2009 Volkswagen Routan complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WOULD IMMEDIATELY REOPEN AFTER BEING CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DOOR CHAIN AND AN UNSPECIFIED ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

AFTER LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF DRIVING THE VAN, I NOTICED SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BAD BRAKING HABITS. LAST YEAR, I RODE AN AMERICAN VERSION OF THIS VAN (CHRYSLER OR DODGE), THERE WAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND FOUND OUT THAT REAR ROTORS WERE BAD. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THERE WERE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR IT HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL REPLACE WITH BETTER PARTS. I THINK THE BRAKES WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR THE V8 ENGINE. *TR

TWO TIRES HAVE BLOWN OUT ON MY ROUTAN DUE TO CORRODED VALVE STEMS. THE FIRST TIME, ON 3/16/11, I HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT MY TIRE GO FLAT. BELLE TIRE TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE STEM HAD CORRODED AND POPPED OFF, ESSENTIALLY BLOWING OUT MY TIRE. STUPIDLY, I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED ON 12/31/11. MY 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE ROUTAN ON AN EXPRESSWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 70 MPH.. SHE SAID SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN THE CAR STARTED VEERING. SHE MANAGED TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE ROUTAN AND GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND SHREDDED. AGAIN, BELLE TIRE TOLD US THAT THE VALVE STEM HAD CORRODED AND FELL OFF, BLOWING OUT THE TIRE. A THIRD VALVE STEM AND NUT ON THE ROUTAN IS CRACKED AND CORRODED. THEY ALSO TOLD US THAT GENERAL MOTORS AND FORD HAVE SWITCHED TO RUBBER VALVE STEMS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. CONTACTED VW. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR. THE WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

BRAKE ROTORS WARP VERY QUICKLY ON THIS VEHICLE (WHICH IS ALSO MADE BY CHRYSLER). DURING HEAVY BRAKING AT 40MPH THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES VERY HEAVILY DUE TO WARPED BRAKE ROTORS (HAPPENS UNDER 12000MILES). DON'T SEE HOW ANTILOCK SENSORS CAN WITHSTAND THIS VIBRATION AND GET AN ACCURATE READING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LOCKING THE WHEELS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD INCIDENTS WHERE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 40MPH HOUR THAT I HAVE SKIDDED BUT WAS SMART ENOUGH TO LET OFF ONCE I REALIZED THE ABS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND RE-APPLIED THE BRAKES.VW AND DEALER ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE THE ROTORS WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE AS THEY CLAIM. IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IN A BAD ACCIDENT THINKING THAT ABS BRAKES AND THERE BRAKING SYSTEM IS RELIABLE. HIGH SPEED BRAKING IS NOT SOMETHING YOU DO EVERYDAY BUT IN AN EMERGENCY AND THAT'S WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR BRAKES ARE WARPED AND IN NEED OF REPAIR!!! BUT IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKES TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMER BEFORE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECENT FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

OUR ROUTAN HAS "STARTED ITSELF" MULTIPLE TIMES. IN EACH INSTANCE, WITHOUT INTENTIONALLY STARTING THE IGNITION (KEYS WERE IN PURSE/HANDBAG UNTOUCHED BY HUMAN HANDS), WE HAVE FOUND THE VEHICLE ON AND IDLING. MOST RECENTLY, WE HAPPENED (FORTUITOUSLY) TO FIND THE VEHICLE RUNNING IN OUR ENCLOSED GARAGE. THE GARAGE IS ATTACHED TO OUR HOME AND WE FELT, GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTAL DEATH IF NOT DISCOVERED IN A TIMELY FASHION, WE NEEDED TO ALERT AUTHORITIES OF THE (EITHER) DESIGN FLAW OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. WHILE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS CERTAINLY A STRONG POSSIBILITY (WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH IT IN THIS VEHICLE), EVEN IF THE REMOTE IGNITION KEY WERE "FUNCTIONAL" WE FEEL THE LACK OF BARRIERS TO ACCIDENTALLY STARTING THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. FOR INSTANCE, IF THE KEYS ARE IN A PURSE AND SIMPLY MOVING THE PURSE IS ENOUGH TO START THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY "WORKED", IT IS FAR TOO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS WHAT HAS OCCURRED IN EACH INSTANCE (KEYS IN A PURSE, NO HANDS DIRECTLY TOUCHING THE KEYS). A SAFER DESIGN MIGHT INVOLVE A CODE TO BE PUNCHED IN VS SIMPLY PRESSING ONE BUTTON. GIVEN THAT MANY FAMILIES KEEP THEIR VEHICLE IN AN ATTACHED, ENCLOSED GARAGE, ACCIDENTALLY RUNNING THE VEHICLE COULD BE DEADLY IF CARBON MONOXIDE WERE TO BUILD UP AND ENTER THE HOME. *TR

ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND POWER BRAKING LOST. LIGHTING AND RADIO WERE STILL ON. WAS BARELY ABLE TO VEHICLE TO A STOP BY PUSHING EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKE, BRAKES WERE VERY UNRESPONSIVE. ONCE STOPPED, WAS ABLE TO TURN IGNITION OFF AND RESTART VEHICLE. *TR

WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON I-90 IN NYS. DASHBOARD INDICATED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CHECKED PRESSURE. TIRES SEEMED FINE. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES AND THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY. LUCKILY I WAS IN A SPOT THAT I COULD PULL OVER. PLACED SPARE "DOUGHNUT" ON VAN AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO DUNN TIRE. DUNN TIRE PROFESSIONAL INDICATED THAT THE TPS WAS CORRODED, FELL OFF AND POPPED THE TIRE. THE THREE OTHER TPS ON THE OTHER TIRES WERE ALSO EXAMINED. THE TIRE PROFESSIONAL INDICATED THAT THEY WERE CORRODED AS WELL. *TR

THE 09 VW ROUTAN HAS NEEDED BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED EVERY 9 MONTHS. TO DATE VW HAS COVERED THE COST OF REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY HOWEVER HAVE YET TO MAKE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS.

BOUGHT THE VAN IN SEPT OF 2009 WITH APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES. WERE TOLD IT WAS A DEMO VEHICLE FOR AUTO SHOWS. HAD TO BRING IT BACK WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR BRAKE ISSUES...POUNDING-PULSATING WHEN STOPPING. BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS CONTINUALLY PULSATE. PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN STOPPING ON THE DOWNHILL OR WHEN BRAKES ARE HEATED OR PRESSURED. FEEL LIKE WE LOSE BREAKING ABILITY WHEN BREAKING ON THE DOWNHILL. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO HAVE THE SITUATION CORRECTED. UNDER WARRANTEE AGREEMENT, ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED A COUPLE OF TIMES, PADS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AT VOLKSWAGON'S EXPENSE. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. LAST SERVICE (5/10/11) AT VOLKSWAGON DEALERSHIP, BRAKES WERE INSPECTED AND WE WERE TOLD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS NEEDED FIXING INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR ROTORS RESURFACED, PADS, ETC. BUT EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTEE, THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. VOLKSWAGON HAS RECORDS OF SERVICE TO OUR VAN SO KNOW OF THE ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES FROM THE TIME WE PURCHASED IT. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNER WHO IS EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUE WITH HER BRAKES. WE FEEL THAT VOLKSWAGON NEEDS TO HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS OBVIOUSLY REPLACING ROTORS AND PADS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE USE THIS CAR TO TRAVEL BETWEEN HOMES IN CT AND FL AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM AND SERVICED AT VOLKSWAGON IN AND ALSO SERVICED AT IN CLEARWATER, FL. LAST SERVICE, WHEN THEY REFUSED TO COVER CO

MY WIFE (AND 8 MONTH OLD SON) WERE DRIVING WHEN THE VAN SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VAN. SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION WITH A TRACTOR-TRAILER THAT WAS BEHIND HER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WITH AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHO STATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT COMPATIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE WEIGHT CAPACITY. THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

POWER SLIDING DOORS CAN TRAP CHILD OR PETS IN THEIR PATH. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL DEFECTS WITH THE POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE 2009 VW ROUTAN SE. THE DEFECT HAS BEEN REPAIRED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE, TWICE BEFORE THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL ON THE POWER SLIDING DOORS AND TWICE AFTER THE RECALL. THE DEFECTIVE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE UNLATCHED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE POWER LOCKS ACTIVATE. IN ADDITION, THE SENSORS ON THE POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE FAILED TO RETRACT, RESULTING IN HANDS BEING TRAPPED. LASTLY, I HAVE FOUND THE POWER SLIDING DOORS OPEN UPON RETURN TO THE VEHICLE AFTER CLOSING AND LOCKING IT. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO VW'S LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE CONTACTED VW'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT AS LONG AS THIS DEFECT CAN BE REPAIRED THEY WOULD NOT ADMINISTER A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND FEEL IT POSES A RISK TO MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. *TR

VW ROUTAN 2009-THE BRAKING SYSTEM AFTER 6 WEEKS STARTED TO SHAKE AND AT TIMES I HAVE COME CLOSE TO NOT COMING TO A FULL STOP DUE TO THE VIOLENT VIBRATION IT CAUSED. I AM THINKING THAT IF I DON'T EASE UP ON THE BRAKES THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO EXPLODE. THIS CONTINUES EVEN AFTER REQUESTING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. NOW AT 18000 MILES I AM REQUIRING TO REPLACE ROTORS AND BRAKES. $$$. UNFAIR. WITH ALL THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, I AM TEMPTED TO TRADE IN.. I USE TO LOVE AND TRUST THE VW REPUTATION:(( TIME TO CHANGE!! *TR

ENGINE SHUTDOWN-RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. DURING NORMAL DRIVING SPEED BETWEEN 15-25 MPH, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN (QUITS RUNNING) DURING TURNS (EITHER DIRECTION) . MALE DRIVER OF VEHICLE IS RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT , TRAINED IN EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, DURING FAILURE IT TAKES EXTREME EFFORT TO MAINTAIN PHYSICAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE TO BRING TO A STOP. VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART WHEN SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE MOVING, IGNITION IS ON WHEN FAILURE OCCURS. VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED AFTER STOPPING AND PLACING IN PARK. CAN REOCCUR WITHOUT WARNING . VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF THREE WEEKS AS OF THIS REPORT. FIRST DIAGNOSIS IS VEHICLE ESC SYSTEM (TROUBLE CODE FOR FAULTY SWITCH). NO RESULT. FAILED AGAIN. SECOND TROUBLE CODE INDICATES PROBLEM IN DASH ASSEMBLY - WAITING FOR PARTS EXPECT ANOTHER 6-10 DAYS FOR REPAIRS TO START. ADDITIONAL. WRITERS SPOUSE LOST CONTROL ON 2/24 - INTO DITCH LOST A TIRE. FURTHER INCIDENTS OF ENGINE SHUTDOWN OVER A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS DURING WHICH VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS UNTIL THIS LAST 3 WEEK PERIOD. AGAIN - DURING TURNS . THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF - NO POWER WITH LOST OF STEERING CONTROL- IN TURNS - LIVING IN WEST VIRGINIA - IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE TIRE AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TIRE SENSOR VALVE HAD CORRODED CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VALVE WAS REPLACED WITH A RUBBER VALVE INSTEAD OF THE ALUMINUM VALVE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE VEHICLE WHICH HAD A SENSOR ATTACHED TO IT. THE SENSOR WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

WHILE TRYING TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE, THE VALVE STEMS BROKE OFF ON TWO OF THE TIRES (ONE IN THE FRONT, ONE IN THE REAR) CAUSING THE TIRES TO DEFLATE COMPLETELY WITHIN 10 SECONDS. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THIS INCIDENT WOULD LIKELY HAVE RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE WITH POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AND OTHERS. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VALVES BUT HAS ADVISED ME THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. SINCE MY VEHICLE IS PROBABLY NOT THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED I WILL TRY TO CARRY THIS TO A HIGHER LEVEL THROUGH MY DEALERSHIP. *TR

PREMATURE REAR BRAKE FAILURE. WITH 40K MILES THE REAR CALIPER LOCKED CAUSING BURNING OF THE PADS, AND REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ALL REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS. *TR

BRAKES STARTED SHAKING AT AROUND 3,000 MILES. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE WARPED ROTORS CAUSED A SHIMMY THAT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. THE DEALER TURNED THE ROTORS AND WITHIN 500 MILES THEY EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THE DEALER THEN CHANGED ALL FOUR ROTORS. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 20,000 MILES AND IS SHOWING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR

BAD REAR BRAKES / ROTORS. *LN

THE ROTORS IN MY 2009 VW ROUTAN HAD TO REPLACED AFTER 3900 MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 9930 MILES. THE VAN SHAKES HORRIBLY WHEN BRAKING ON THE FREEWAY OR GOING DOWNHILL - USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ANY SPEED OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED AWARE THAT IT WAS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM. THE ROTORS WILL ALWAYS BECOME WARPED, THE VAN WILL SHAKE, AND WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE VAN IT TO HAVE TO ROTORS ADJUSTED - ACCORDING TO MY RECORDS, ROUGHLY EVERY 4000 MILES. THE VAN HAS 10040 MILES ON IT AND IS 1 YEAR OLD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE REAR DOOR OPENED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE DOOR THEN CLOSED. SHE STATED THAT ONCE A CHILD'S HANDS GOT CAUGHT IN THE REAR DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS SEVEN TIMES; ONCE THE DEALER VACUUMED THE CHANNELS WHERE THE PULLEYS WERE LOCATED. THE DOORS HESITATED AFTER BUT DID NOT STAY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR BRAKE ISSUES AS THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DRUMS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AND THE SEAMS WERE SEPARATING ON THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WERE FIVE RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE BUT THE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

2009 VW ROUTAN, ELECTRIC DOOR FAILURE. DOORS FAIL TO STOP, THERE'S NO SENSOR, CLOSING ON YOUR HAND OR WHATEVER. ALSO RANDOMLY FAIL TO CLOSE, CLOSE HALF WAY, RE-OPEN, OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNSAFE. WE HAVE TWO SMALL DOGS, IF ONE OF THE DOGS ACCIDENTALLY STEPS THRU THE DOOR WHILE IT'S CLOSING, IT WILL CLOSE ON THE DOG. I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR IF I HAD KNOWN. I'M THINKING OF HAVING THE ELECTRIC DOORS DISENGAGED. READ THAT OTHER OWNERS HAD DOOR CATCH FIRE. I WANT TO RETURN THIS CAR. *TR

BRAKING IS INADEQUATE AND IS LIKELY TO FAIL AS BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED AFTER LESS THAN A 8,000 MILES. WARPED ROTORS COULD AFFECT ABS SYSTEM AND LEAD TO MORE ACCIDENTS. VW HAS REPLACED ROTORS WITH SAME PART NUMBER SO PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF SHORTLY AFTER INSTALLATION. VW NEEDS TO IMPROVE THEIR BRAKES FOR THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THE SAFETY OF THE TYPICAL CUSTOMER IS USUALLY A FAMILY OF FOUR OR MORE. A RECENT SEARCH ON GOOGLE SHOWS THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS TO VW WHO CONTINUES TO SIMPLY REPLACE THE PART WITH THE SAME ONE. THEY NEED TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND ENGINEER A BETTER BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THIS VEHICLE OR BUY BETTER QUALITY BRAKING COMPONENTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE LOCKED THE DOORS, THE CHILDREN WERE UNABLE TO EXIT FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DURING LIGHT/MODERATE BRAKING- THIS HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE AT A VERY EARLY MILEAGE. AFTER 16,000 MILES THE NOISE AND VIBRATION HAS BECOME VERY ANNOYING- THE WHOLE VEHICLE VIBRATES. *TR

SHAKING BRAKES REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. ROTOR REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BRAKES REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE. <5000 MILES LATER, SAME PROBLEM - DEALERSHIP TELLING US TO REPLACE ROTERS AND BRAKES, AGAIN. IRONICALLY, THE ROUTAN THAT THE DEALER USED TO SHUTTLE ME TO AND FROM THE SERVICE STATION WAS SHAKING WHILE BRAKING... *TR

ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, 2010, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PLACED THE 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN IN PARK. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHILE I FINISHED UP A PHONE CALL THROUGH THE BLUETOOTH AND PROCEEDED TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO WHILE CLEANING OUT THE VAN. I WALKED AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE LEANING IN TO CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I NEEDED TO GO INSIDE THE HOUSE, SO, STANDING OUTSIDE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VAN I REACHED ACROSS THE SEAT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVE THE KEYS. AS SOON AS I DID THIS, THE VAN JOLTED BACKWARD AND CONTINUED TO TRAVEL DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. MY UPPER BODY WAS STILL INSIDE THE CAR. I TRIED TO DEPRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT HAND WHILE I HELD TIGHTLY ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY LEFT. I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BUT I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL SO THAT THE VAN CRASHED INTO A TREE ON MY PROPERTY, INSTEAD OF GOING INTO THE STREET. WHEN THE VAN HIT THE TREE, THE FORCE THREW ME OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY MY HUSBAND WHERE THE FOUND THAT I HAD BROKEN 2 RIBS, SPRAINED MY LEFT SHOULDER AND SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE. I ALSO SUFFERED SEVERAL CUTS AND SCRAPES AND NUMEROUS BRUISES. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR

MY BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE GONE OUT TWICE IN MY BRAND NEW VW ROUTAN. ONCE AT 5,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 10,000 MILES. IT HAS HAD A TON OF OTHER PROBLEMS AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. MULTIPLE RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT EACH SERVICE AS WELL. ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKING AND BRAKES NOT WORKING CORRECTLY BOTH TIMES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR. *TR

2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. 1) NORMAL VEHICLE, 22000 MILES, PUT AWAY IN ATTACHED GARAGE AT NIGHT. BEDROOMS ABOVE GARAGE. 2) BEFORE GOING TO BED I CHECKED TO BE SURE GARAGE DOOR WAS CLOSED. I FOUND VEHICLE IN GARAGE RUNNING. 3) VEHICLE HAS REMOTE START KEY. KEY SHOULD ONLY ACTIVATE PUSHING FIRST DOOR LOCK BUTTON AND THEN REMOTE START BUTTON TWICE. CHECKING SYSTEM I FOUND ONLY PUSHING REMOTE START BUTTON WILL START THE VEHICLE UNLOCKED. THIS IS A POSSIBLE DEADLY INCIDENT AS CARBON MONOXIDE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE KILLED MY WHOLE FAMILY AS WE SLEPT HAD I NOT BEEN THOROUGH IN CHECKING THE GARAGE DOOR. A CHILD COULD PUSH THE BOTTOM OR IT CAN BE PUSHED INADVERTENTLY IN A POCKET OR IF SOMETHING WERE SET ON IT. I KNOW THIS NOW WE ARE SAFE BUT OTHER PEOPLE ARE BOUND TO ENCOUNTER THIS INCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IN THAT TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 6K MILES AND IT WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS FIXED. THERE WAS EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK, FIRST THEY DIDN'T HAVE A TECH QUALIFIED TO FIX IT SO THEY HAD TO WAIT ON AN OUT OF STATE TECH TO COME IN. PARTS WERE BACKORDERED AND WHEN THEY CAME IN THE "FIX" DIDN'T WORK SO THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOW AT 15K MILES I STARTED HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR POWER FOLDING SEAT WAS BROKEN. I RELUCTANTLY TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS ASSURED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THAT WAS A MONTH AGO, AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED, THEY ARE WAITING ON PARTS TO COME IN. VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER CARE IS NO HELP, THEY SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON IT BUT THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE DONE SO FAR IS APOLOGIZE. *TR

BESIDES THE BRAKES/ROTORS NOW GOING ON THEIR 4TH SET AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD, THE FRONT BUMPER LOOKS LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, MANY SMALL OTHER PROBLEMS, THIS MORNING MY SON HAD HIS FINGER CAUGHT IN THE SLIDING DOOR AND THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN, IT JUST KEPT TRYING TO SHUT ON HIM. THIS VAN IS HORRIBLE! THE DOOR HAS ACTED UP BEFORE, BUT NEVER LIKE THIS. THE DECALS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR WERE COMING OFF AT ONE POINT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TAIL LIGHT ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED. WATER IN THE FRONT LIGHT. JUST TOO MANY THINGS FOR A NEW CAR. *TR

MY WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS WERE DRIVING IN OUR 2009 ROUTAN TODAY. MY WIFE SMELLED SMOKE AND NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM OUR RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR. MY WIFE PULLED OFF QUICKLY INTO A GAS STATION WHERE THE ATTENDANT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE CAUSED THE WINDOW TO EXPLODE; THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE WITHIN MINUTES OF EXITING THE CAR. FIRE CREW CAME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS SLIDING DOOR NOT CLOSING PROPERLY (ELECTRONICALLY) AND HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH OUR RIGHT SLIDING DOOR ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. UPON INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED A RECALL FOR 2009 ROUTANS ISSUED ON FRIDAY. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY, OTHERS MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND EXPEDITED! THE VEHICLE IS WITH THE DEALER. I WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON HOW THEY CORRECTED THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE SENSOR FAILED AND HER CHILDS FINGERS AND PART OF HIS BODY WERE JAMMED IN THE DOOR. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO FAILURES IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THEY CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

THE REAR TAILGATE OF MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN OPENED UP AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND IN MOTION WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SHOULD NOT DO EVEN IF THE POWER TAILGATE BUTTON IS PRESSED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WHICH RESULTED IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERING UPON CONTACT WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPENING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND NOTHING WAS FOUND IN THE DIAGNOSTICS THAT POINTED TO A FAILURE OF ANY SORT. THERE WERE PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR NOT REPORTED TO THE DEALER, INCLUDING WITH THE TAILGATE, THAT WERE NOT AS SERIOUS AND THAT CORRECTED THEMSELVES AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR. *TR

HEATING/VENTILATION/AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL PANEL IS MOUNTED LOW IN THE CENTER DASH AREA AND IS ILLUMINATED IN BLUE, MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN DAYLIGHT. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS/HER EYES OFF THE ROAD WHEN MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SETTINGS AND CAN RESULT IN A CRASH. THE 2010 MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE USES WHITE LIGHTING, CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. 2009 MODELS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR A RETROFIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 10 MPH THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT EFFORT. THE ANTI-SKID WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 9,000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/08/09

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN THE ONE MONTH OLD VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY FELT LIKE SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT. THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. I GOT IN THE CAR AGAIN TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THERE IT STAYED FOR 13 DAYS. THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS WERE REPAIRED/REPLACE: FAULTY TRANSMISSION SENSOR, REPLACED SENSOR. ALSO, ABS STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ERRATIC PERFORMANCE. FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR. *TR

I HAVE A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE THIRD ROW IS A BENCH SEAT, WHICH HAS LATCH COMPATIBILITY IN ONE PLACE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT A CHILD SAFETY SEAT (BOOSTER OR INFANT SEAT) CAN BE INSTALLED USING THE LATCH SYSTEM IN THE CENTER SEAT OF THE THIRD ROW. WHEN A BOOSTER SEAT OR AN INFANT SEAT ARE, IN FACT, INSTALLED IN THIS THIRD ROW, THE CHILD IS ACTUALLY POSITIONED IN BETWEEN THE OUTBOARD SEAT AND THE CENTER SEAT, DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE LATCH "BARS", AND THE CHILD'S HEAD IS IN BETWEEN THE CENTER AND OUTBOARD HEADREST, AND IS NOT PROTECTED BY EITHER HEADREST. THIS ALSO MEANS THAT NEITHER THE CENTER SEATBELT OR OUTBOARD SEATBELT FITS ACROSS MY CHILD AS IT SHOULD - IT IS NOT ACROSS HIS SHOULDER. I TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL VW AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN DIRECTLY; WHEN I DID, I WAS PUT IN TOUCH WITH A MEMBER OF THE SAFETY TEAM WHO COMPLETELY DISMISSED MY CONCERNS AND TOLD ME THAT IF MY LATCH DIDN'T SEEM TO BE IN THE CORRECT POSITIONS, THEN I SHOULD JUST NOT USE THE LATCH. WHEN I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT WOULD TAKE MY CONCERNS SERIOUSLY (THE CHILD IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE SEATBELT OR HEADREST WHEN USING THE LATCH IN THE THIRD ROW AT ALL!!!), I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE TO SPEAK TO AN THAT ALL THE ROUTANS WERE MADE THAT WAY AS A "CONVENIENCE" FOR FOLDING DOWN THE SEATS. *TR

MY 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SLIPPED INTO REVERSE WHILE I WAS BEHIND IT TODAY RUNNING ME OVER AND CAUSING A LEG INJURY. *TR

BACK UP CAMERA ON THE VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN MINIVAN IS UNUSABLE. VIDEO HAS NO CONTRAST, LOW COLOR LEVEL, LACKS DETAIL, WRONG COLORS, ETC. THIS CAMERA IS A HAZARD FOR ANYONE THAT TRIES TO USE IT FOR BACKING UP. SAME CAMERA AS ON ALL CHRYSLER MINIVANS. ADDITIONALLY WHEN THE VAN IS EQUIPPED WITH THE CAMERA, THEY DELETE THE BACKUP SENSORS, LEAVING NO AIDS FOR DETERMINING IF THE BLIND SPOTS ARE CLEAR. *TR

I AM WRITING YOU DUE TO AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO MY CHILD CONCERNING THE VW ROUTON MINIVAN. WE WERE LOOKING AT ONE ON DISPLAY AT HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE THIS PAST SATURDAY, THE 4TH OF JULY., 2009. THE BACK HATCH WAS OPEN AND MY 7 YEAR OLD FOUND BUTTONS THAT POWERED THE LAST ROW OF SEATS. THESE BUTTONS LIFTED THE SEATS UP AND DOWN. TO MY HORROR I ALL OF SUDDEN HEARD MY 3 YEAR OLD SCREAMING. HE WAS STANDING IN THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE LAST ROW OF SEATS WITH HIS FOOT LODGED IN BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE FLOOR. THE POWER LIFT WAS STILL RUNNING AND SMASHING HIS FOOT. THERE WAS NO SENSOR THAT STOPPED THE POWER SEAT. I FEEL THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A CHILD'S HEAD GOT LODGED IN THIS MECHANISM. LUCKILY MY CHILD HAD CROCK SHOES ON AND WAS ABLE TO PULL HIS FOOT OUT OF HIS SHOE BUT THERE WAS QUITE AN INDENTATION MARK FROM WHERE THE SEAT WAS PUSHING ON HIS FOOT. THE DOORS IN MINIVANS HAVE SENSORS--I BELIEVE THESE POWER LIFT BACK ROW SEATS SHOULD HAVE SOME SORT OF SENSOR. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE A CHILD GET KILLED BY THIS. *TR

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN SE WITH BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS. OUR 4 YEAR OLD SON WENT TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE, AND AT THE SAME TIME MY HUSBAND WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PUSHING THE "DOOR OPEN" BUTTON ON THE KEY. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE DOOR ENDED UP CLOSING COMPLETELY, AND LATCHING, ON MY SON'S HAND. IT ALSO WOULD ONLY OPEN ONCE MY HUSBAND FORCEFULLY PULLED THE DOOR OPEN. OF COURSE HIS HAND IMMEDIATELY SWELLED UP AND WE VISITED THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, HAD XRAY'S TAKEN, AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENCE OF A FRACTURE. WHEN WE REPORTED THIS DIRECTLY TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO BRING IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE. THE RESULT? "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR VEHICLE." THEY WENT ON TO EXPLAIN TO US THAT THE ANTI PINCH PROTECTION IS WORKING, BUT IS NOT DESIGNED TO SENSE SUCH A SMALL OBJECT. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA ASSURED US THAT THIS MATTER WAS NOT TAKEN LIGHTLY, AND THAT THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE DOOR WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN WE ADDRESSED ANY FURTHER ACTIONS, IE REPLACEMENT OF DOOR, VEHICLE, OR TERMINATION OF OUR LEASE AGREEMENT, WE WERE TOLD, "WE ARE SORRY FOR THIS UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT, BUT ACCIDENTS HAPPEN AND THERE IS NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO FOR YOU." WHEN WE EXPRESSED OUR CONCERN THAT OUR 4 YEAR OLD SON IS PETRIFIED OF OUR CAR, AND THAT HE REFUSES TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE BY HIMSELF, LET ALONE OPEN THE DOOR ALONE, WE WERE TOL