VolkswagenRoutan2011Overview/volkswagen/routan/2011/base/

2011 Volkswagen Routan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Routan.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2011 Volkswagen Routan is a full-size minivan powered by a 6-speed automatic transmission and requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 engine oil, achieving EPA ratings of 17 city, 25 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Within the model’s 2008–2014 reliability history, the 2011 year recorded 175 total owner complaints—the most frequent concerning the electrical system—and no recalls, positioning it as a mid-range performer between the peak of 293 complaints in 2009 and the low of just 2 in 2014.

Model year201420132012201120102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 700 CCA battery, OE oil filter 7B0115562D. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter7B0115562D
Engine air filter7B0129620C
Spark plug7B0905600C
Front wiper blades7B0955426 alt 7B0955425A
Thermostat7B0121119B alt 7B0121111B
Cabin air filter7B0819644

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.4 in
Overall width76.8 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Curb weight4495 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Routan of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2010 SEL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010SEL 4.0L V68.10 sec16.20 sec251 hpFWD
2010SE 3.8L V69.30 sec17.00 sec197 hpFWD
2009SE 3.8L V69.50 sec17.20 sec197 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF +4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidVW PART NO. GUS000162

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts262 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts27 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront and rear A/C, 2.43. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityFront and rear A/C, 5.07. oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.107 in / 0.482 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.097 in / 0.463 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.04 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 8,000 mi; spark plugs every 96,000 mi; coolant every 80,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 80,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 8,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 16,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 32,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 32,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 80,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 96,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across the Routan generation, federal complaints peaked at 293 in 2009 alongside six recalls, then trended steadily downward to 63 by 2012 and single digits thereafter, while technical service bulletins climbed to a generation-high 506 in 2012 before retreating. The 2011 model sits in the middle of this arc, posting 175 complaints—down sharply from 2009 and 2010 but still nearly triple the 2012 figure—with zero recalls for the first time since 2008. That year’s top complaint categories involve the electrical system, either alone or in combination with the fuel/propulsion or engine systems, though the data does not specify root causes, and it generated four crash-related and two fire-related complaints. Relative to 2009 and 2010, 2011 represents a measurable improvement in formal safety actions, yet its elevated complaint volume and 453 TSBs indicate persistent service concerns. The 2011 Routan is a conditionally acceptable used purchase relative to the early production years, but buyers should verify electrical and engine function before purchase and recognize that 2013-2014 models offer substantially cleaner federal records.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
453
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
175
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 175 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System47
Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System10
Electrical System,Engine10
Engine9
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System9
Fuel/Propulsion System8
Unknown Or Other7
Service Brakes7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 453 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DC_VW_CF_Airbag2026-03-02Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning…
V1917012022548_142025-02-12EngineIdentifying and Mixing Engine Coolant
MULT action closures VW2024-12-02Unknown Or OtherMultiple Emissions service action closures
CampTip_RNA_VW2024-10-07Unknown Or OtherVehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available
V3718022033975_132024-09-17Power TrainFluid requirements

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Routan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Routan take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Routan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Routan get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.