Volkswagen Routan Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Volkswagen Routan model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2014 drew the fewest (2) and the 2009 the most (294).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 20 |
| 2008 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Child seat | — | — |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 0 | Engine | — | 20 |
| 2012 | 63 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 20 |
| 2011 Among the most complaints |
175 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 20 |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
240 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 18–20 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
294 | 6 | Electrical system | — | 18–20 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Volkswagen Routan years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2009 Volkswagen Routan: 294 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 151 (51%); Engine 78 (27%); Service brakes 55 (19%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Volkswagen Routan: 240 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 150 (63%); Engine 45 (19%); Service brakes 27 (11%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 fires, 12 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Volkswagen Routan: 175 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 111 (63%); Engine 48 (27%); Fuel/propulsion system 39 (22%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 21 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 69,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Volkswagen Routan years with the fewest complaints
2014 Volkswagen Routan: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Seats 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Volkswagen Routan: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Child seat 1 (33%); Electrical system 1 (33%); Wheels 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Volkswagen Routan: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 3 (43%); Electrical system 2 (29%); Power train 2 (29%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Volkswagen Routan owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 63 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 76,000 |
| 2011 | 175 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 69,000 |
| 2010 | 240 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2009 | 294 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Volkswagen Routan recalls
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2009–2010 model years; 20,676 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2015; 15V194000)
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2009 model year; 18,526 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V396000)
- MISSING INFORMATION ON OWNERS MANUAL (2009 model year; 18,500 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2009; 09V244000)
- POWER SLIDING DOOR WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLY (2009 model year; 15,902 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2010; 10V252000)
- IGNITION SWITCH (2010 model year; 12,612 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2011; 11V151000)
All 8 Volkswagen Routan recall campaigns · Volkswagen Routan problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Volkswagen Routan years FAQ
Which Volkswagen Routan year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2014 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Volkswagen Routan years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2009, 2010 and 2011 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Volkswagen Routan problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (455 of 784 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Routan have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering the Volkswagen Routan. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Volkswagen Routan recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.