7.0
fairly significant- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 8,763 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The rear rotors are found to be out of specification from the factory. The vehicle vibrates severely when braking from speeds in excess of 50 mph. I first complained about the problem to the dealership the vehicle was at approximately 3,500 miles and was told that it was a tire pressure problem and that the rotors were fine. I complained again at approximately 9,000 miles and was told the same thing. Finally at 12,606 miles I returned to the dealership and requested that they test the vehicle at 50 mph, as on previous occasions they had driven it in the parking lot and the problem does not manifest at speeds below 40 mph. The dealership finally admitted that there was a problem with the rear rotors in that the were out of specification, I.e. the wrong ones had been installed at the factory. My concern is that an accident could have occurred due to the incorrect rotors and I now wonder how many other Routan vans left the factory with the same problem. If the dealership and done a proper job when I first complained about the problem I would not be concerned at the moment. VW could have faced a severe liability lawsuit if I had been involved in a crash because of the out of specification rotors.
- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
2010 Routan with less than 10K miles on it. While driving on a city street the vehicle shut off leaving us with no power brakes, no power steering and very little control of the car. My husband was able to pull over and wait for the car to stop. He then put it in park and restarted it. We took it straight to the dealership service. The same thing had happened to me the day before and at least a dozen times before that. I thought it was something I was doing. VW service can find nothing wrong with the vehicle and we have made it clear that they can keep it until they do. We do not feel safe and will not trust our lives or the lives of our child and friends in this car. I have heard many other people with this same problem. Something needs to be addressed asap. I have contacted VW and notified them of the problem and waiting for a call back. Also waiting for news on our vehicle..day 2 at the shop.
- Palo Alto, CA, USA
Routan seemed to jolt/skid when brake was pressed. This would happen approximately every 3rd day. Took it to the dealership and they found the rotors were worn. This I cannot understand when it is a new 2010 which I purchased in August of 2010. I do not comprehend and understand their explanation. The described how the rotor works along with the brake. Bottom line is a more sensible material is being used. They were not replaced only touched up. Makes no complete sense and to me is already a safety hazard. Also there is a ticking sound coming from the engine but they could not detect/find it. I'm to go back and do a test drive with their technician so that I can point out to them the sound. Well today when I started the Routan it has more of a clicking sound which was not there before. I would hear the sound only when the gas pedal was being used. When gas pedal would be released it would go away but now it is a constant sound.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Glendale, MO, USA