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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Volkswagen Routan Electrical system Problems

Complaints
39about this part
Share
62%of 63 total for the year
Median mileage
77,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, 62% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 2012 Volkswagen Routan has only 87k miles and the car will crank but will not start, and or while driving the car's idle becomes rough and drops to the point of shutting off while driving. My wife drives this car with my daughter and if this car shuts off while driving it can cause accidents and bodily harm to others.”

NHTSA complaint #11163901, filed 2018-12, 87,030 miles

“Takata recall. Having problems starting van on first try. Van will stall a few times before starting. Sometimes the battery is drain. Battery has been tested=good! This has been happening for 3 months. I after reading and researching I come to a conclusion that it is the tipm fuel relay!”

NHTSA complaint #11041088, filed 2017-10, 60,800 miles

“While driving on a city street roads may have had a little ice on them. Felt a sharp sensation to my outer ankle area (I believe at the time I was in the process of breaking to come to a stop. Shortly after felt the same sensation to my ankle sharp, burning, noticed the sensation felt electrical felt warm sensation near hip area... I believe the sensation was electrical currents that penetrated to my ankle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11053442, filed 2017-12, 63,000 miles

“My 2012 vw Routan cuts off while in motion. It is very scary when you are driving down the highway and your car is no longer running. Also sometimes I have to turn the key multiple times before it cranks. Vw needs a fix for this!”

NHTSA complaint #11176601, filed 2019-02, 107,760 miles

“The engine will die as I'm driving down the highway. This causes me to lose power steering, all my digital guages on dash,etc. When I pull over stop and put it in neutral I can then turn the key and it will start right back up. This has happened at least 6 times while driving on the highway or in town but always while moving and for no apparent reason. Possible touched the key chain with my knee but I can't say anything triggered it. First thing I notice is I'm slowing down and have to power steering. …”

NHTSA complaint #11173391, filed 2019-01, 144,729 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2013229%
20123962%
201111163%
201015063%
200915151%

Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan

Engine
21 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Body 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 30, 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