE DOOR TRYING TO OPEN WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS LIKE I HAVE GONE THROUGH 26QRTS OF OIL IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS AN THEY HAVE SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT 4 TIMES NOW . THE REAR SLIDING DOORS ARE A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE, I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR THIS ISSUE ATLEAST 12-15 TIMES AN 5-6 OF THOSE TIMES WAS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. MY MOST RECENT TIME OF HAVING IT IN THE VW SERVICE DEPT WAS ABOUT 6 WKS AGO AN NOTHING WAS RESOLVED AFTER IT BEING THERE FOR A WEEK. I DID NOT KNOW OF THE LEMON LAW OR I WOULD HAVE TALKED TO A LAWYER THEN. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE CAN DO TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CANT KEEP WORRYING ABOUT THE DOOR OPENING WHILE MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR AN I AM DRIVING THE DEALERSHIP AN VW CUSTOMER CARE HAVE BEEN MADE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUES AN HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT TELL ME TO BRING IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT WHERE NOTHING IS DONE. *TR

I AM WRITING YOU DUE TO AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO MY CHILD CONCERNING THE VW ROUTON MINIVAN. WE WERE LOOKING AT ONE ON DISPLAY AT HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE THIS PAST SATURDAY, THE 4TH OF JULY., 2009. THE BACK HATCH WAS OPEN AND MY 7 YEAR OLD FOUND BUTTONS THAT POWERED THE LAST ROW OF SEATS. THESE BUTTONS LIFTED THE SEATS UP AND DOWN. TO MY HORROR I ALL OF SUDDEN HEARD MY 3 YEAR OLD SCREAMING. HE WAS STANDING IN THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE LAST ROW OF SEATS WITH HIS FOOT LODGED IN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE FLOOR. THE POWER LIFT WAS STILL RUNNING AND SMASHING HIS FOOT. THERE WAS NO SENSOR THAT STOPPED THE POWER SEAT. I FEEL THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A CHILD'S HEAD GOT LODGED IN THIS MECHANISM. LUCKILY MY CHILD HAD CROCK SHOES ON AND WAS ABLE TO PULL HIS FOOT OUT OF HIS SHOE BUT THERE WAS QUITE AN INDENTATION MARK FROM WHERE THE SEAT WAS PUSHING ON HIS FOOT. THE DOORS IN MINIVANS HAVE SENSORS--I BELIEVE THESE POWER LIFT BACK ROW SEATS SHOULD HAVE SOME SORT OF SENSOR. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE A CHILD GET KILLED BY THIS. *TR

BACK UP CAMERA ON THE VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN MINIVAN IS UNUSABLE. VIDEO HAS NO CONTRAST, LOW COLOR LEVEL, LACKS DETAIL, WRONG COLORS, ETC. THIS CAMERA IS A HAZARD FOR ANYONE THAT TRIES TO USE IT FOR BACKING UP. SAME CAMERA AS ON ALL CHRYSLER MINIVANS. ADDITIONALLY WHEN THE VAN IS EQUIPPED WITH THE CAMERA, THEY DELETE THE BACKUP SENSORS, LEAVING NO AIDS FOR DETERMINING IF THE BLIND SPOTS ARE CLEAR. *TR

WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH OUR VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SINCE NEARLY DAY ONE. WHILE PARKED ON ANY TYPE OF SURFACE, (HILL, OR FLAT, DOWN HILL, OR UP HILL). ON OCCASION THE DOOR WHILE OPENING OR CLOSING WILL RE-CLOSE OR NOT OPEN. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD GET IN THE DOOR BEFORE DOOR HAS COME TO COMPLETE REST. THE CHILD GETS IN AS THE DOOR OPENS, AND THE DOOR CLOSES BACK ON HIM AS IT COULDN'T OPEN PROPERLY. WE HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY VW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT WAS NOT RESOLVED. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THESE DOORS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WOULD IMMEDIATELY REOPEN AFTER BEING CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR CHAIN AND AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

HEATING/VENTILATION/AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL PANEL IS MOUNTED LOW IN THE CENTER DASH AREA AND IS ILLUMINATED IN BLUE, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN DAYLIGHT. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS/HER EYES OFF THE ROAD WHEN MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SETTINGS AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. THE 2010 MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE USES WHITE LIGHTING, CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. 2009 MODELS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR A RETROFIT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE REAR DOOR OPENED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE DOOR THEN CLOSED. SHE STATED THAT ONCE A CHILD'S HANDS GOT CAUGHT IN THE REAR DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS SEVEN TIMES; ONCE THE DEALER VACUUMED THE CHANNELS WHERE THE PULLEYS WERE LOCATED. THE DOORS HESITATED AFTER BUT DID NOT STAY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR BRAKE ISSUES AS THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DRUMS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND THE SEAMS WERE SEPARATING ON THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WERE FIVE RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE BUT THE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL DEFECTS WITH THE POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE 2009 VW ROUTAN SE. THE DEFECT HAS BEEN REPAIRED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE, TWICE BEFORE THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL ON THE POWER SLIDING DOORS AND TWICE AFTER THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE UNLATCHED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE POWER LOCKS ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE SENSORS ON THE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE FAILED TO RETRACT, RESULTING IN HANDS BEING TRAPPED. LASTLY, I HAVE FOUND THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPEN UPON RETURN TO THE VEHICLE AFTER CLOSING AND LOCKING IT. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO VW'S LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE CONTACTED VW'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT AS LONG AS THIS DEFECT CAN BE REPAIRED THEY WOULD NOT ADMINISTER A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND FEEL IT POSES A RISK TO MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. *TR

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SE WITH BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS. OUR 4 YEAR OLD SON WENT TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE, AND AT THE SAME TIME MY HUSBAND WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PUSHING THE "DOOR OPEN" BUTTON ON THE KEY. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE DOOR ENDED UP CLOSING COMPLETELY, AND LATCHING, ON MY SON'S HAND. IT ALSO WOULD ONLY OPEN ONCE MY HUSBAND FORCEFULLY PULLED THE DOOR OPEN. OF COURSE HIS HAND IMMEDIATELY SWELLED UP AND WE VISITED THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, HAD XRAY'S TAKEN, AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENCE OF A FRACTURE. WHEN WE REPORTED THIS DIRECTLY TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO BRING IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE. THE RESULT? "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR VEHICLE." THEY WENT ON TO EXPLAIN TO US THAT THE ANTI PINCH PROTECTION IS WORKING, BUT IS NOT DESIGNED TO SENSE SUCH A SMALL OBJECT. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ASSURED US THAT THIS MATTER WAS NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY, AND THAT THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE DOOR WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN WE ADDRESSED ANY FURTHER ACTIONS, IE REPLACEMENT OF DOOR, VEHICLE, OR TERMINATION OF OUR LEASE AGREEMENT, WE WERE TOLD, "WE ARE SORRY FOR THIS UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT, BUT ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO FOR YOU." WHEN WE EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN THAT OUR 4 YEAR OLD SON IS PETRIFIED OF OUR CAR, AND THAT HE REFUSES TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE BY HIMSELF, LET ALONE OPEN THE DOOR ALONE, WE WERE TOLD, "I AM SURE HE WILL GET OVER IT AFTER A WHILE." THESE ANSWERS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US. FOR A CAR THAT IS MARKETED AS A FAMILY MOBILE AND A SAFE VEHICLE, WE FEEL THAT IT DOES NOT LIVE UP TO IT'S CLAIMS. IT MAKES NO SENSE WHY AN AUTOMATIC DOOR WOULD BE DESIGNED TO SENSE SOMETHING BIGGER THAN A CHILD'S HAND, LIMB, OR OTHER BODY PART. WHAT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH A MINIVAN? A CHILD! WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED DUE TO THE LACK OF CARING OR IMPORTANCE THAT THIS MATTER HAS BEEN GIVEN. *TR