NEWS:   VW to recall minivans for stalling problem

DETROIT NEWS -- March 10,  2011 – Volkswagen is recalling 12,600 minivans because the ignition key could move while driving and cause the engine to shut off.

Chrysler announced a similar recall last week. It makes the vans for Volkswagen.

VW says the ignition key in Routan minivans from the 2010 model year can move from the run to accessory position on its own, turning off the engine. VW estimates that 378 of the vans have defective ignition switches.

Chrysler last week recalled about 250,000 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans and Dodge Journey crossovers to replace the ignition switches. All the vehicles are from the 2010 model year.

Chrysler told the government it had received 32 customer complaints and was aware of two rear-end crashes.

The recalls are to begin in April.

MORE RECALL INFO:   Volkswagen Routan

---

MARCH 2011 -- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2010 Routan vehicles manufactured from October 2009 through June 2010. Some vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the run to accessory position while driving causing the engine to shut off. An engine shutting off suddenly while driving could increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during April 2011.   11V-151

JUNE 2010 -- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 Routan vehicles manufactured from June 2008 through July 2009. These vehicles may have been built with an improper routed wire harness that may have a condition where the lower sliding door hinge bracket can make contact and wear through the wire insulation. Contact with a 12V power feed circuit within the harness may cause a high resistive short circuit within the latch mechanism located inside of the sliding door. This could result in an overheated latch and a fire within the rear sliding door could occur. Volkswagen will inspect the sliding door wire track wire assembly and the sliding door power drive unit wire assembly for damage, repair/replace as necessary, tie strap the two harnesses together and route the harnesses under the sliding door weather strip. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during July 2010.  10V-252

JULY 2009 -- Volkswagen is recalling 18,500 MY 2009 Routan vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The owner's manual was printed without the FMVSS No. 208 required information explaining that no objects should be placed over the or near the air bag on the instrument panel. Any such objects could cause injury to the vehicle's occupants in the event of a crash severe enough to cause the air bag to inflate. Dealers will send an owner's manual insert containing the required air bag information for owner installation or dealers will install in the event the owner prefers assistance from the dealer. The recall began on July 31, 2009.  09V-244