Model year guide

2012 Volkswagen Routan

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Volkswagen Routan is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 42 on record.

2012 Volkswagen Routan — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Volkswagen Routan at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints63
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$13,656

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Volkswagen Routan recalls 1

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #12V147000 · 05/04/2012

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Volkswagen Routan common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2012 Volkswagen Routan safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Volkswagen Routan VAN FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Volkswagen Routan MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,100

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Volkswagen Routan worth?

Low
$7,988
Typical price
$13,656
High
$17,800

From 42 comparable 2012 Volkswagen Routan listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Volkswagen Routan costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$10,050
Total$25,550
Per mile$0.34

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($13,656) with the same model 3 model-years older ($7,631), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Volkswagen Routan trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · S · SEL
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl 283 hp

2012 Volkswagen Routan vehicles on record

2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG3CR354663 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG2CR127559 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG1CR240628 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL2C4RVACG1CR355910 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG0CR354444 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG5CR120543 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL2C4RVACG4CR194095 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABGXCR194233 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG5CR193877 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG5CR164865 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABGXCR194071 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL2C4RVACGXCR193937 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG8CR390771 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG6CR391191 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG2CR355756 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG7CR120611 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG7CR293575 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG5CR355636 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL2C4RVACG6CR152091 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG3CR277065 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SEL2C4RVACG5CR127523 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG1CR222274 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan SE2C4RVABG9CR393483 2012 Volkswagen Routan 2012 Volkswagen Routan S2C4RVAAG4CR182113

Other Volkswagen Routan model years

2014 2013 2011 2010 2009

2012 Volkswagen Routan — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Routan. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Routan?

Based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, power train.

What is the 2012 Volkswagen Routan safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Volkswagen Routan crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Routan get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Volkswagen Routan at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2012 Volkswagen Routan worth?

Comparable 2012 Volkswagen Routan listings run roughly $7,988–$17,800, typically around $13,656 (from 42 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.