Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Owners filed 388 complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA between Nov 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (108).
Complaints
388
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine108
- Electrical system94
- Power train74
- Fuel/propulsion system38
- Air bags37
- Exterior lighting24
- Service brakes18
- Steering17
- Vehicle speed control11
- Electronic stability control (esc)10
- Suspension9
- Structure7
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Visibility/wiper5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
36
25
23
48
45
78
36
20
31
14
15
9
6
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 36 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 78 |
| 2020 | 36 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
108 reports3 crashes
“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 light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that there was no fault found with the vehicle. The contact continued driving however, while driving uphill at 25 MPH and approaching a stop sign at an intersection, the vehicle independently accelerated to 50 MPH, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and allowed the vehicle to slow down before driving to a local dealer for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that additional diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”
Electrical system
94 reports2 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“I am experiencing multiple safety-related issues with the driver's side door latch/lock assembly on my Volkswagen vehicle. These problems are isolated to the driver's door and appear linked to a known defect involving water intrusion and freezing. Symptoms include: In cold mornings (around 7:30 AM), the driver's door latch frequently freezes shut, likely due to moisture ingress that freezes in sub-freezing conditions—preventing opening from the exterior and sometimes the interior handle. This aligns with Volkswagen TSB 57-18-01, which addresses moisture-related freezing of front door latches. I must enter through the passenger door. While driving, the vehicle triggers "door open" chimes and warnings. The door is latched, but the door is not locked while driving. Which causes wind to catch on the door. If I am able to get the door open from the interior handle, the door will not latch closed. The driver's door fails to lock securely while using the hand exterior sensor or the lock button on the car keys. The other doors lock, but leaves the driver's door unlocked, with no audible unlock confirmation. The selective unlock feature is also inoperative, as the…”
Power train
74 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“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, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
38 reports1 crash
“WHAT HAPPENS IS MY CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AFTER ME GETTING GAS SOMETIMES AND ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR. WHEN SHUTTING DOWN A QUICK FLASH OF BATTERY LIGHT SHOWS UP, NOW ENGINE LIGHT IS ON LONGER AND THE CAR POWER JUST SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN AS IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD NOTHING WORK BUT WITH A JUMP I WAS ABLE TO MOVE CAR AND WHEN I CUT IT OFF IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN THIS BEEN GOIN ON FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH ADVANCE AUTO TEST IT AND SAID IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY FUEL PUMP DON'T REMEMBER THE CODE BUT ENGINE KEEP COMING ON VERY OFTEN.”
Air bags
37 reports12 crashes1 related recall
“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. During the crash, the driver-side airbag did NOT deploy, even though the impact was directly to the front driver-side area where the crash sensors are located. The airbag warning light did not come on before or after the crash. Because the force of the impact was strong enough to damage the front wheel, suspension components, and bumper structure, I believe the airbag system (airbag module, front crash sensor, or related wiring) failed to detect the crash properly. A collision at this speed and angle should have triggered airbag deployment. This failure put me at risk of serious injury. I am reporting this because the airbag system did not function as intended in a front-end collision, and I am concerned there is a defect affecting the airbag deployment sensors or modules in this model.”
Exterior lighting
24 reports
“IN THE FOLLOWING, LB/HB IS LOW BEAM, HIGH BEAM: ' THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR FOR HB IS ALWAYS ON, EVEN WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN LEVER IS ON LB AND LIGHTS ARE REALLY LB. ' THE TURN SIGNAL DASHBOARD LIGHT BLINKS FAST -- LIKE THERE IS A BURNT-OUT BULB -- BUT THEY ACTUALLY FLASH FINE. ' WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN LEVER IS SET TO HB, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE ARE DEAD; OR, THE HB BULB DOESN'T LIGHT AT ALL AND THE LB BULB GOES FAINT. ' WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THEY STAY ON ' SAY I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT ALL EVERYTHING IS FINE. I TURN THE CAR OFF; WHEN I START IT UP AGAIN SECONDS LATER, THE LIGHTS ARE MESSED UP FINALLY, THE LIGHTS USUALLY STAY EITHER WORKING OR ARE MESSED UP WHILE DRIVING, BUT ONCE IN A WHILE, THEY WILL GO FROM WORKING TO MESSED UP OR VICE VERSA WHILE DRIVING. BUT I WORK AT NIGHT AND LIVE ONLY ONE MILE FROM MY JOB, SO I HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT FOR ANY SIGNIFICANT LENGTH OF TIME. THE MOST COMMON SCENARIO IS THAT THE CAR HAS SAT FOR HOURS; I START IT, AND THE LIGHTS ARE EITHER MESSED UP OR WORKING FINE, AND THEY STAY THAT WAY UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.