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SteeringPart report

2012 Volkswagen Routan Steering Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
13%of 63 total for the year
Median mileage
79,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, 13% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,500 miles.

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.

“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

“I've been experiencing major safety problems with my 2012 vw Routan lately. On several occasions, while driving, my van has completely shut down. The dashboard, engine, power steering, everything completely turns off and I am unable to do anything until the vehicle comes to a complete stop and I start the engine again. The first time it shut down, I was driving in the city driving at 35 MPH. Out of no where, the engine shut down, simultaneously the dashboard turned off and I lost all control of my vehicle until it came to a complete stop and I was able to turn it back on. …”

NHTSA complaint #11173298, filed 2019-01, 95,000 miles

“10,000 miles, full warranty, bought new less than a year ago. While driving approximately 55 miles per hour on the highway with my mother and two children in the vehicle, the van lost all power mid-drive. Brakes, steering, everything stopped functioning. Thankfully it was late and my husband was able to coast to a stop. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life. This had happened once before, but not at that speed, and we'd assumed it an anomaly. We were heading out of town, but concerned for safety we turned around. …”

NHTSA complaint #10510839, filed 2013-05, 10,300 miles

“Had to replace right rear wheel bearing at approximately 60,000 miles. Had to replace left rear wheel bearing at 80,500 miles. Both wheel bearings were making grinding noises. Rack and pinion hydraulic line cracked at elbow and had to be replaced. Rack and pinion problem occurred while driving close to home. Lost all steering in driveway.”

NHTSA complaint #11327207, filed 2020-06, 79,500 miles

“My husband was at a light and pressed the gas to go, when he noticed that he entire vehicle had turned off. Steering, brakes, and all electrical. It took him a while to realize what was happening, but then he tried turning the van off and back on, and it started right back up. He thought it a freak occurrence.”

NHTSA complaint #10510832, filed 2013-05, 10,735 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012813%
2011116%
20102310%
20093412%

Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan

Electrical system
39 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsAir bags
6 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