The 2009 Volkswagen Routan has 9 recalls, the most serious being an ignition switch that can slip out of the ON position while driving, cutting engine power and disabling power steering, power brakes, and the airbag system.
Two separate restraint system issues compound the airbag concern: the airbag control unit on certain vehicles can corrode and fail, preventing airbags from deploying in a crash, and a separate fault in the occupant restraint control system can either trigger airbags and seatbelt pretensioners without warning or prevent them from firing when needed. On the electrical side, the wiring harness routed through the rear sliding door assembly can chafe against the lower door hinge bracket, wear through the insulation, overheat the latch, and start a fire inside the door. There is also an owner's manual compliance issue: the printed manual omits the required warning that objects placed on or near the instrument panel airbag can become projectiles if the airbag inflates in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control unit may corrode and fail in certain 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles built between February 2008 and August 2008.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag control unit at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The Occupant Restraint Control system may deploy airbags and seatbelt pretensioners without a crash, or fail to deploy them during a crash when needed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Occupant Restraint Control module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ignition switch may move out of the run position from road vibrations or jarring, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly and disabling the airbag system.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the ignition switch and key fobs at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ignition switch may shift from ON to ACC position while driving, causing the engine to shut off. This disables power steering, power brakes, and airbags, increasing crash and injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch module and install a secondary detent system if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Road conditions or jarring events may cause the ignition switch to shift out of run position, shutting off the engine and disabling the airbag system.
What the fix does
Dealers will modify the ignition switch at no cost to restore proper operation and airbag system function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sliding door wire harness may be routed improperly, allowing the lower hinge bracket to wear through the wire insulation and contact a 12V power circuit, causing an electrical short in the door latch mechanism.
What the fix does
Inspect both wire assemblies for damage, repair or replace as needed, secure the harnesses together with a tie strap, and reroute them under the door weather strip.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness for the power sliding door may rub against the lower hinge bracket, potentially causing a fire inside the door assembly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the door wiring harnesses for damage, repair or replace them, and reroute them under the weatherstrip.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual was missing required safety information about airbags. It didn't explain that objects placed over or near the dashboard airbag can cause injury if the airbag deploys during a crash.
What the fix does
Owners will receive an insert for the manual that includes the required airbag safety information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual was printed without required safety information warning against placing objects over or near the airbag on the instrument panel.
What the fix does
Dealers will provide an owner's manual insert with the required airbag safety information, which owners can install themselves or have the dealer install.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
