Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2014GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.0× usual
0 serious complaints of 2; 0.0× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2014 vehicles.
2 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2014 trims and features
2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.1× usual
5 serious complaints of 7, the most about engine (3) and power train (2); 0.1× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2013 vehicles.
What owners report
“The temperature gauge constantly moving to 220 thermostat water pump and sensor was changed with new antifreeze. Its still doing yhe same thing. I notived several people are having the same problem. It doesn't matter if I am stationary or moving ii will move.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jun 2019
7 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2013 trims and features
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
46 serious complaints of 63, the most about engine (21) and fuel system (8); 1.0× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 1 recall.
What owners report
“The car will just shut down while driving. No warning, no lights, no check engine, no power steering or power breaks (I have to put all I got into trying to steer the car to just pull over!). I have to bring the car to a complete stop and restart it. It has happened about 3 times.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jun 2019
“Vehicle has experienced stalling, engine shutdown, and difficulty starting multiple times. Engine has now stalled more frequently at both low speeds and while driving on highway. Each time, rpm's have gone to zero and it's completely lost power to steering.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Sep 2020
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Left Cylinder Head Limited Warranty Extension ? (VWP-15, Jan 2015)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension for Left Cylinder Head Certain 2011 - 2012 Model Year Volkswagen Routan with 3.6L Engine (Engine Code CJRA) (Customer, Feb 2015)
- Extended coverage VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION: Volkswagen announced a warranty extension program to cover the High Pressure Fuel Pump on 2009-2012 model year TDI Clean Diesel Engine vehicles (Dealer, Apr 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
63 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
2011CAREFULSerious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and fuel system Extended coverage
117 serious complaints of 175, the most about engine (48) and fuel system (39); 2.5× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2011 volkswagen routan. While driving approximately 70 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the totally integrated power module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Dec 2016
“Routan didn't start after key turned and started to turn-over. It would take several attempts for the van to start. Mechanic determined the fuel pump was dipping below thresholds, so replaced the fuel pump. The van started the next few times, but continued with the same startup problem again.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Oct 2016
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Left Cylinder Head Limited Warranty Extension ? (VWP-15, Jan 2015)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension for Left Cylinder Head Certain 2011 - 2012 Model Year Volkswagen Routan with 3.6L Engine (Engine Code CJRA) (Customer, Feb 2015)
- Extended coverage VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION: Volkswagen announced a warranty extension program to cover the High Pressure Fuel Pump on 2009-2012 model year TDI Clean Diesel Engine vehicles (Dealer, Apr 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
175 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
2010AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly engine and brakes Extended coverage
119 serious complaints of 240, the most about engine (45) and brakes (23); 2.6× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2010 vehicles. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“Tlthe contact owns a 2010 volkswagen routon. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the engine would shut off without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was exhibiting the same failures as mentioned in recall nhtsa campaign number: 11v151000 (electrical system).”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2015
“My van shut down while driving for the fourth time. I was slowing down to a stop at a light and the engine lost power and I lost power steering and brakes. This has been happening much more frequently now than before (with 3 times in the last month). My van is not included in win module recall as the vin is a couple of digits off.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the brakes, Dec 2018
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION: Volkswagen announced a warranty extension program to cover the High Pressure Fuel Pump on 2009-2012 model year TDI Clean Diesel Engine vehicles (Dealer, Apr 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
240 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 18–20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 2 | Seats (1) | — |
| 2013 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 7 | Engine (3) | — |
| 2012 | 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 63 | Electrical system (39) | — |
| 2011 | 3.6L 6-cyl, 283 hp | FWD | 20 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 175 | Electrical system (111) | — |
| 2010 | 3.8L 6-cyl, 197 hp 4.0L 6-cyl, 251 hp | FWD | 18–20 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 240 | Electrical system (150) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl · Drive: FWD
2014 Routan trims
| S | SE | SEL |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Volkswagen reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Volkswagen aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Volkswagen Routan VAN FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 | Volkswagen Routan VAN FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 7 |
| 2012 | Volkswagen Routan VAN FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 63 |
| 2011 | Volkswagen Routan VAN FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 175 |
| 2010 | Volkswagen Routan w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 240 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Routan | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2013 | Routan | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2012 | Routan | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2011 | Routan | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2010 | Routan | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L |
18–20 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.