Why was the Routan discontinued?
Volkswagen discontinued the Routan after the 2012 model year due to persistently weak sales and a strategic shift away from minivan styling in North America. The vehicle was a joint venture with Chrysler, built on Chrysler’s minivan platform, and it never gained the market traction VW hoped for.
Introduced for the 2009 model year, the Routan carried VW branding and styling but relied on Chrysler’s engineering and production, including assembly in Windsor, Ontario. Despite Volkswagen’s efforts to position it as a premium minivan, the Routan faced fierce competition from long-established rivals and from Chrysler’s own minivans, which limited its appeal and profitability. VW publicly announced the end of the Routan in early 2012, with production concluding that year.
Background and development
The Routan was born out of a strategic partnership between Volkswagen and Chrysler. It used Chrysler’s minivan platform (the same underpinnings as the Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan) and was assembled at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada. VW provided branding, interior design, and marketing, attempting to offer a German-influenced minivan experience in North America.
What the Routan was
The Routan was VW’s attempt to enter the North American family-hauler segment by borrowing a proven minivan architecture from Chrysler. It offered seating for seven, a range of family-oriented features, and VW-style interior appointments, but under the hood it depended on Chrysler’s powertrains and engineering.
Reasons for discontinuation
VW cited several factors that made the Routan economically unsustainable within its North American lineup. The following points summarize the major factors that contributed to the decision.
- Weak sales and limited market demand for a VW-brand minivan in North America, especially against established rivals like the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Chrysler’s own minivans.
- Pricing and positioning: The Routan carried a premium price with relatively few unique selling points versus its competitors, making it an expensive choice for many families.
- Brand fit and dealer network: VW’s reputation and dealer network for vans hadn’t built the same consumer loyalty as the leading minivan brands, limiting marketing impact and aftersales support.
- Strategic realignment: Volkswagen decided to focus more on SUVs and crossovers in North America, aiming for higher-margin, higher-volume segments rather than a niche minivan offering.
- Platform and partnership constraints: Relying on Chrysler’s platform and supply chain introduced dependencies and costs that were hard to justify given the Routan’s sales performance and VW’s broader strategy.
Taken together, these factors led Volkswagen to end Routan production after the 2012 model year and reallocate resources toward segments and vehicles with stronger market potential.
Impact and legacy
The discontinuation reflected a broader industry trend where traditional minivans faced stiff competition from crossovers and SUVs. For VW, the Routan remains a relatively obscure chapter in a period of rapid portfolio reshaping in North America, illustrating how a brand’s identity and network can influence the success of even a technically solid model.
Summary
In summary, the Routan was discontinued because it never achieved sustainable sales, faced branding and market-positioning challenges, and did not align with Volkswagen’s strategic pivot toward SUVs and crossovers in North America. Production ended after the 2012 model year, marking the end of VW’s collaborative minivan effort in the region.
What is the transmission problem on the VW Routan?
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. There are a number of design flaws in this transmission, and any one of them could be causing these symptoms.
Why did Volkswagen stop making the Routan?
Autotrader.com opined that industry observers wouldn't be surprised by VW's decision to drop the Routan due to its poor sales figures, and as most shoppers found no reason for selecting the Routan over the similar Dodge Grand Caravan or the Chrysler Town & Country, and the Routan's base price of nearly $28,000 was far ...
Is the Volkswagen Routan reliable?
The Volkswagen Routan generally has poor reliability, with common issues including transmission problems, engine mount failures, and electrical glitches. While some owners report positive experiences, many cite a high number of repairs compared to other minivans, particularly for models built from 2009-2014, which are essentially rebadged Chryslers.
Common reliability issues
- Transmission problems: Reports of flaky planetary gears and intermittent shifting issues are common.
- Engine and engine mounts: Some owners have experienced premature engine mount failure.
- Electrical and other issues: Other frequently reported problems include the check engine light coming on, coolant leaks, and misfires.
Reliability ratings
- RepairPal: The VW Routan has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 8th out of 8 minivans.
- Kelley Blue Book: Owner sentiment for the 2009-2014 generation is mixed, with a rating of 3.3 out of 5 and 52% of owners recommending it.
- Edmunds: The 2012 model has a reliability rating of 3 out of 5.
Owner sentiment
- Negative: Many owners report needing frequent and expensive repairs, with some calling it a "terrible vehicle" and advising others to avoid it.
- Positive: A smaller number of owners report that their Routans have been reliable, have a strong engine, and are great family vans.
- Mixed: Some owners who are otherwise happy with the van's features and driving experience still mention reliability as its weakest point.
What year should I Routan to avoid?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured June 25, 2008, to July 8, 2009, and 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured October 1, 2009, to August 11, 2010. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system.
