2012 Volkswagen Routan Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 10%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 148,735miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, 10% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 148,735 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was parked in my garage. When I started the car, the driver headrest exploded forward. If this had happened while driving it could have caused an accident from the sudden movement and loud noise startling me.”
NHTSA complaint #11299211, filed 2020-01, 152,000 miles“The drivers headrest airbag deployed while sitting in my garage. Engine had just been started. If this had happened while driving it could have startled driver to the point of loss of control.”
NHTSA complaint #11319996, filed 2020-04, 145,470 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11423852, filed 2021-07“I was in a pretty bad car accident 4/5/2019 with 6 kids in the car and none of the airbags deployed.. We were I motion when car infront of me tried to avoid the car in front of him. I saw him and I tried to avoid him so my left front hit his rear right side. None of the airbags deployed and now I have a horrible concussion in the hospital!”
NHTSA complaint #11196628, filed 2019-04“The ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which then depowers various key safety systems including, but not limited to, air bags, power steering, and power braking. This has happened to me several times including while driving on the interstate and in traffic. I was able to pull over but it is very difficult when power steering and power breaking goes out. I had children in the vehicle several times when this has happened. Per Volkswagon website, I removed all keychains or anything that would cause the key fob to be weighed down. …”
NHTSA complaint #11439049, filed 2021-11Related service bulletins
- 11030826Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Airbag Issues.
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
39 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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