2009 Volkswagen Routan Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 19%of 294 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,858miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, 19% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,858 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After my van has been sitting for a while and it been warmed up for 15 minutes. With in the first 2 to 5 miles of driving the traction control light will come on and the van will shut off and the steering wheel and break will fail. Then I have to turn the key to off and restart the van and it sometime repeat itself if I'm stuck in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10807881, filed 2015-12, 105,376 miles“Shortly after buying this van the van would shake when brakes were engaged, took it to the dealership but they said nothing was wrong with the brakes. I took it to another place for verification and was told my brakes were bad, the rotors were warped. Went back to dealer and told mgr about the second opinion so he had the brakes replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10620752, filed 2014-08, 40,000 miles“The engine turned to off while I was driving and depowered power steering and brakes. At that point I restarted the car and was able to drive. Took the car immediately to vw dealer, kept the car for 24 hours, and they could not replicate the incident so nothing was done by them. This happened again at 93000 miles on august 8, 2014.”
NHTSA complaint #10621954, filed 2014-08, 91,000 miles“Five times in the past 6 months the power in the van basically turns off. The steering becomes next to impossible and the brakes become extremely tight to the point you can't even use them. It is terrifying to have zero control over your car considering I have 4 children. It has happened while I was going only 30mph and also when I was going 45 MPH. It happens when I'm going straight and has also happened while turning. Since the latest issue I refuse to drive anywhere that I can't take back roads to.”
NHTSA complaint #11364690, filed 2020-10, 119,000 miles“We have had brake problems since we bought this vehicle. The brakes wobble and make noise. It started with less than 15,000 miles on the car. We have had to replace pads and rotors several times. Once under warranted and a few times after. We have had to change the hearings as well as the brakes and rotors. The problem is primarily with the front wheels and brakes. We are having the same problem again. The internet is full of complaints about this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10885224, filed 2016-07, 15,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186589Jan 26, 2021A/C requirements, update to title.
- 10181413Oct 2, 2020Mandatory fastener.
- 10180603Sep 25, 2020Antilock brake function test direction.
- 10180101Sep 4, 2020Antilock brake function test direction.
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan
151 complaintsEngine
78 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsWheels
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Volkswagen Routan
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology