Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
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
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.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 283 hp · Drive: FWD
2011 Routan trims
| S | SE | SEL | SEL Premium |
|---|
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.
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.
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.