Verdict
2012 Volkswagen Routan: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2012 Volkswagen Routan — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most minivan.
Owners filed 63 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 100% of 2012 minivans. Electrical System leads the reports (49%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 minivans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
63
Reports to NHTSA, 2012
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
20
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 100% of 2012 minivans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 minivans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (49% of 63 reports), followed by steering (13%).
+ 3 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 63 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11578885, ODI 11560584, ODI 11528397, ODI 11446236, ODI 11425764.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
SuspensionMay 2012 · 12V147000Details +Close −
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ROUTAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2012 Volkswagen Routan VAN FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Routan | 3.6L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 17 | 25 | 20 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2012 Volkswagen Routan: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
Owners filed 63 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Routan — fewer complaints than 100% of comparable 2012 minivans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (49% of complaints) and steering (13%).
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2012 Volkswagen Routan, covering components such as suspension. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Volkswagen Routan at 20 mpg combined.