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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2014 · Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passat problems

591 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns on file.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Passat?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
294 reports · fails ~51,798 mi · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
60 reports · fails ~50,363 mi · avg $850
moderate
steering
43 reports · fails ~46,389 mi · avg $700
moderate
engine
41 reports · fails ~62,441 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
36 reports · fails ~62,433 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
visibility
12 reports · fails ~46,731 mi · avg $350
moderate
cruise control
7 reports · fails ~49,000 mi · avg $600
severe
lighting
7 reports · fails ~63,261 mi · avg $250
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2014 Passat's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2014 Passat?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2014 Passat · airbags
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V834000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
2014 Passat · airbags
Air bag defective, dealership won't even take vehicle in trade. Vehicle significantly under valued due to this defect. No resolution given??
2014 Passat · electrical
Purchased 2014 fully loaded passat on 10/26/13, safety issue with car due to my 1.5 hr daily commute. Extremely poor quality when using bluetooth through care stereo, not recognizing names on iphone 4s causing driver to remove eyes from road to look up number which is a major…
2014 Passat · engine
The heating of the windshield and side window defrosting system not working on the passenger side of the car. Vw has already recalled the 2014 passat with the diesel engine. Going back home from tennessee on the interstate at 66 MPH the outside temperature was negative 9 the…
12/29/2020 · at 100,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385522.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 591 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2014 Volkswagen Passat? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 16V171000 March 24, 2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23T3.
severe NHTSA 14V182000 April 15, 2014

Volkswagen of America, Inc

The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.
severe NHTSA 17V309000 May 11, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc

If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.

Fix: 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.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened April 2018

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA18003 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 591 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Volkswagen Passat has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2014 Volkswagen Passat?

The 2014 Volkswagen Passat is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2014 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 294 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 51,798 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 51,798 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Volkswagen Passat has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Volkswagen Passat?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 591 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Volkswagen/Passat. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Volkswagen. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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