The Lemon Index

All cars · Volkswagen Jetta · 2014

2014 Volkswagen Jetta. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index78100 = average car
Complaints140NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold160,873U.S. model year
Per 100K sold87complaints
Year rank#8 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 11

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.4L 4-cyl turbo hybridAuto (AM-S7)FWD41 / 48 / 44Premium$1,750
1.8L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spdFWD26 / 36 / 30Regular$2,100
1.8L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD25 / 36 / 29Regular$2,150
2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD24 / 34 / 28Regular$2,200
2.0L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD23 / 29 / 25Regular$2,500
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM-S6)FWD24 / 32 / 27Premium$2,850
2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFWD23 / 33 / 26Premium$3,000
2.0L 4-cyl turbo dieselAuto (AM-S6)FWD29 / 37 / 32Diesel$2,950
2.0L 4-cyl turbo dieselManual 6-spdFWD29 / 39 / 32Diesel$2,950
2.5L 5-cylAuto (S6)FWD23 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
2.5L 5-cylManual 5-spdFWD23 / 33 / 26Regular$2,400

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 85,500 miles. Median 56,000, from 313 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine65,00021,800–90,00083
Electrical55,50020,000–82,00071
Transmission & drivetrain71,50051,400–99,60062
Fuel or ev drive system71,20030,200–100,00036
Airbags55,50022,500–77,10025

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical25%
Engine24%
Transmission & drivetrain11%
Fuel or ev drive system10%
Airbags8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
44124217032

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 20E064000 Sep 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

  • 19V615000 Aug 2019 Electrical System / Ignition / Anti-Theft / Control Module

    Defect. 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."

    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.

    Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.

  • 15V483000 Aug 2015 Air Bags / Frontal

    Defect. 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.

    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.

    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. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen

  • 15V028000 Jan 2015 Fuel System, Gasoline / Fuel Injection System / Fuel Rail

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24BL. Note: This recall expands and supersedes recall 14V-809 (Volkswagen recall number 24Bi) and only affects vehicles not previously repaired under that

  • 14V182000 Apr 2014 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Cooling Unit And Lines

    Defect. 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.

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

    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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenAir bag clockspring failure2018–
ClosedAir bag clockspring failure20172018
ClosedAir bag clockspring failure20152015

Manufacturer communications 1597

Volkswagen filed 1597 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Diagnosis for high pressure fuel pump where no start, engine crank, without driving, after long
  • When vehicle is at idle or the oil pressure light is on, there is no oil or have low oil pressure
  • During cold weather, engine fails to start, after standing, and if moisture, from intake air

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Volkswagen Jetta HEV 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2011133275177,360Fuel system, diesel
201293180170,424Electrical
201387179163,793Engine
201478140160,873Electrical
20155780131,109Electrical
20165973121,107Brakes
20176377115,807Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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