2014 Volkswagen Jetta

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 386 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 386

Of the 2014 reports, 20 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine108 reports · 28% of complaints
Owner complaints386Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine108
  2. Electrical system94
  3. Power train73
  4. Other or unspecified71
  5. Fuel/propulsion system38
  6. Air bags37
  7. Exterior lighting24
  8. Service brakes18

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020

    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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Electrical system, ignition, anti-theft, control moduleAug 22, 2019

    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."

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 19V615000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontalAug 4, 2015

    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.

    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.

    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 customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 15V483000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Fuel system, gasoline, fuel injection system, fuel railJan 23, 2015

    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.

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

    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 campaign.

    Campaign 15V028000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Power train, automatic transmission, cooling unit and linesApr 15, 2014

    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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 14V182000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

386 reports, newest first.

  1. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 21, 2018

    THE DOOR LOCKS WONT WORK, KEEPS JUST CLICKING, THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE WHEN DRIVING ALONE OR STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS, ANYONE CAN ENTER YOUR VEHICLE AT ANYTIME.THE KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WONT TURN. HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING

  2. Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 15, 2018

    STATIONARY, IN MOTION, AND WHEN TURNING--AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DOESN'T WORK AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DO NOT WORK. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TWO MONTHS AGO--WITH ONLY 30K MILES. AT 34K MILES WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED.

  3. Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2018

    THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. IT HAS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AND OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN DECELERATING, IDLING, OR PARKED. OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE ENGINE OFF, POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AREN'T AVAILABLE.

  4. Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2018

    THE CAR LOST ACCELERATION, FELT LIKE DRIVING WITH THE E-BRAKE ON. GLOW PLUG INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH FLASHES. DROVE ABOUT 3 MORE MILES TRYING TO MAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC IN TOWN, BEFORE IT COMPLETELY DIED. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHO RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT FOR $6500.00!

  5. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 26, 2018

    LOW BEAM ISSUE, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHT NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY KEEP GOING OUT WITHOUT THE BULB BEING BAD

  6. Air bags, Jun 25, 2018

    DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. BROKE UNDER NORMAL STEERING WHEEL OPERATION WHILE PARKING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED, THIS IN TURN CAUSED STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS TO BECOME INOPERABLE AND ACTIVATED AIR-BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT.

  7. Seat belts, Jun 18, 2018

    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.

  8. Electrical system, Jun 4, 2018

    CAR RUNNING AND STOPPED, IGNITION KEY IS STUCK AND WILL NOT TURN CAR OFF OR RELEASE.

  9. Electrical system, May 31, 2018

    IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK, UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON. THE CAR WILL NOT SWITCH OVER. ALL LIGHTS AND ACCESSORIES WORK BUT THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON. THE IGNITION KEY REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT TO GET LOOSE.

  10. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 28, 2018

    I HAVE 2014 VW JETTA THE CAR HAS HORN PROBLEM AND ALSO SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. HORN SOMETIMES WORKING SOMETIMES NOT. THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM SHOULD BE FIXED. DEALER TRY TO CHARGE ME THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND ALSO REPAIR COST.

  11. Other or unspecified, May 28, 2018

    IGNITION SWITCH. MY IGNITION SWITCH IS GOING OUT, IT HAS BECOME HARD FOR ME TO TURN ON AND TURN OFF MY CAR. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS INVOLVING OTHER AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS AND THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. ITS DANGEROUS FOR ME TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE.

  12. Fuel/propulsion system, May 9, 2018

    VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BEGAN EXPERIENCING RATTLING/SHAKING IN IDLE, DIED MULTIPLE TIMES, IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IT! SPECIFICALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN.

  13. Electrical system, May 4, 2018

    IGNITION WAS STUCK ON WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHUT OFF TOLD BY THE DEALER TO LET IT RUN OUT OF GAS. LOOKED ONLINE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH UNABLE TO BE SHUT OFF CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD

  14. Electrical system, May 2, 2018

    KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE!

  15. Electrical system, May 2, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM ELLIS VOLKSWAGEN ATLANTA (5901 PEACHTREE BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, (888) 848-3509) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN THE DIAGNOSIS RESULTS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. *TT *JS

  16. Air bags, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 27, 2018

    TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI EDITION 30 W/NAVIGATION. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING THAT'S RIGHT IN MOTION. THE SAME DAY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING WHEN I TURNED IT TO THE LEFT ONE DAY. I WENT TO USE MY HORN AND IT WOULDN'T WORK. THEN NOTICED ALL OF MY ALL THE BUTTONS ON MY STEERING WHEEL WERE NOT WORKING EITHER. THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS ARE THE CONTROLS FOR THE NAVIGATION SETTINGS, TIME, PHONE. THERE ISN'T A WAY TO CHANGE SETTING USING THE CONSOLE BUTTONS. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE THE HUB OF SETTING CONTROLS. I CAN NOT USE MY HORN FOR ANYTHING. 18 WHEELERS SWAYING, SOMEONE NOT PAYING ATTENTION I CAN NOT USE MY HORN FOR ANY OF THESE REASONS. EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR I AM WITHOUT AN AIRBAG. I WENT ONLINE TO DO SOME RESEARCH. I FOUND A RECALL FOR THE 2014 JETTA I PRINTED OUT THE RECALL # AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SAID THIS RECALL AND THE CLICKING ON MY STEERING WHEEL MATCH. CAN YOU FIX THIS HERE? THE REPRESENTATIVE THEN TOLD ME THAT HE WAS SORRY THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE GLI 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION JETTA. THE SHOP WOULD NOT ORDER THE PART WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH COST ME $120.88. ONCE THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS COMPLETE I RECEIVED A CALL "MA'AM YOU ARE CORRECT THE CLOCK SPRING IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART IS $290.07 AND LABOR $316.88 WITH TAX A TOTAL OF $682.33 EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING MATCHED THE RECALL. BECAUSE THIS RECALL ISN'T EXPANDED AND DOESN'T INCLUDE THE CORRECT CARS. I HAVE HAD TO PAY $803.21. I AM OUT SAFELY DRIVING WITH A AIRBAG OR THE SAFETY OF A HORN. THIS RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL CARS AFFECTED.

  17. Engine, Apr 23, 2018

    I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2016 AT 30K MILES AND IT CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 50K MILES THE ENGINE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RECALL OR REPLACE. I'VE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH VW AND AUDI 2.0T ENGINES IN SOME CASES I'VE HEARD OF ENGINES FIRES AS WELL AS POWER FAILURE ON FREEWAYS THAT CAUSED POTENTIALLY DEADLY ACCIDENTS, LOST OF HANDLING LOSS OF POWER IN GENERAL. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED TO ME WHILE NOT IN MOTION BUT INSTEAD IN A DRIVEWAY. MY CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 6 MONTHS NOW AND IS NO LONGER COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY AND WILL BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF POCKET.

  18. Exterior lighting, Apr 21, 2018

    WHEN DRIVING ONE EVENING, I NOTICED BOTH LOW BEAMS NOT PROVIDING LIGHT. MY HIGH BEAMS WORK SO I DROVE WITH THEM AS TO NOT DRIVE IN THE DARK. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. I HAD TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS EVEN WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THEM ALSO. WHEN LOW BEAMS ARE TURNED ON, ONLY A SMALL LIGHT THAT DOES NOT PROVE ANY LLIGHT TO SEE IS ON. I NOTICED THIS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE ALL THREE LIGHT POSITIONS; DAY, LOW, AND HIGH.

  19. Engine, Apr 10, 2018

    THE SERVICE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE CAME ON 4-5-18 WHEN I ARRIVED HOME. I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AS THE SERVICE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. ON FRIDAY APRIL 6, 2018 I WENT TO THE STORE AND CAME BACK HOME AS THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AND PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY. APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LATER I WENT TO RETURN SOME ITEMS AS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK OVER. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEAR BY VW DEALERSHIP AND FOUR DAYS LATER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPED AND MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY MOTOR. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT MAY COST ANYWHERE FROM $2,000.00 TO $10,000.00. I WAS INFORM THAT A NEW MOTOR WILL COST $10,000.00. WHILE VIEWING THE INTERNET I NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, ISSUES AND LAW SUITS PERTAINING TO THIS SIMILAR ISSUE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RE-CALL WITH MULTIPLE COMPLAINANTS?

  20. Service brakes, Apr 10, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL FELT HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN, 2805 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE CAMSHAFT LOBE HAD SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

  21. Power train, Mar 21, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL STAIN ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW VOLKSWAGEN IN GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V182000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

  22. Electrical system, Mar 18, 2018

    THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS, CANNOT TURN OFF VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WITH EITHER OF THE TWO IGNITION KEYS SUPPLIED BY DEALER.

  23. Equipment, Mar 5, 2018

    2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP WITH VEHICLE VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VOICE RECOGNITION SOFTWARE HAS A FLAW WITH RECOGNIZING FEMALE VOICES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS

  24. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2018

    AFTER REPLACING THREE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT BULBS IN MY 20K MILES OF OWNERSHIP, LAST WEEK BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AS IF A RELAY WAS CONTINUOUSLY BEING TRIGGERED. I HAVE HEARD LOTS OF STRANGE RELAY SOUNDS(CHATTER) FROM BENEATH THE DASH OF THIS VEHICLE. I CHECKED FUSES; THOUGH VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT PROVIDE OR PUBLICLY PUBLISH FUSE BOX DIAGRAMS, I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM CONTINUITY ON EACH FUSE. MY NEXT STEP WAS TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS SO AS USUAL I BOUT THE TOP OF THE LINE BULB FOR THE CAR, THIS DIDN'T CHANGE A THING. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHO CLAIMS THE BULBS JUST BURNT OUT AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE I WAS USING "AFTERMARKET BULBS". IN OTHER WORDS, I WOULD HAVE TO BRING MY CAR INTO THE DEALER TO REPLACE SIMPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUCH AS BULBS AND FUSES. AS AN ELECTRONICS SPECIALIST WORKING IN RESEARCH AND DESIGN I FIND THE RATE AT WHICH THE BULBS ARE FAILING TO BE BOTH ALARMING AND INDICATIVE OF A PROBLEM SOME WHERE ELSE IN LIGHT POWER CIRCUIT (RELAYS, SHORTS, TOLERANCES) . IT SEEMS LIKE MANY OTHER VW JETTA OWNERS FOR 2011-2014 ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO BRING MY CAR IN TO A SHOP TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED. WHILE AT THE SAME TIME VW PUBLISHES NO INFORMATION FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER TO TROUBLESHOOT THESE ISSUES ON THEIR OWN. KINDA SEEMS WRONG, MAYBE ILLEGAL.

  25. Power train, Electrical system, Jan 19, 2018

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALEXANDRIA VOLKSWAGEN (107 WEST GLEBE RD, ALEXANDRIA, VA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE GASKET AND OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY BECAME STUCK AND FRACTURED INSIDE THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V182000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.