2012 Volkswagen Routan Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 63 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, 11% of the 63 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 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.
“We have noticed that the new car has being problem shifting gears and have been taking it to the shop several times just to be told that they do not see any problems. May 2013 we have received a recall mentioning harsh 1-3 up shifts and error in the torque management software, which will apply more pressure to the clutch. We took it in and were told they have not received the recall letter yet. At some point they agreed to update the software, however that made the problem worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577107, filed 2014-04, 700 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“On Thursday January 6, 2022, I took my car Volkswagen Routan 2012 to the service center because the check engine light went on and the engine revving. The service center took a week for diagnostic it, then they informed me on January 13, after charging me $180 that it needs a new transmission because it stuck in limp mode (see attached report). I asked the customer service to contact Volkswagen representative because this problem seems to be a manufacture problem, especially the car run less than 85000 miles and all maintenance service done on time with Volkswagen dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11451803, filed 2022-02“The transmission on our 2012 VW Routan has completely failed. The car will not go into gear and left my wife in a position where she was stranded in traffic. We are the original owners of this vehicle and have followed the recommended maintenance schedule. The engine in this vehicle is a Chrysler Pentastar V6. (The vehicle was built as a joint venture between VW and Chrysler) According to online research Chrysler has recognized a “fatal flaw” in this engine and has extended warranty to customers in order to cover repairs beyond 100,000 miles. We only have 72,000 on our vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11445020, filed 2021-12“Several times in the last month the car has stopped running without warning. It just shuts off. This has happened in our subdivision travelling at 20mph and most recently on the highway travelling 65mph. The power steering, brakes, everything go dead when the car just turns off and this could cause a serious accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11487850, filed 2022-10Related service bulletins
- 11008861Sep 17, 2024Fluid requirements
- 10238310Jun 21, 2023Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements
- 10214473Jun 14, 2022Auto Trans fluid requirements.
- 10221231Jun 16, 2021PLATE, TORQUE CONVERTER DRIVE For 3.6L with 62TE NOTE: FOR ALL PROMASTER (VF) 3.6L/62TE EQUIPPED VEHICLES: IF THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE FASTENERS ARE…
- 10188558Mar 3, 2021Transmission Fluid requirements updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10126891Oct 25, 2016Update to include model year 2017 applicability.
- 10126867Oct 20, 2016Updated to include an additional model year applicability.
- 10127970Sep 23, 2016Specific diagnostic check to address DTC U0151, after TIPM component replacement. Part identification, location and ensured installation after rplacing Integrated Power Module.
- 10236443Feb 15, 2016Manual transmission noise diagnosing.
- 10236444Feb 2, 2016Automatic transmission fluid requirements.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
39 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsOther or unknown
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 Nov 1, 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