One of the worst Jetta years
Owners filed about 2.1 times as many complaints as a typical Jetta year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 62,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 388 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (114, 29% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the transmission and drivetrain. That ranks 4th of 13 Jetta years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
4 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta before you buy.
Engine and cooling
114 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
My cars consumes oil like crazy. I'd say every week I am adding a quart to two quarts of oil. I would lose power while driving. Sometimes the car would just shut off And then it would take a few times to get it started. I was in the middle of driving when the car just completely shut off on me and it will not start at all. It will crank…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Oil consumption: My 2014 Jetta 1.8T SE is consuming oil at an excessive rate. This began at 30,000 miles and has been to the VW dealership numerous times ending without resolution.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
94 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
the auxiliary heater had burned through the heat shield and melted into the cabin causing a small fire and now some smoke to enter the cabinOwner complaint, filed 2026
Auxiliary Heater, Part# 1KO 963 235 H, Melted at the grounding post, potentially damaging wiring harness. Fire started in driver side footwell on 11/5/2025. Included is a photo of where the fire originated from. Medium burning to hands, and smoke inhalation from my passenger.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Transmission and drivetrain
74 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with low pressure in the transmission and the mechanic associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train); however…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 97,000 miles
According to the mechanic to whom we took the vehicle, there was a massive short in the mechatronics component of the transmission. The mechanic also informed us that there was no proactive action we could have taken prior to this incident to prevent its occurrence. The car and its components are still available for inspection. The short…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
42 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was blinking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the spark plugs were replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 30,000 miles
This letter is not that I've had a component failure, but that I am concerned about the published failure rate of my Bosch CP4, high pressure fuel pump. I've read multiple horror stories of people who had catastrophic fuel pump failure on their diesel car or truck. I just came to my attention that on June 15, 2022, the NHTSA and Chrysler…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Air bags
37 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the son was driving at 46-47 MPH and turning left when another vehicle driving at 65-70 MPH crashed into the entire driver's side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to spin approximately 3 - 4 times before coming to a stop in the middle of the road. No air bags had…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owned a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she was involved in a multi-vehicle accident pileup after a utility truck that was two vehicles ahead of her suddenly braked. The air bags had failed to deploy. The contact's daughter did not require medical…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 121,640 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
32 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The windshield wiper motors are extremely noisy. There is a knock technical service bulletin on this issue but VW says it is not covered as a recall. The issue is that water gets into the improperly sealed motor and then starts to rust the internal metal and then a very loud, noisy whining sound emits from the motor. It should be a…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Headlights need to be replaced on . Does not matter the quality of bulbs that we buy they're burning out at least 3 times a year. Sometimes singularly but has happened to both headlights at same time before. This has been going on for several years nowOwner complaint, filed 2020
Brakes and stability control
28 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
When turning the car on with the clutch and brake depressed, the car will roll until the engine turns over and the car starts. The brake stops functioning as the ignition is turned and does not function until the car is on. The car will roll if on any incline while this happens. When this happens if I attempt to lift my foot off the…Owner complaint, filed 2022
VW said it is the ABS module. It appears they had this same problem in a previous recall. Safety Recall 45F2 - ABS Control Module Software Certain 2009-2010 Model Year Volkswagen Vehicles They said any or all of the of the components represented by the warning lights may not work. With ABS, traction control, brake & airbag potentially…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Steering
17 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving on a public roadway, the power steering assist began to diminish causing a need for increased physical effort to steer the vehicle while an unusual noise (hissing) was detected from the engine compartment area. Examination at an authorized vw service facility revealed a power steering fluid leak from the left side steering…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 58,675 miles
On October 17, 2025, I was driving my 2014 Volkswagen Jetta at approximately 25, 30 mph on the bypass in Muscatine, Iowa. Another vehicle cut into my lane and struck the front driver-side of my car. My vehicle suffered significant front-end impact, including wheel/tire damage, bumper and fender damage, and visible suspension impact.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Cruise control and acceleration
11 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
[XXX] driving on [XXX] , my car accelerated to almost redline without me pushing the pedal, I tried the brake only to find it didn't control the car., it died in the slow lane, no power anything. Eng lite was on, towed to my mechanic, he couldn't find why but the code said EGR, so he cleaned and replaced glow plugs, & regen'd the DPF to…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated to 70 MPH. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact pulled over onto the side of the road and the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 113,000 miles
Suspension
9 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Front end making a banging noise. Local car shop tells me the front Driver side STRUT COIL SPRING is broken and flopping around. Car steers, and drives ok.WHAT IF IT HAD BLOWN MY TIRE when it busted???? Have never seen one of these springs break myself. There are more reports on the internet about this with VW’S. A recall was issued on…Owner complaint, filed 2022
This May, I started hearing a rattling noise under the right front corner of my car. After several hours of looking, I discovered that the right front coil spring was broken! Because of that I couldn't drive my car until it was fixed. On June 3, I bought a used strut assembly from Economy Auto Parts in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Well since…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Seats and seat belts
8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rear ended a vehicle in front of me with enough speed to total my vehicle, however my seatbelt did not lock and I hit the steering wheel with my chest. I had concussion symptoms following the impact for over 4 hours (confusion, fogginess, slowed speech, fatigue not normal for the event)Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 96,812 miles
Even when driver seat belt is clicked, randomly the seat belt light will come on. I've braked hard to test it and sometimes it will not lock against me. Dealer couldnt find it during one test drive.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 39,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
8 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Parts named most: Body (7).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
Please attach this to the previous submission: 11565729 The dealer described it a "hole" where the seam sealer was skipped during production. If they warranty rust holes, why not manufacturing error holes? 12 year rust through warranty. Page 11. Coverage This limited warranty covers any repair or replacement of body sheet metal panels…Owner complaint, filed 2024
[XXX] 10 year old VW Jetta that was always in the garage until last year when we moved. Now have a nauseating mildew smell throughout the interior. Finally found water under the front carpet. Then found this VW Tech Tip (above). Apparently a known manufacturing issue: "seam sealer Skip" is how they refer to it. Now it's out of warranty…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Wheels and tires
6 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I bought these tires and about 30k miles in there was a shaking in my steering wheel. I had been told the tires were almost finished. I had to purchase a whole new set of tires to resolve the issue.Owner complaint, filed 2019
The contact owns a 2014 volkswagen jetta equipped with continental conti pro contact tires, size: 205/55/r16 91h. While driving 60 MPH, the contact felt a vibration and stated that the tires would skid while accelerating from a stop. In addition, both front tires lost pressure. In addition, the tread separated in chunks from the driver's…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 78,945 miles
Driver assist systems
1 complaintPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2014 VW as many other 2014 models are experiencing the following according to my local dealership in Miami: The ABS module is defective effecting other systems and making the car unsafe to drive as it was in 2009 and 2010 models. Dealer repair estimate is between $2500 with $5000! VW should recall before people get hurt!Owner complaint, filed 2023
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by year
Compare the 2014 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2014 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Volkswagen Jetta | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2014 Toyota Corolla | About average | 2 |
| 2014 Honda Civic | About average | 2 |
| 2014 Mazda Mazda3 | About average | 4 |
2014 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
Brakes Master cylinder
- Risk
- If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users.
Full recall summary
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Electrical system Control module
- Risk
- Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Air bags
- Risk
- A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off.
Full recall summary
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. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Fuel system Fuel rail
- Risk
- A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails with new parts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to November 24, 2014, 2014-2015 Passat vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to November 18, 2014, 2015 Golf and GTI vehicles manufactured July 1, 2014, to November 20, 2014, and 2014-2015 Beetle and Beetle Convertible vehicles manufactured March 31, 2014, to November 27, 2014. A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
Transmission and drivetrain Cooling unit and lines
- Risk
- 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.
Full recall summary
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. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
2014 Volkswagen Jetta questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most reported problem areas on the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta are the engine and cooling (114 complaints), the electrical system (94 complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (74 complaints).
Is the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta a good year to buy?
One of the worst Jetta years. Owners filed about 2.1 times as many complaints as a typical Jetta year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 62,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Jetta years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recent, from Sep 2020, covers the master cylinder. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2014 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 62,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 56,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Volkswagen Jetta years should I avoid?
The Jetta years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta?
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