2014 Volkswagen Passat
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
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2014
Opened by NHTSA
60% of complaints
Complaints per year
2014: 594 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 40 |
| 1993 | 68 |
| 1994 | 25 |
| 1995 | 94 |
| 1996 | 142 |
| 1997 | 70 |
| 1998 | 331 |
| 1999 | 664 |
| 2000 | 507 |
| 2001 | 430 |
| 2002 | 636 |
| 2003 | 629 |
| 2004 | 279 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 262 |
| 2008 | 168 |
| 2009 | 146 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 484 |
| 2013 | 748 |
| 2014 | 594 |
| 2015 | 243 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 110 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 13 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
60% · 355 reportsMost commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.
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 reportsElectrical system
13% · 75 reportsMost commonly citing horn.
Fuel/propulsion system
8% · 47 reportsSteering
7% · 44 reportsSafety timeline
10 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2014Complaint volume 594 complaints filed for this model year.
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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.
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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.
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I
2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
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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.
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2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
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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.
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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.
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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 →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.