--- description: Adding to nearly 700,000 other recalled Chrysler minivans also affected by faulty ignition switches. title: Volkswagen Expands Recall Over Ignition Switch Problems image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4f0d875bca3b8c78/69869ee0e8524b371b60439a/volkswagen-minivan-recall-ignition-switch.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Volkswagen Expands Recall Over Ignition Switch Problems  by [Jack Linshi](/author/jack-linshi/)  ## Jack Linshi Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Aug 8, 2014 3:39 PM CUT  The 2009 Volkswagen Routan is introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., during a media preview on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008. The 2009 Volkswagen Routan is introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., during a media preview on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008.Bloomberg via Getty Images  by [Jack Linshi](/author/jack-linshi/)  ## Jack Linshi Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Aug 8, 2014 3:39 PM CUT Volkswagen [recalled](http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults?searchType=ID&targetCategory=R&searchCriteria.nhtsa%5Fids=14V396000 "undefined") about 18,500 U.S.-sold 2009 Routan minivans Friday due to ignition switches that can be knocked into accessory mode during bumpy driving conditions, thus shutting off the engine. The announcement doubles the total number recalls of the Chrysler-made minivan, whose 2010 model was recalled in 2011 for similar issues, bringing the total to over 30,000 affected vehicles. A Volkswagen spokesperson said the problem has not been linked to any accidents, injuries or deaths, according to [_Reuters_](http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/08/us-vw-usrecall-idUSKBN0G81JN20140808 "undefined")_._ Meanwhile, the German auto manufacturer is advising drivers to remove items from their key rings, while Chrysler is encouraging drivers to ensure there is enough room between their knees and the ignition. Chrysler had filed documents with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in late June stating that the 2009 Routan minivan, like the nearly 700,000 other minivans Chrysler recalled earlier that month, was also affected by ignition switches that could unexpectedly flip off. The faulty switch may cause stalled cars and the loss of airbag, steering and braking functions. In total, Chrysler has recalled about 1.7 million vehicles for ignition issues since 2011. Problems with ignition switches shot into the national spotlight after [General Motors recalled 2.6 million cars ](http://time.com/100812/gm-recalls/ "undefined")with defective ignition switches, linked to 13 deaths. GM has recalled roughly 15 million additional vehicles for similar issues this year alone. The recall is expected to begin later this month. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3092699/volkswagen-recall-ignition-switch/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3092699/volkswagen-recall-ignition-switch/"},"headline":"Volkswagen Expands Recall Over Ignition Switch Problems","datePublished":"2014-08-08T15:39:43.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-21T09:34:11.806Z","description":"Adding to nearly 700,000 other recalled Chrysler minivans also affected by faulty ignition switches","url":"https://time.com/3092699/volkswagen-recall-ignition-switch/","keywords":["Transportation"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4f0d875bca3b8c78/69869ee0e8524b371b60439a/volkswagen-minivan-recall-ignition-switch.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jack Linshi","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/jack-linshi/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4f0d875bca3b8c78/69869ee0e8524b371b60439a/volkswagen-minivan-recall-ignition-switch.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Volkswagen Recalls 18,500 Minivans","caption":"Volkswagen Recalls 18,500 Minivans","creditText":"Bloomberg via Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3092699/volkswagen-recall-ignition-switch/","name":"Volkswagen Expands Recall Over Ignition Switch Problems"}}]}] ```