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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2009 Volkswagen Routan Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
20about this part
Share
7%of 294 total for the year
Median mileage
65,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan, 7% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 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.

“I driving last month 47 MPH and my driving sliding door open and my 8 years girls was dear and she scare when the door open when I driving ,, and when I stop the door not want to close automatic..that scare me and my wife... …”

NHTSA complaint #10730842, filed 2015-06, 52,577 miles

“We were driving the vehicle when all of the sudden it stalled! There is no check light on and when it does this we lost all power breaking and steering. This almost happened to us around an elevated corner luckily we had just past the curve when we lost all power. In reading this is a common problem on the town and country Routan grand caravan and all associated models. Something should be done due to the danger and potential risk to human life! We bought this van to keep our children safe not have to worry of it will loose power steering at 30 MPH in a canyon corner!”

NHTSA complaint #11074207, filed 2018-02, 120,000 miles

“*sometimes the vehicle will not start for no apparent reason.vw service dept. Cannot detect an issue. *engine light comes on intermittently while driving-vw cannot detect anything wrong.* alarms go off but no signal showing on the dashboard.*power windows and seats work intermittently- *found vehicle's sliding door wide open I parking lot, twice. * have also found windows open. Our lift gate (trunk) opened while driving on the highway.* vehicle failed to shift,while driving, revved and would not reset until pulling over and turning off the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10897474, filed 2016-08, 65,000 miles

“Where to begin with this car. All 4 valve stems needed to be replaced. I was losing pressure in my tires, and mechanic said they were corroded. Then my tiptronics did not work, also when you shifted in to gear, it didn't want to move. Had the whole shifting lever component replaced. Lots of trouble with the doors not opening right, then when closing the sensor doesn't always work. Almost had my kids get caught in the door. If the car is even on the slightest slope the door won't close. While driving down the road at 55mph the car just shut off. No power steering! Very dangerous. …”

NHTSA complaint #10522951, filed 2013-07, 63,000 miles

“I have had my Volkswagen Routan for about a year and a half. In that time the transmission has gone out twice now. The first time was at 6k miles and it was at the dealer for 2 months before it was fixed. There was every excuse in the book, first they didn't have a tech qualified to fix it so they had to wait on an out of state tech to come in. Parts were backordered and when they came in the fix didn't work so they had to order a new transmission. Now at 15k miles I started having more problems with the transmission and the rear power folding seat was broken. …”

NHTSA complaint #10352967, filed 2010-08, 15,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2013229%
2012711%
20111911%
2010229%
2009207%

Other parts of the 2009 Volkswagen Routan

Electrical system
151 complaints
Engine
78 complaints
Brakes
56 complaints
Steering
34 complaints
Body and structure
18 complaints
Other or unknown
17 complaints
Electronic stability control
12 complaints
Wheels
12 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Latches, 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