2012 Volkswagen Routan Volkswagen Routan 2012

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2012 Volkswagen Routan repairs by problem area

Engine (28%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (5%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (33%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)

Other (0%)

Chart based on 39 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan.

2012 Volkswagen Routan repair cost distribution

$2500+ (7%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (4%)

$100 - $499 (15%)

< $100 (70%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 27 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2012 Volkswagen Routan 4dr Minivan, ext.

283-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Volkswagen Routan in Illinois, United States
Sep 2016 - May 2019
Sep 2017

89500 mi

US $700
Had brakes & alignment done, VW charged over $700 for this work, which was ridiculously high. They took some off when I complained. Will never go back, and this is the last VW we'll ever buy. They were also supposed to check a hard shifting transmission, and said they found nothing (happens all the time to us).  Also asked they check the radio as it loses audio occasionally and only a restart of the vehicle will bring it back. Again, they found nothing. 
Volkswagen Routan in Virginia, United States
May 2013 - Feb 2019
Jan 2018

85000 mi

US $225
Thermostat stuck open so the engine was not heating to normal operating temperature, so it was replaced. This is the very first repair for this vehicle. Alternator stopped working and it was replaced. This repair was made in September 2018 with 96,000 miles 
Volkswagen Routan in Tennessee, United States
Sep 2017 - Jun 2018
Aug 2017

68000 mi
same as above replaced internal door handle where plating was pealing and windshield wiper nozzles 
Volkswagen Routan in Minnesota, United States
Oct 2019 - Jun 2022
Jun 2019

50000 mi

US $200
Transmission chugs when reversing up an incline. Shop was unable to find reason without taking apart. Replaced transmission mount with factory part. Did not resolve issue. Decided to live with it and has not gotten worse 50k later. Neighbors 2013 van does the same thing. May be a design flaw. 
Jun 2021

98000 mi

US $120
Serpentine belt had split in two. 
Jun 2022

110000 mi

US $350
Rear brake pads/rotors 
Volkswagen Routan in British Columbia, Canada
Mar 2016 - Jun 2022
May 2017

56420 mi
Transmission failed 17 days out of power train warranty. Complete failure while driving. I had to tow to the steelership for a 2 hour diagnostic. Torque converter broke, valve body damaged beyond repair. Minor hunting while shifting for a couple weeks before failure. Slow to upshift before failure. $6500 for a new transmission and 1500 labour to install. I have a brand new transmission now. I got a free car wash with my visit. I have a 2011 VW Jetta TDI so I pushed the steelership to contact VW Canada and plead my case. VW in the end paid for the transmission and offered 1 year warranty. I had to pay for labour. While looking for my bill of sale for the Jetta I found the extended warranty for the van and had $1600 reimbursed. Some of the towing and car rental fees I paid out of pocket. 
Sep 2021

124000 mi

C $2750
No A/c all summer! Reseal system and refill.  R/r thermostat housing to repair crack.  Slow engine cranking, r/r battery.  Suspension getting noisy! 
Jan 2022

127720 mi

C $2600
Alternator failed Catalytic perverter failed 
Feb 2022

130200 mi

C $450
Transmission cooler lines leaking 
Jun 2022

132680 mi

C $47
The rear gate wiper motor shaft started to seize until complete failure, r/r wiper motor from Rockauto 
Volkswagen Routan in Maryland, United States
Mar 2015 - Apr 2015
Apr 2015

47000 mi
ENGINE SOUND LIKE BAD LAWN MOTOR RUNNING BUT THIS SUPPOSE TO BE NORMAL PER VW SERVICE ENGINE STILL TICKING WITH A LOUD NOISE lifter was sticking same as before, lifter sticking lifter was sticking again 
Volkswagen Routan in Virginia, United States
Dec 2012 - Sep 2014
Dec 2013

24000 mi
Pulsation in brakes- rotors, pads and control arm bushings replaced under warranty. Braking was flat out terrifying in mountains until the issue was fixed. 
Aug 2014

31000 mi
Major stuttering when brakes are hot, particularly on long mountainous descents. Could not duplicate at dealer, brake system components replaced under warranty 8k miles ago. Selling vehicle. 
Volkswagen Routan in Utah, United States
May 2012 - Jan 2022
Jun 2013

14000 mi
VW issued a TSB for harsh downshifts. The dealer reset the computer module and the vehicle seems to shift more smoothly now. Gas mileage has also improved somewhat. 
Jul 2014

26300 mi
Battery warning light came on while driving, intitial check at dealer indicated no problem, however car died later that day. Dealer replaced alternator under warranty. No subsequent problems. 
Jun 2015

38000 mi
Paint has started chipping and bubbling. Not covered by warranty. The cruise control and automatic doors work intermittently. Not present when I go in for service. 
Jul 2021

102000 mi

US $1600
Transmission solenoid switch needed to be replaced. 
Volkswagen Routan in Minnesota, United States
Jan 2013 - Nov 2017
Feb 2013

8200 mi
Driver side sliding door was rubbing on the paint because it was out of adjustment Driver's side sliding door was still out of adjustment Navigation/Audio system stopped working, completely dead. Dealer unable to get it to work on first visit, ended up replacing the unit during second visit. 
Jun 2013

14000 mi
Buttons on steering wheel stopped working 
Sep 2013

18000 mi
Replaced buttons on steering wheel that were not working. 
Feb 2015

43000 mi
Engine make moan/whistle during cold start up 
Feb 2016

59300 mi
Engine has always had a funny whistle on start up since new that VW could not fix. I found a Chrysler TSP (Routan is Chrysler van) which described situation exactly. Brought to VW and had them fix per TSB. 
Volkswagen Routan in Missouri, United States
Sep 2013 - Aug 2014
Mar 2014

16000 mi
Replaced sunroof due to getting jammed and not closing. 
Volkswagen Routan in New Jersey, United States
Apr 2013 - Jul 2018
Mar 2015

30000 mi
NAV, redo s/w updates, still not current 
Sep 2016

43000 mi

US $10
2 fuses 

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2012 Volkswagen Routan Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2012 Volkswagen Routan problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.