What weaknesses does the VW Routan 1 have?

The VW Routan 1 has 12 known engine weaknesses and 6 vehicle weaknesses. Repair costs range from 14,650 to 29,950 EUR.

VW · Van · 2009–2014

VW Routan 1(RT)

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★

3.0 / 5.0 · Based on 3 engine variants · How we rate

The Routan is not a VW — it's a rebadged Chrysler Town & Country with a VW badge. Produced from 2009 to 2012 for the US market, 100% Chrysler engineering: engines, transmission, electrical, all Mopar. VW only changed bumpers and grille.

Three Chrysler engines available: The EGN-Routan (3.8L V6 OHV, 197 hp) is simple and cheap but underpowered. The EGH-Routan (4.0L V6 SOHC, 253 hp) offers more power but needs timing belt service. The ERB-Routan (3.6L Pentastar, 283 hp) is the most modern — for 2011–2012, check the left cylinder head (Chrysler warranty extension applies).

The electrical system is the biggest weakness: TIPM fuel pump relay can kill the engine while driving (Chrysler issued a recall for their own models, VW did not!). Sliding door wiring (2009, recall for fire risk) and ignition switch (2009–2010) — verify recall completion.

Test drive: Check all recalls by VIN (nhtsa.gov). Test sliding doors repeatedly. Check transmission for slip. Listen for Pentastar tick/knock (cylinder head). Test rear AC cooling.

Market 2026: Routan from $2,000, good examples $4,000–$7,000. Parts are Chrysler/Mopar — cheap and widely available. Go to a Chrysler shop, not VW dealer.

Insider pick: An ERB-Routan (3.6L Pentastar) from summer 2012 production onward with completed recalls and Chrysler service history.

Most Fun Engine

283 PS

Routan · Benzin

Routan 3.6 Pentastar — refined successor

Not Really

Most Reliable Engine

200 PS

3.8L V6 OHV (Chrysler) Benzin

4 weaknesses

Good Choice

Problem Engine

287 PS

3.6L Pentastar V6 (Chrysler) Benzin

4 weaknesses

Stay Away!

Engine Overview

The VW Routan 1 is available with 3 engine variants — from 200 to 287 hp.

3.6L Pentastar V6 (Chrysler) · Petrol· 283 PS

2011 2014

The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is Chrysler's modern DOHC engine — 283 hp, significantly more powerful and refined than predecessors. Main risk on 2011–2012 examples: left cylinder head has undersized cooling passages, valve seats overheat — Chrysler extended warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles. Fixed from summer 2012 production. Plastic oil filter housing with integrated cooler warps from heat cycles — Dorman aluminum replacement recommended. TIPM fuel pump relay as a platform-wide Chrysler issue (no recall for this van/US market!).

!! Pentastar Tick — left cylinder head failure (cyl. 2) from 130,000 km

Early 3.6L Pentastar used insufficiently hardened valve seats on left head. Chrysler extended warranty via D-14-12 to 10yrs/150k mi.

Symptoms: Distinct metallic tick from left bank, MIL with P0302 or P0306, power loss.

3,500–4,500 $

Ad 05184510AH Pentastar left cylinder head Mopar 05184446AG left cylinder head
!! Plastic oil filter / oil cooler housing cracks from 130,000 km

Plastic oil filter/cooler housing warps from thermal cycling. Aluminum aftermarket (Dorman 926-876) is permanent fix.

Symptoms: Oil on accessory belt and exhaust manifold, oil smell, coolant in dipstick (emulsion).

450–900 $

Ad 68105583AF Pentastar oil filter housing Dorman 926-876 aluminum oil cooler housing
!! Rocker arm failure (MDS oil control) from 160,000 km

Pentastar rocker arms fail when oil changes are neglected. Clogged oil passages starve roller needle bearings.

Symptoms: Loud tick, single-cylinder misfire, MIL P030x, power loss.

800–2,200 $

Ad 05184296AH Pentastar rocker arm Mopar 05184296AE roller rocker

+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

3.8L V6 OHV (Chrysler) · Petrol· 197 PS

2009 2011

The 3.8L V6 OHV is a Chrysler engine dating back to the 1980s — simple, robust, but dated. Timing chain instead of belt, no DOHC complexity. Oil consumption from 80,000 miles typical through worn piston rings and valve guides. Intake manifold gasket can leak after 8+ years (coolant loss without visible leak). Camshaft bearings at risk with low oil. In this van (US market) the cheapest engine to maintain, but underpowered (197 hp is marginal for a minivan).

!! Intake manifold gasket failure (coolant loss) from 150,000 km

Lower intake manifold gasket on 3.8L V6 OHV leaks coolant into intake and externally.

Symptoms: Unexplained coolant loss, sweet smell, white exhaust smoke, rough idle.

350–900 $

Ad Fel-Pro MS96454 intake manifold gasket Mopar 4781034AC
!! Water pump leak from 160,000 km

Water pump on 3.8L V6 leaks coolant via weep hole or O-ring.

Symptoms: Coolant puddle front-center, dropping coolant level, whining from belt drive.

300–650 $

Ad water pump Chrysler 3.8 V6 Mopar 4694307AF Gates 42289 water pump
!! Lifter tick and rocker arm wear from 180,000 km

From ~110k mi, lifter tick and rocker arm wear appear.

Symptoms: Metallic top-end tick, louder at idle and 1500-3000 rpm.

900–2,200 $

Ad hydraulic lifters Chrysler 3.8 V6 rocker arm 3.8 OHV Mopar 53021720AE

+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

4.0L V6 SOHC (Chrysler) · Petrol· 251 PS

2009 2010

The 4.0L V6 SOHC is the more powerful Chrysler option (253 hp) — with timing belt instead of chain, change every 102,000 miles mandatory. Requires 89-octane fuel. Rocker arm wear on the exhaust side is a known issue inherited from the 3.5L family. Oil sludge from narrow passages with long change intervals — short oil changes (5,000 miles) recommended. Coolant pipe under the intake manifold can corrode. If timing belt is documented as changed: a solid engine.

!! Timing belt replacement every 100k miles (interference engine) from 160,000 km

The 4.0L SOHC uses a timing belt with 100k mi interval. Interference engine — belt failure destroys valves.

Symptoms: No warning before failure. Pulley squeal, coolant loss.

600–1,400 $

Ad timing belt kit Chrysler 4.0 V6 SOHC Gates TCKWP334 timing belt water pump kit
!! Timing-belt-driven water pump — must replace with belt from 160,000 km

Pump seizure can snap belt and destroy engine. Always replace pump with every belt service.

Symptoms: Coolant loss around belt cover, overheating.

150–350 $

Ad water pump Chrysler 4.0 V6 SOHC Mopar 5142861AA Gates 42280 water pump
!! TIPM fuel pump relay — sudden engine shutdown from 110,000 km

TIPM fuel pump relay fails. Chrysler recalled T&C/Grand Caravan, VW did NOT recall the identical Routan.

Symptoms: Sudden stall at road speed, loss of power steering and brake assist.

900–1,500 $

Ad TIPM Routan Mopar 04692117 TIPM fuel pump bypass relay kit

+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

Vehicle Weaknesses

	Weakness	Cost
✖	62TE 6-speed automatic shift slip The Chrysler 62TE automatic is prone to slipping on the 1-2 or 2-3 shift. Root cause is worn sealing ring lands on the low clutch housing, occasionally failing solenoids in the valve body. Trans briefly drops into neutral during upshift. Symptoms: RPM flares on upshift without acceleration, harsh engagement, slipping under load, limp mode locked in 3rd gear. from 130,000 km Ad 62TE transmission rebuild kit Routan 62TE solenoid pack low clutch housing seal ring Chrysler 62TE	High

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Known Problems and Issues +

A total of 18 weaknesses have been documented for the VW Routan 1 (2009–2014) — 12 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. One problem engine: ERB-Routan (3.6L Pentastar V6 (Chrysler)). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics, Cooling, Other. Considered reliable: EGN-Routan (3.8L V6 OHV (Chrysler)).

Routan (EGH-Routan, 2009–2010) — Be Careful: Timing belt replacement every 100k miles (interference engine), Timing-belt-driven water pump — must replace with belt, TIPM fuel pump relay — sudden engine shutdown. Power: 251 PS.

Routan (ERB-Routan, 2011–2014) — Stay Away!: Pentastar Tick — left cylinder head failure (cyl. 2), Plastic oil filter / oil cooler housing cracks, Rocker arm failure (MDS oil control). Power: 283 PS.

What to watch out for with the VW Routan? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the VW Routan 1 have? +

The VW Routan 1 has 12 known engine weaknesses and 6 vehicle weaknesses.

What should I look for when buying a used VW Routan 1? +

faq.watch_a_avoid faq.watch_a_rec

Which engine is recommended? +

Good choice: EGN-Routan (3.8L V6 OHV (Chrysler)). The most reliable engine is the EGN-Routan (3.8L V6 OHV (Chrysler)) with the lowest risk score. The most fun to drive is the ERB-Routan (3.6L Pentastar V6 (Chrysler)). Problem engine: ERB-Routan (3.6L Pentastar V6 (Chrysler)) — stay away!

Which VW Routan 1 engine is the most reliable? +

The {code} ({displacement}) is the most reliable engine in the VW Routan 1. It has the lowest risk score of all available engines and is rated "Good Choice". However, there are 4 known weaknesses to be aware of.

Which VW Routan 1 engine is the most fun? +

The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the VW Routan 1 — rated: "Not Really". {description} The Pentastar V6 with 283 hp is significantly more refined and economical. Watch out for 2011-2012: known left cylinder head defect.

Is the VW Routan 1 worth buying used? +

The VW Routan 1 requires careful consideration — choosing the right engine variant is crucial.

What horsepower variants are available for the VW Routan 1? +

The VW Routan 1 is available with engine variants from 200 to 287 hp. Petrol: EGN-Routan (3.8L V6 OHV (Chrysler)), EGH-Routan (4.0L V6 SOHC (Chrysler)), ERB-Routan (3.6L Pentastar V6 (Chrysler)).

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee