I purchased a VW Certified 2011 Routan in July 2014. From the begining I started calling the dealership service department to complain about the strange noise the brakes make. I was told there was nothing wrong with the brakes. I took the van in and called a few other times before I had to replace front and rear pads and rotors in June 2015 (at 47423 miles). September 2015 I was back to have brakes inspected for the same noise, and was told there was nothing wrong with them. By March 2016 I was back for the brakes with wheel vibrating when braking, and was told that car needed new front and rear brake pads and rotors (62,000 miles). I had the pads and roaters replaced in May 2016 (waited for VW America to call back with possible help, they offered 50% assistance). Today, November 21, 2016 I took my Routan in becase the brakes don't feel right again, and the steering wheel is starting to shake when I brake (78,000). Dealership recommended I replace the pads with after market pads (which VW says will change the warranty).

In all my conversations with two dealerships and VW America twice, the common statement from them is the vehicle is operating as intended, but both dealerships said the brakes will wear down sooner becasue of the weight of this vehicle. When I pointed out my last car was an Expidition XLT (a much heavier vehicle) and I did not replace the brakes this often on that car, I was told by BOTH dealerships service department that the Ford equipped their vehicle with larger roaters and pads to accommodate for the heavy weight.

So what I know is that VW America stands that their vehicle is "operating as it was intended to", a statement form Christ at VW America. Does this mean that they intend to increase dealership revenue by making the customers bring their vehicles in for repairs more often?

I am obviously very frustrated with VW, and with their dealerships service departments.

The photo attached is of the good inch or so of etching on my rotor because the brake pad has worn down so far AGAIN it is causing grinding noises. It's embarrassing and more importantly UNSAFE as my brakes do not perform nearly as well as they used to, in a vehicle intended to carry my 3 children. The kicker is that there isn't even a year of wear on this set, and all I do is drive my children 3 miles to school and back 5 days a week. I NEED to get these rotors and pads replaced ASAP, and it will make the 3rd time in 16 months of ownership!!

I have contacted both the local dealership and VW of America and they will do nothing because the warranty expired. NEWSFLASH VW! If you didn't make the braking system faulty to begin with, myself and countless others would not be bothering you with such requests! I'm going to go broke changing out brakes 2x a year, or I'm going to have to get a different vehicle. Its ridiculous it had to come to this.

I used to think VW was a well made vehicle, but I will NEVER buy one again and I would encourage others to go elsewhere.

Regular service at the dealership. On a road trip, front end starts to shimmy. I had the car checked out a few weeks before the trip. Get back, take car in. They tell me the front rotors are warped. Had to replace front brakes and rotors. Can't understand why they didn't catch it a few weeks earlier if the brakes were that worn. Ask them to check the rear - tell me all is fine. Not 2 months later, the rear rotors warp. Can't believe it! Talk to the service manager - he really danced around the issue, gave me a $100. credit towards the bill and told me they installed better brake pads. No problems since, but should not have happened in the first place!

The brakes on my Routan have made noise ever since I purchased it and I noticed from day one that there is excessive black residue on the tire wheels. I have complained about this issue to Lithia in Des Moines on numerous occasions since I purchased my 2011 Routan from them brand new off the lot.

Recently the brakes were making a squealing noise constantly that would stop when the brakes were applied. I took the van elsewhere since I hadn't any luck with the dealer before when talking about my brakes. I was told that I needed new brake pads and rotors for the rear brakes. This seems very premature to me - honestly, I am a mother of two young kids and I drive with care and use the correct foot when braking. I was quoted $375 at the shop. So, I took the van back to the dealership today and today they finally admit to some issue with the front brakes causing the noise. They will fix that under warranty. The rear brakes they are telling me are "normal wear and tear" and they are quoting me $560 + tax to replace the rear brake pads and rotors. I am still negotiating, well... in my mind I am still trying to negotiate that price as I don't know why their price is almost $200 more.

Morale here was that the brakes have always been bad but no one listened to me until there was a loud noise for everyone in a mile radius to hear.