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2012 Volkswagen Routan Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, most often about the electrical (62% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles). It is 4th of 7 Routan model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Complaints63
Recalls1
Crashes reported1
Fires reported0
Injuries reported2
Most common 2012 Volkswagen Routan problems
Electrical
39 complaints · 62%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles.
My wife was driving with 2 children on the highway at 70 MPH while the engine dies due to the fuel pump stopping to work due to a tipm fuel pump relay failure. Chrysler and dodge did the right thing, step up vw.
My car began to lose lights, fuel, speaker capabilities, and starting ability. Once was on the highway, and twice in my driveway. Aaa came and replaced the battery after jumping the original battery was not effective, which did nothing. It was towed to the Volkswagen dealership. They were unable to find out what was…
Engine
21 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles.
My 2012 Volkswagen Routan has only 87k miles and the car will crank but will not start, and or while driving the car's idle becomes rough and drops to the point of shutting off while driving. My wife drives this car with my daughter and if this car shuts off while driving it can cause accidents and bodily harm to…
When getting off highway while at light my car sputtered and stalled. The car would not restart and I had to have towed. The right side cylinder head had to be replaced at a cost of over $4000. Vw is replacing the left side under warranty for 10 years but not the right side for some reason so I have to pay. There have…
Fuel system
9 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
Mileage 106,000 2012 Routan but issues have been present since purchase at 96000. Vehicle stalled and lost all power approaching stop light. Vehicle has starting problems as well, will not react to start command. The aforementioned occurences are random and most likely related to tipm which is well known defect at…
I was in a parking lot van would not start. It would turn over an crank again and again when attempting to start, but the engine would not run. Tow truck driver was able to start it by removing push start and using key fob, but had trouble getting it started again unloading at vw dealership. The vw dealer fist said it…
Steering
8 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles.
Had to replace right rear wheel bearing at approximately 60,000 miles. Had to replace left rear wheel bearing at 80,500 miles. Both wheel bearings were making grinding noises. Rack and pinion hydraulic line cracked at elbow and had to be replaced. Rack and pinion problem occurred while driving close to home. Lost all…
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Routan. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact had to depress the brake pedal and turn the starter to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The…
Brakes
7 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 19,500 miles.
Vehicle shudders violently on stopping from variety of speeds. This is felt in the brake peddle, steering column, steering wheel. Vehicle shakes front to back and side to side on braking. Vehicle still appears to brake adequately, though something is definitely wrong with the braking system, doesn't seem safe. Vehicle…
My husband was at a light and pressed the gas to go, when he noticed that he entire vehicle had turned off. Steering, brakes, and all electrical. It took him a while to realize what was happening, but then he tried turning the van off and back on, and it started right back up. He thought it a freak occurrence.
Transmission
7 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into reverse, it jerked and reversed rough without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the vehicle was operating as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two occasions where…
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to street Volkswagen located at 8707 pilgrim dr, amarillo, tx 79119, who diagnosed that the engine fly-wheel was damaged and needed to be replaced.…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 11%The problem started with the car not starting on various occasions. I just thought it was a fluke. Then it died on me multiple times while driving various speeds upward of 70 MPH. Everything would turn off and then I would pull over and it would start right back up. Upon those things happening I decided to take it in.…
While driving on a city street roads may have had a little ice on them. Felt a sharp sensation to my outer ankle area (I believe at the time I was in the process of breaking to come to a stop. Shortly after felt the same sensation to my ankle sharp, burning, noticed the sensation felt electrical felt warm sensation…
Air bags
6 complaints · 10%I was parked in my garage. When I started the car, the driver headrest exploded forward. If this had happened while driving it could have caused an accident from the sudden movement and loud noise startling me.
The drivers headrest airbag deployed while sitting in my garage. Engine had just been started. If this had happened while driving it could have startled driver to the point of loss of control.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Volkswagen Routan recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: This could result in a decrease in durability, which may lead to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (39 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); engine (21 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); fuel system (9 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 5, 2012 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Volkswagen Routan?
- It is 4th of 7 Routan model years by number of complaints, with 63 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.