2012 Volkswagen Routan: problems, recalls and reliability

“NHTSA Recall 14v396 is probably the best correction to this issue. My van has shut off mid-driving while my children are in the car with me. It is so dangerous in the road. I can't move the steering wheel. Mechanics can't seem to diagnose the problem because the van doesn't give any computer codes when it would shut down. There are similar complaints and I wonder how Volkswagen knows of this issue and has failed to inform the owners of these vehicles. Chrysler had a similar issue and did a recall. I hope Volkswagen would acknowledge this issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2023

“Several times in the last month the car has stopped running without warning. It just shuts off. This has happened in our subdivision travelling at 20mph and most recently on the highway travelling 65mph. The power steering, brakes, everything go dead when the car just turns off and this could cause a serious accident.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2022

“referenced to recall nhsta Id no:11v-151 same issue happens on newer models, the car key ignition switch does not secure the key and that causes the car shut-down in tje middle of highway or road intermittently! ıt does not give any dashboard warning and no codes! all the lights are being gone and even ac shuts off! when ı push the key the lights come back on and the car can be turned on again. similiar problems are poster on youtube: https://youtu.be/ZESy-MnVPZs”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2021

“While driving along my vehicle will shut completely off. This happens especially on bumpy roads. Sometime the vehicle will shut off right after starting the engine. The only way I can duplicate the problem is to turn the key completely off and restart the vehicle. This problem is very similar to the recall with the 2010 Volkswagens.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2021

“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 been many problems with this engine and I have only 89000 miles. The engine in the vw is a chrysler 3.6 liter pentastar. While fixing that it was found that the oil filter housing unit was leaking and needed to be replaced.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2020

“The vehicle often has difficulty starting and will occasionally shut off while driving. The problem seems similar to the defect described in safety recall 28h1 which only covers year models 2009-2010. I don't remember exactly when the issue started, but it was within the last year, and the problem has become much worse to the point failure while operating occurs much more regularly. Fortunately, I've been able to restart and continue driving so far, but it will shut off when I'm idling, accelerating, or at driving speed. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2020

“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 steering in driveway. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2020