2014 Volkswagen Jetta problems
The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta has 553 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (21%) concerns engine. After that come electrical system (17%) and drivetrain & axles (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 553 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 33 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 24 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 57,000 miles 383 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 95 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 50 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 51 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 76 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 53 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 43 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 11 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 383 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 57,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 62,000 miles (80 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 33 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 24 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2014 ranks 11th most-complained-about out of 35 model years of the Volkswagen Jetta with enough data (371 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
My car was involved in a front end collision and my air bags did not deploy. My vehicle was totaled. My car was moving at a slow speed to make a left turn when another vehicle hit my vehicle at a fast speed
I was in a car accident that caused significant damage but the air bags did not deploy. My estimation is the driver who hit me was going 40-45 MPH.
Diesel exhaust smell enters cabin through interior climate control vents. Smell is originating from rear of engine, smell is pure un treated diesel exhaust. Dealer has replaced several components but to no avail. Unable to find any sign of leak with smoke or pressure testing. Smell enters cabin when vehicle is stationary, worse when cold or when engine is in the midst of a diesel particulate filter regeneration. Vwoa says normal and operates like other vehicles. Refusing to send lead tech out to investigate.
Car engine just died while in drive, usually while slowing down and coming to a stop. When brought in for repair, a fuel engine was replaced. Two weeks later the problem began occurring again. Another part was replaced. Four months later, the problem has returned. The engine starts to shake will in idle with foot on break. And then shuts off.