BestCarRank
Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN has 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: 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 .

2 crash reports 3 injuries

115

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

39 complaints
34%
  • • 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
  • • 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 ABL
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

21 complaints
18%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURN THE STARTER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECALL IF A WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAG
  • • FOR PAST 2 YEARS I NOTICED MY THE VAN WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START. FIGURED IT WAS A FLUKE. IN PAST YEAR, MY VAN HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR NOT STARTING AFTER 10-15 TRIES. OF COURSE, AS SOON AS IT ARRIVES THE GET IT TO START. THANKFUL UNDER WARRANTY. NOV 2017 WIRING HARNESS AND STARTER REPLACED
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURN THE STARTER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

9 complaints
8%
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FILLER CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V
  • • 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!
  • • HAVE HAD THE COILS REPLACED AND THE SPARK PLUGS AND OTHER WORK DONE AND THE CAR STILL SHAKES ON IDLING. VERY FRUSTRATING AND THIS IS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON? WHEN IS THE RECALL HAPPENING, THERE ARE TONS OF ISSUES TO OTHER ROUTANS!
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FILLER CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

8 complaints
7%
  • • 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
  • • 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 ABL
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURN THE STARTER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

7 complaints
6%
  • • 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
  • • 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 ABL
  • • VEHICLE SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY ON STOPPING FROM VARIETY OF SPEEDS. THIS IS FELT IN THE BRAKE PEDDLE, STEERING COLUMN, STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE SHAKES FRONT TO BACK AND SIDE TO SIDE ON BRAKING. VEHICLE STILL APPEARS TO BRAKE ADEQUATELY, THOUGH SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, DOES
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 115 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: 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

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

  • ☐
    ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURN THE STARTER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO

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

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FILLER CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V

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

  • ☐
    STEERING: 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

    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 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

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

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
115
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
3
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN

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