
Some of the most common VW Routan transmission problems are slipping between gears, erratic up or down shifts, or a hard slam when the 62TE transmission engages Drive or Reverse.If the goofy “Routan” name didn’t tip you off, this new minivan comes from Volkswagen — or does it? It’s based tightly on the Chrysler Town & Country (and its Dodge Grand Caravan sibling) and is built on the same production line at Chrysler’s Windsor, Ontario, assembly plant. 1) Slipping, Erratic Shifting, Harsh Forward or Reverse Gear Engagement. Common Problems with the 2009-2014 Volkswagen Routan 62TE Transmission.
The contact stated that the failure occurred after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V194000 (electrical system). The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. As a result, I suspect VW devotees will disown this mongrel half-brother.Get detailed information on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan including specifications and data that includes dimensions, engine specs, warranty, standard features.124,000 miles.
See Details.Now, I try not to concern myself with where a model comes from. With the Goodyear Credit Card. On Select Sets of 4 Tires & Installation. The problem comes when she says the couples are doing it to get “German engineering.”2009 Volkswagen Routan Tires Goodyear Tires. It’s not VW’s best ad campaign, but it’s cute and memorable. Perhaps you’ve seen the TV commercials starring Brooke Shields, who claims that people are having children just so they can buy a Routan (pronounced roo-tahn, not roo-tan).


Also identical are the gear-selector location — high on the dash, which never bothered me — and the tilt-only steering wheel. However, a peek at the specs shows that the interior dimensions are identical to the T&C’s for all three seat rows. I was a little surprised by the modest amount of legroom, especially when the driver’s seat is raised, which simultaneously inches it forward. There’s a little bit of rattle in the suspension on rough roads, but not enough to distract you from the preponderant wind noise, which also plagues the American models.The front seats have more prominent side bolsters than the domestic vans, and I found them comfortable enough. Aside from that, it handles like a minivan in normal driving.
It has identical low and high mileage numbers — with the base engine also getting worse mileage — for trim levels that start at $26,355 and $33,155. If you’re accustomed to base engines being more efficient, this arrangement might seem rant-worthy, but practically the same thing is true of the Honda Odyssey. Routan EnginesThe better acceleration and mileage are nice options to have, but the price of entry is the SEL trim level, which costs almost $9,000 more than the base Routan S. There’s also a 4.0-liter V-6 that gives you more power and better mileage. VW cites a 0-60 mph time of 10.2 seconds. You can get power-adjustable pedals, which serve a similar purpose, but they’re an extra-cost option.My test Routan SE had the base 3.8-liter V-6, which I found perfectly workable.
And when it came time for me to haul something, the Routan’s tumble-forward feature didn’t create much room. But I do think Stow ‘n Go is largely responsible for these models’ continued success people freakin’ love them. I’ve always found the Stow ‘n Go seats to be too low-slung, thin and inadequately padded, so I’m fine with the Routan’s comfortable second-row seats. The Stows are two captain’s chairs that fold flat into the floor, and the Swivel versions turn around to face the third-row seat (complete with an optional table). With the Routan, at least you feel like you’re getting more power for your money, along with the other SEL upgrades.Some shoppers are sure to bemoan the fact that a couple of the birth mother’s genes didn’t pass on to the Routan: Chrysler hasn’t relinquished its exclusive hold on the famed Stow ‘n Go and Swivel ‘n Go second-row seats.
As for the gaps between panels and such, I’m not usually a stickler for the fit aspect of fit and finish, but VW always has been. The silver-gray plastic doesn’t say VW to me, and neither does the Indiglo-style gauge backlighting. Once you move down farther, though, the results aren’t as strong. The top of the dashboard is pure Volkswagen: low gloss, soft to the touch and generally upscale. The space isn’t simple to access, and the shape makes it hard to stash boxes or hard-sided luggage there, but if you have laundry, a duffel or the like, the storage room down there is remarkable.Volkswagen dictated significant changes to the dashboard and door panels, including some different materials and a center control panel that doesn’t protrude as much.
The touch-screen navigation and premium stereo — which my model didn’t have — appear to be the same story. Pretty low-rent.Some of the control iconography looks like VW’s, but the stereo is clearly Chrysler-issue. The storage bin is obscured by two pairs of plastic cupholders that you have to give a mighty yank to remove — and then you have to force them to snap back in place. You can get an optional center storage console of decent quality and functionality, but the standard one in my test Routan was unimpressive. The ventilation knobs aren’t bad, but they aren’t quite to the VW level, and the rubbery cupholder drawer inserts are prototypically American.
Never underestimate the importance of styling — even for a minivan — and the Routan’s is quite nice. Some might even be enthusiastic about it. Tell me if I’m wrong.I believe that minivan shoppers who survey the field as a whole will like the Routan. Best I can tell, the problem is that they eliminated the reach-through space below the chrome lever, so you’re leaning forward and pulling with your fingertips.
In the Routan, it’s not all there. Promptly after the original Beetle gave Americans a low-cost motoring alternative, VW became a higher-cost brand that has gotten away with its premium prices honestly, by providing a certain experience: a solidity, a feel, a quality of experience (if not always of maintenance and repair) that’s higher than the average brand but not quite luxury level. The brand name is Volkswagen, and the Routan leans heavily toward Chrysler.VW fans are likely to be disappointed.
Their fates are intertwined, and the cards are stacked against them. While Chrysler’s fortunes are widely known, the Routan model isn’t. Shoppers and owners are already concerned about its future and how it might affect them. Further, the Chrysler connection isn’t exactly a secret, and that American automaker is in trouble. And, of course, crossovers are drowning out the minivan in many a suburb. The economy has tanked and new-car sales are way down, and that’s not a good time to introduce an all-new model, an unknown quantity.
