Recall 10V252 affects 15,902 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles for sliding-door wire damage that can overheat the latch. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 15,902 2009 Routan minivans under recall 10V252 because a misrouted sliding-door wire harness can rub against the lower hinge bracket and wear through the insulation. A short circuit can overheat the rear door latch and lead to a fire inside the door, and the Volkswagen dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The sliding door wire harness on the 2009 Volkswagen Routan is a bundle of wires that carries electrical power and signals through the door area. One of those wires includes a 12V power feed for the sliding door latch, the mechanism that locks and releases the door. The harness has to stay routed away from moving hinge parts so the insulation stays intact.
On affected Routans, the harness was routed incorrectly near the lower sliding door hinge bracket. As the sliding door moves, the bracket can contact the harness and wear through the wire insulation. If that wear reaches the 12V feed circuit, electrical current can create a high-resistance short inside the latch mechanism.
There is no warning sign before failure. The damage happens inside the sliding door area, so an owner is not given a clear early cue from normal door operation.
Who's affected?
| 2009 Volkswagen Routan | wiring |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 15,902 |
Not every 2009 Volkswagen Routan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific minivan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Damage in the sliding door wiring can overheat the latch and start a fire inside the rear sliding door. Drive cautiously and schedule the recall inspection soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Volkswagen Routan is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free sliding-door wire-harness inspection, repair, and re-routing that keeps the hinge bracket from wearing through the insulation.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 10V252 when you call.
- Park the Routan away from structures if you smell heat, see smoke, or notice sliding-door electrical problems before the repair.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987 with questions about the recall repair.
What happens at the repair
Volkswagen's remedy calls for a Volkswagen technician to inspect the sliding door wire track wire assembly and the sliding door power drive unit wire assembly for damage. The technician repairs or replaces damaged wiring, ties the two harnesses together with a strap, and routes the harnesses under the sliding door weather strip so the hinge bracket no longer rubs the insulation. The dealer repair is free under the recall.
Timeline
| June 10, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V252?
Recall 10V252 covers 15,902 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles built with improperly routed sliding-door wiring. The lower sliding door hinge bracket can wear through the wire insulation, create a high-resistance short inside the latch mechanism, and lead to an overheated latch or fire. Volkswagen's dealer remedy is free.
What should I do if my 2009 Volkswagen Routan is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Routan is included in recall 10V252. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall 10V252. The dealer will inspect the sliding-door wire harnesses, repair or replace damaged wiring as needed, secure the harnesses, and reroute them under the weather strip.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost, and Volkswagen's remedy says this service is free. A franchised Volkswagen dealer will inspect the sliding-door wire harnesses, repair or replace damaged wiring as needed, secure the harnesses, and reroute them under the weather strip.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an overheated latch and fire inside the rear sliding door. The recall involves a wire harness routed where the lower sliding door hinge bracket can wear through insulation and create a high-resistance short in the latch mechanism.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Routan used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2009 Routan is included, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall 10V252.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V252000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-822-8987 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V252 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V252000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →