Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2012 Volkswagen Routan: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, most recently filed April 2012. Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Volkswagen Routan. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 12V147000 Filed Apr 5, 2012

REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported15 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V147000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (63)

63 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 63.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other Routan years

Best and worst Routan years →
2008200920102011201220132014
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined

20
mpg combined
17
city
25
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,350
CO₂ tailpipe
444 g/mi
EPA class
Minivan -

What it costs you to run

$3,266per year
$272per month
750gallons a year

Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2012 Volkswagen Routan configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 Routan for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Routan years

Where to next

2012 Volkswagen Routan FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 12V147000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen Routan problems?

Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (39), Engine (21), Fuel/propulsion system (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan get?

EPA rates the 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg.

How does the 2012 Routan compare with other years?

Among the 2008–2014 Volkswagen Routan model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2009 the most (294). The 2012 drew 63. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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