Is the 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN reliable?

The 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN has 115 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (39 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (21 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): SUSPENSION:REAR. Contact any Volkswagen dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN?

The 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN has an EPA rating of 20 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3842. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN is approximately $1,817/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN has 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 302. 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 . There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 3 injuries

115

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Based on 81 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 78K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 20K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 77K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 89K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 80K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 106K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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.

Recalls (1)

SUSPENSION:REAR05/04/2012

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ROUTAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Volkswagen ROUTAN

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

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 2012 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,817

Full coverage / month

$151

Liability only / year

$679

vs US avg

+9%

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 age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1817

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 2012 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 2012 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

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)