With 6 recalls and 293 complaints, the 2009 Volkswagen Routan rates as elevated on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

293

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

14V0550002014-11-02

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

15V1940002015-01-04

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

16V0830002016-11-02

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

View all 6 recalls

14V3960002014-01-07

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

09V2440002009-01-07

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

10V2520002010-10-06

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED LATCH AND A FIRE WITHIN THE REAR SLIDING DOOR COULD OCCUR.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2009 Volkswagen Routan's biggest weak point? ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. It leads 293 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Electrical System82

02Engine26

03Electrical System,engine15

04Service Brakes, Hydraulic13

05Service Brakes11

293 total across 1 model years (2009–2009)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Volkswagen Routan Fuel Economy

18–20mpg combined

16-17city

23-25hwy

$3,400-$3,750/yr

Fuel economy for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan ranges from 18 to 20 MPG combined across 2 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim

Routan FWD - Automatic 6-spd

20mpg

4.0L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city25 hwy~$3,400/yr-1/10 Poor

Routan FWD - Automatic 6-spd

18mpg

3.8L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

16 city23 hwy~$3,750/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2009 Volkswagen Routan

16States

45%in top 3

The biggest cluster of inventory is in Florida (23%), but the remaining listings are spread across 15 other states nationwide.

FLFlorida

723%

ILIllinois

413%

TXTexas

310%

NJNew Jersey

26%

NYNew York

26%

WIWisconsin

26%

PAPennsylvania

26%

DEDelaware

13%

MIMichigan

13%

MNMinnesota

13%

MOMissouri

13%

ALAlabama

13%

OHOhio

13%

OKOklahoma

13%

CACalifornia

13%

CTConnecticut

13%

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2009.

Buying a 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Routan a good car to buy?

The 2009 Volkswagen Routan has 6 recalls on record. There are 6 recalls on record, so check that they've been completed before buying. The most commonly reported issue area is electrical system, which is worth inspecting during a test drive. Review the safety data and pricing breakdown above.

Are there recalls on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

There are 6 documented recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

Fuel economy ranges from 18 to 20 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $292 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Routan?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the number-one complaint area for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, based on 293 NHTSA filings. During a test drive, pay extra attention to this system. See the known issues section for the full breakdown.