2014 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2014 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
594
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2014

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

60% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 594 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 594 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 594 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2014: 594 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202118
202213

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

60% · 355 reports

Most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

A prior recall that was supposedly fixed, broke again. Submitted several complaints with Nhtsa and Volkswagen. Volkswagen said i had to pay a fee to verify what was wrong with my vehicle because the recall had already been fixed before.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-28

Also filed under Electrical system and exterior lighting

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while stopped at a yield sign, the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-13

I have a recalled Takata air bag in my vehiclke. I dodged a dog in the road and hit the guard rail where it is buried in the ground. My passet traveled 15-20 feet up the gaurd rail. The car was very damaged and my air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-20

Also filed under Steering and structure

Engine

13% · 77 reports
FIRE

Electrical system

13% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing horn.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

8% · 47 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

7% · 44 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2014Complaint volume 594 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2014-04-16Power train14V182000 Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

  3. R
    2015-02-09Fuel system, gasoline15V028000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

  4. I
    2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  5. R
    2016-01-15Air bags15V483000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off.

  6. R
    2016-09-15Electrical system16V171000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

  7. R
    2017-03-10Air bags16V078000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available.

  8. R
    2017-07-07Engine and engine cooling, power train17V309000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG).

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.

  9. I
    2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  10. R
    2018-03-16Air bags18V148000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

  11. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  12. R
    2019-07-16Exterior lighting19V389000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, block the headlight horizontal adjustment, free of charge. The recall began July 16, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

  13. R
    2019-12-20Air bags19V862000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.

  14. R
    2024-12-04Air bags24V834000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Buy-smart checklist

2014 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 355 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 77 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 75 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14V182000 · Power train
  • Recall 15V028000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 15V483000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V309000 · Engine and engine cooling, power train
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V389000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 19V862000 · Air bags
  • Recall 24V834000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2014 Volkswagen Passat is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.