The most-reported Routan run is 2V8HW34199R (2009 builds) with 20 complaints, 4.4× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 43% of reports; 2009 is the worst model year at 5.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for Routan model years 2009–2012.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Volkswagen Routan has 153 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every Routan complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2V8HW34199R•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 2V8HW54X59R•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 2V4RW3D17AR•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| 2V8HW54XX9R•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| 2V4RW3D10AR•••••• | 2010 | — | — | |
| 2V4RW3DG7BR•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 2V4RW3DG8BR•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 2V4RW3D18AR•••••• | 2010 | 1 | — | |
| 2V4RW3DG9BR•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 2V8HW54X49R•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 2V8HW34109R•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 2V4RW3D12AR•••••• | 2010 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 141 Routan runs has 12 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Volkswagen Routan the gap between build years is 4.9×: a 2009 car draws 5.9 complaints per run, a 2013 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 6 | — | |
| 2012 | 59 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 161 | 42 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 207 | 38 | 4 | |
| 2009 | 254 | 43 | 6 |
Heaviest year here is 2009 at 5.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2013 at 1.2.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 43% of everything Volkswagen Routan owners report: Electrical System, 410 of 690 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 6 | |
| Engine | 2 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 3 | 2 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 8 recall campaigns on the Volkswagen Routan; the 6 below cover build years 2009 to 2012. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 15V194000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 2009–2010 |
| 12V147000 | Suspension:rear | 2012 |
| 11V151000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 2010 |
| 14V055000 | Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered Axle Assembly | 2009 |
| 16V083000 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive | 2009 |
| 14V396000 | Electrical System:ignition | 2009 |
15V194000 was opened in 2015 on cars built from 2009: 6 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 690 reports on the Volkswagen Routan, 2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Volkswagen Routan | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 690 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 14 (2%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 8 (1.2%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 43 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 66% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Volkswagen Routan share of that is 690 complaints over 153 runs, 0.06% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Volkswagen Routan VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 690 NHTSA complaints from 153 Routan runs and 8 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Routan production run has the most complaints?
2V8HW34199R, a 2009 build, with 20 complaints. The typical Routan run has 4.5.
Which Routan years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2009 is heaviest at 5.9 complaints per run and 2013 lightest at 1.2.
How many Routan complaints involve a crash?
2% of 690 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 8 involved a fire.
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