There are no safety recalls for the 2011 Volkswagen Routan, but owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA.
2011 Volkswagen Routan problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Electrical System | 111 | |
| Engine | 48 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 39 | |
| Power Train | 19 | |
| Unknown or Other | 17 | |
| Service Brakes | 15 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 12 | |
| Steering | 11 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | |
| Air Bags | 6 | |
| Structure | 5 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 3
- Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 1
- Structure › Body › Door — 1
- Child Seat › Latch Connector/Clip — 1
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter — 1
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 1
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 69,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2011 Volkswagen Routan complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Service Brakes · reported Feb 17, 2025
The brakes randomly stop working. At random times you go to brake and have to push the pedal all the way to the floor to start stopping. 2nd issue. The car dies and looses all power at intermittent times while driving. The car has to be restarted while driving. Could be driving 70 on a hwy or 30 on a residential street. Either coast to the side of the road to restart... or quickly put the car in neutral and restart it while driving. Both of these have almost caused wrecks several times. Unknown own causes to both as they happen at random and different times.
Steering · reported Jan 10, 2025
loss of steering while driving, fluid loss multiple times since late september 2024(all while driving and no lights or warnings came on), 2 snapped serpentine belts, key ignition sticking(would not turn), dashboard not lighting up, rpm no longer rests below 1.5 - 2, car struggles to accelerate(especially uphill), car turns over and struggles to start, even though has newer battery. 1/9/25 driving to an appointment, upon reaching destination, a pop sound. No smell, no warnings came up on dashboard. Upon leaving, saw fluid leak, headed straight to dealership, at which a massive amount of fluid…
Engine · at 190,000 miles · reported May 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Electrical System · reported Sep 8, 2022
Car has issues starting as if fuel pump isnt coming on... also vehicle shut down in middle of driving down highway would not restart
Steering · reported Mar 20, 2022
While driving on a highway at 65 Mph, vehicle shut down, lost brakes, steering, and all power, had to coast to a stop, narrowly avoiding a collision. Upon exhaustive review, TIPM was faulty, causing starting issues, intermittent power loss, and fuel pump issues. As this van is manufactured by Chrysler (for VW) and their (identical) model has the same issue, it was known and recalled, it is appalling that no recall exists for this VW model. These vans are being financed and bought by families, and like us driven daily with children in them. The issue is widespread, very well known, but as in…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Volkswagen Routan have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2011 Volkswagen Routan as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Volkswagen Routan?
Owners report electrical system problems most often (111 reports), followed by engine (48). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 69,000 miles.
Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.