2014 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2014 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Passat Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2014 highlighted. 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 34 complaints 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 39 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1993 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 93 complaints 1996: 40 complaints 1997: 37 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 628 complaints 2003 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 481 complaints 2013: 747 complaints 2013 2014: 592 complaints 2014 2015: 242 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 107 complaints 2018: 45 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 15 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 11 complaints 2022
2014: 592 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199239
199368
199425
199593
199640
199737
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003628
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012481
2013747
2014592
2015242
2016106
2017107
201845
201912
202015
202118
202211

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 58%

58% of complaints: air bags — 344 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20250113

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, 20171120

The clock spring is out on the vehicle again

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 77 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 71 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The clock spring is out on the vehicle again

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20171120

SAFETY TIMELINE

2014 — complaint volume: 592
R 20140416 — power train

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.

Campaign 14V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150209 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 15V028000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150324 — PE (closed 20150928)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20160115 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V483000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160915 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 16V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170310 — air bags

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.

Campaign 16V078000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170707 — engine and engine cooling, power train

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.

Campaign 17V309000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20171113 — RQ (closed 20180504)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20180316 — air bags

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.

Campaign 18V148000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180418 — EA (open)

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

R 20190716 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 19V389000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191220 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V862000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241204 — air bags

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.

Campaign 24V834000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2014 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (344 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (77 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (71 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 14V182000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V028000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V483000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V309000 (engine and engine cooling, power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V148000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V389000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V862000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V834000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

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 58% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.