BestCarRank
Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Volkswagen ROUTAN has 302 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 302. The most common issue is electrical problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: driving down i70 west bound going 70 mph in indiana and engine turned off lost power every light on dash came on and the was a blinking red light in center of dash. some how i made it over to the edge of the road and put it in park. the van would not start. i noticed i was on the white line and. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 5 crash reports 27 injuries

302

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

111 complaints
37%
  • • DRIVING DOWN I70 WEST BOUND GOING 70 MPH IN INDIANA AND ENGINE TURNED OFF LOST POWER EVERY LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND THE WAS A BLINKING RED LIGHT IN CENTER OF DASH. SOME HOW I MADE IT OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE VAN WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED I WAS ON THE WHITE LINE AND
  • • I HAVE A FEW CONCERNS ABOUT AN ACCIDENT MY WIFE WAS IN ON 12/06/2012. SHE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER DRIVER. SHE HAD THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THEY WERE ON A HIGHWAY AND THEY WERE GOING 55MPH AND THE DRIVER THAT HIT THEM HEAD ON WAS GOING AROUND 20MPH ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT. THER
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DOOR MOTOR FAILED AND WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING. THE VE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“DRIVING DOWN I70 WEST BOUND GOING 70 MPH IN INDIANA AND ENGINE TURNED OFF LOST POWER EVERY LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND THE WAS A BLINKING RED LIGHT IN CENTER OF DASH. SOME HOW I MADE IT OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE VAN WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED I WAS ON THE WHITE LINE AND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Based on 253 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 69K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
30
30-60K
50
60-100K
124
100-150K
43
150-200K
4
200K+
2

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 48K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 71K mi · 95 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
19
60-100K
49
100-150K
17
150-200K
2
200K+
1

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 40 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
9
60-100K
15
100-150K
9
150-200K
2
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 73K mi · 34 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
6
60-100K
21
100-150K
6
150-200K
0
200K+
1

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 66K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
4
60-100K
10
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 71K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
9
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2011 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Live EIA prices
Per year
$3,807
Per month
$317
Per mile
31.7¢
kWh/mi
1.69

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,679
Full coverage / month
$140
Liability only / year
$679
vs US avg
0%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1679

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volkswagen ROUTAN Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
40K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
40K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
40K mi

TSI turbo engines require VW-approved 502/504 spec synthetic oil. DSG transmission service (if equipped) every 40K miles.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volkswagen New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
7 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Volkswagen. If you're buying a used 2011 ROUTAN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volkswagen dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2011 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000
Clean Cars 4 All
ColoradoUp to $5,000
Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit
ConnecticutUp to $4,250
CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)
DelawareUp to $2,500
Clean Vehicle Rebate
IllinoisUp to $4,000
Illinois EV Rebate Program
MarylandUp to $3,000
Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles
MassachusettsUp to $3,500
MOR-EV
New JerseyUp to $4,000
Charge Up New Jersey
New YorkUp to $2,000
Drive Clean Rebate
OregonUp to $7,500
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate
PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000
Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program
Rhode IslandUp to $2,500
DRIVEEV
TexasUp to $2,500
Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive
VermontUp to $5,000
Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles
See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 302 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: DRIVING DOWN I70 WEST BOUND GOING 70 MPH IN INDIANA AND ENGINE TURNED OFF LOST POWER EVERY LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND THE WAS A BLINKING RED LIGHT IN CENTER OF DASH. SOME HOW I MADE IT OVER TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE VAN WOULD NOT START. I NOTICED I WAS ON THE WHITE LINE AND

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: HAD THE VAN LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AND TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE - BRAKES SQUEAKING AND STEERING PULLING TO RIGHT W/ONLY 4K MILES. FOUND OUT STEERING BOOT WAS "DISINTEGRATED" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH STEERING PUMP AND RELATED PARTS. DEALERSHIP HAD NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE DAMAGE OCCURRED

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: 7/2/14 - AFTER BEING IDLE FOR 1HR THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL REPEAT ATTEMPTS IT DID. IT WOULD CRANK AS NORMAL, NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. 8/8/14 - AFTER 3HRS OF HIGHWAY DRIVING WE STOPPED TO FILL UP WITH GAS. ECO FUEL NEVER USED THE SAME CRANK ISSUE OCCURRED AS 7/2. 8

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: MY SISTER BOUGHT A VW ROUTAN SE 2011 SIX MONTHS AGO. RECENTLY, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A "SAFETY PROBLEM" WITH THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE TRYING PARK IT ON A (STEEP DOWNHILL) BETWEEN TWO CARS IN SAN FRANCISCO. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT IN REVERSE AND THE DRIVER IS BACKING UP TO PARK BETWEEN T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Volkswagen ROUTAN — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2013
8Excellent Reliability
2012
115Average
2011
302Below Average
2010
359Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
302
Recalls
0
Fire reports
3
Crash reports
5
Injury reports
27
Segment avg
302

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Compare With

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