The Lemon Index2014 Volkswagen Passat.
The 2014 Volkswagen Passat is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 327 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 291, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 23 to 34 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Passat year is 2020.
Lemon alert. 2.9× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2020
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 594 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Passat year. 2014 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 75K miles on the car (258 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 27K–75K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 13K–90K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 15K–60K miles
Recalls 10
- airbags 2024
The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- airbags 2019
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- lights 2019
The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2018
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- engine 2017
The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
- electrical 2016
Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.
- airbags 2016
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- airbags 2015
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2015
A sealing cap at the fuel rail may fail, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment.
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 1567 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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
- Reduced performance due to check engine light
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag clockspring failure2018
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2017–2018
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–3450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Takata recall. Nothing has happened as of yet. But, I have yet to receive notice of a remedy for this recall for our 2015 VW Passat.
2014 Volkswagen Passat owner · NHTSA complaint 11006240
More owner reports
When driving car loss of power had towed to VW dealer turbo failure with just 9700 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10678457
Takata airbag there hasn't been 1 specific incident involving the airbags, but my car is on the list of those that should be recalled. Volkswagen didn't notify me, I found out on my own!!!
NHTSA complaint 10854659
Quick answers
Is the 2014 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 291; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Passat year by this measure is 2020.
What are the most common 2014 Volkswagen Passat problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (69%), engine (10%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat get?
23 to 34 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 Volkswagen Passat safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 Volkswagen Passat problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 75,000 miles. The middle report was at 49,200 miles, from 258 complaints.
Does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $3450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen Passat year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2018 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works