Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volkswagen Routan, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 47 | 27% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 6% |
| Engine | 9 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The brakes randomly stop working. At random times you go to brake and have to push the pedal all the way to the floor to start stopping. 2nd issue. The car dies and looses all power at intermittent times while drivi
NHTSA complaint: Steering
loss of steering while driving, fluid loss multiple times since late september 2024(all while driving and no lights or warnings came on), 2 snapped serpentine belts, key ignition sticking(would not turn), dashboard not l
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Routan. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the veh
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Car has issues starting as if fuel pump isnt coming on... also vehicle shut down in middle of driving down highway would not restart
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
While driving on a highway at 65 Mph, vehicle shut down, lost brakes, steering, and all power, had to coast to a stop, narrowly avoiding a collision. Upon exhaustive review, TIPM was faulty, causing starting issues, inte
NHTSA complaint: Steering
This is 2011 VW ROUTAN. When the mileage reached exactly 100k both sliding doors shuts. When I put it on manual control button overhead it’s not working in both doors. It’s parked when this happens.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Thé engine malfunction was observed and confirmed by the Mecanicien and the cause was from the manufacture. I'm willing to submit the car for any inspection. The car is still drivable, but I have to report it. I have b
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The van totally looses all power while driving. It happens multiple times per week. While driving the van dies, it takes about 3-5 seconds then the power comes back, we can then drive again. When it happens, sometimes
NHTSA complaint: Engine
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 47 of them (27%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.