2009 Volkswagen Routan
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 152 of 294 complaints (52%) mention it.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,450 | 3,100–3,450 | 3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–20 | 18–20 | 20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 23–25 | 16–17 / 23–25 | 17 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444–494 | 444–494 | 444 | |
| Complaints filed | 294 | 240 | 175 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 5 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 12 | 21 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?
Electrical: 152 of 294 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Routan get?
EPA rates it 18–20 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Volkswagen Routan?
EPA estimates $3,100–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 17 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 83 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 20 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 152 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Brakes | 69 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 24 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 16V083000 · Feb 11, 2016
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Consequence: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 15V194000 · Apr 1, 2015
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured June 25, 2008, to July 8, 2009, and 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured October 1, 2009, to August 11, 2010. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28H1. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 11V151 and 14V396. Vehicles that previously received an ignition switch trim ring as a recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign. Vehicles that have already received a new ignition switch are not covered by this campaign.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V396000 · Jul 3, 2014
Defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will modify the ignition switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1- 800-822-8987. An interim notice was mailed to owners on August 29, 2014. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 28G1/U8. Note: This campaign is an expansion of NHTSA Recall No. 11V-151.
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 14V055000 · Feb 14, 2014
Defect: Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.
Consequence: Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 10V252000 · Jun 10, 2010
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2008 THROUGH JULY 2009. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPER ROUTED WIRE HARNESS THAT MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE LOWER SLIDING DOOR HINGE BRACKET CAN MAKE CONTACT AND WEAR THROUGH THE WIRE INSULATION. CONTACT WITH A 12V POWER FEED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE HARNESS MAY CAUSE A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE LATCH MECHANISM LOCATED INSIDE OF THE SLIDING DOOR.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED LATCH AND A FIRE WITHIN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE SLIDING DOOR WIRE TRACK WIRE ASSEMBLY AND THE SLIDING DOOR POWER DRIVE UNIT WIRE ASSEMBLY FOR DAMAGE, REPAIR/REPLACE AS NECESSARY, TIE STRAP THE TWO HARNESSES TOGETHER AND ROUTE THE HARNESSES UNDER THE SLIDING DOOR WEATHER STRIP. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL · Campaign 09V244000 · Jun 30, 2009
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 18,500 MY 2009 ROUTAN VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS PRINTED WITHOUT THE FMVSS NO. 208 REQUIRED INFORMATION EXPLAINING THAT NO OBJECTS SHOULD BE PLACED OVER THE OR NEAR THE AIR BAG ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Consequence: ANY SUCH OBJECTS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEND AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE REQUIRED AIR BAG INFORMATION FOR OWNER INSTALLATION OR DEALERS WILL INSTALL IN THE EVENT THE OWNER PREFERS ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.