2009 Volkswagen Routan Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 12%of 294 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,100miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, 12% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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“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“Completely lost control of the vehicle (no power, no power steering) while driving 45mph on a 7 lane major street. Thankfully it was in the early morning hours and I was able to glide across the intersection to a side street where I turned the vehicle off and on and it resumed power. This has happened at least 4 more times since then, usually while idling at a red light.”
NHTSA complaint #10519722, filed 2013-06, 200 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“The clockspring in the steering wheel went out. At 28 miles the traction control turns on and the car starts braking even if the car is not skidding. Very dangerous. Our mechanic told us the clockspring is a common problem with both the Volkswagen routon and the chrysler town and country. I found one report on the internet that said Volkswagen started servicing the clockspring as of 2010 routon models but did nothing for the 2009 routon.”
NHTSA complaint #10690482, filed 2015-02, 41,600 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10181413Oct 2, 2020Mandatory fastener.
- 10243023Sep 15, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243009May 5, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242347May 5, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243001Jan 20, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan
151 complaintsEngine
78 complaintsBrakes
56 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