VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Volkswagen Routan2009–2013
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Volkswagen Routan
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Volkswagen Routan Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 230 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
0 recalls · 189 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
0 recalls · 134 complaints
12 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Volkswagen Routan — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | 7 | — | — | 93 | 45 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 1 | 61 | 2 | — | 64 | 41 | 56 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 134 | 12 | — | 64 | 38 | 55 | Caution |
| 2010 | 0 | 189 | 10 | — | 65 | 38 | 56 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 4 | 230 | 10 | — | 45 | 38 | 43 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Volkswagen Routan Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Routan compares — best year within each era shown.
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2013 (Buyer Score 76).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Routan to buy?+
The 2013 Volkswagen Routan scores highest on our Buyer Score (76/100) — combining a reliability score of 93/100 with a value score of 45/100. It has 0 recalls and 7 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Routan years have the most problems?+
The 2009, 2010, 2011 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2009 Routan leads with 4 recalls and 230 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Routan problems?+
The most frequently reported Volkswagen Routan issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.