2014 Volkswagen Golf Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Golf, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags433.3%
- Engine216.7%
- Fuel system216.7%
- Powertrain (other)216.7%
- Brakes18.3%
- Electrical18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL A VW DEALER SERVICE INVOICE STATES THEY COMPLETED THE RECALL ON THIS CAR, BUT YOUR WEBSITE SAYS IT IS INCOMPLETE, ACCORDING TO MY VIN. VW OF AMERICA SENT ME RECALL NOTICES IN MARCH & APRIL OF 2018. COMMUNITY VW, SANTA MARIA, CA 93456 [805 348-3221] INVOICE DATE: 12/19/17 CUSTOMER NUMBER: 50792 TECHNICIAN NUMBER: 34657 I WOULD LIKE TO VERIFY THAT THE WORK WAS ACTUALLY DONE. IS THERE AN IDENTIFYING MARK, LABEL OR NUMBER THAT I CAN SEE SOMEWHERE ON THE AIRBAG? THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JENNINGS VOLKSWAGEN, LOCATED AT 201 WAUKEGAN ROAD, GLENVIEW, IL, WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR UNLESS THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT NHTSA APPROVED THEIR REMEDY AS PERMANENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My vehicle has (2) serpentine belts, and (2) Belt Tensioners. (1) Tensioner is for the belt that engages the Water Pump, Alternator, Power Steering and then has (3) Idler Pulleys. The other one is the AC Tensioner, that belt routes from the AC Compressor to the Crank and the AC Tensioner. The AC Compressor is a dual belt pulley. So the AC Tensioner is suppling the power for the Accessory Belt to spin, and operate the cooling system, charging system, and power steering. Recently the Accessory Belt ripped, and since the belts and the tensioners have yet to be serviced, I planned on doing both tensioners and belts. Upon replacing the components with new ones, the AC tensioner rubs against the Accessory Belt, which will def cause the belt to rip. Further investigating, I saw the original AC Tensioner has a cut out on the side of the housing made, so that the Accessory Belt will not rub against it and spin freely. I called VW Service, O Reillys, Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, and none of the tensioners have the cut out, they all have the same tensioner that is being sold. So what do I do now? Vehicle is not drivable, and without the correct part, this vehicle is unable to safely drive. Once that belt rips, cooling system won’t work, charging system and power steering. My vehicle has almost 200K and is mechanically sound, I maintain the maintenance on this vehicle to a T. Yet I am unable to purchase a part that is needed to ensure this vehicle continues to operate safely, due to a complete engineering design mistake. In which it seems to be completely covered up, because how many people will really service the tensioner. Well I did, and I would like my vehicle to run again, seeing as how the manufacturer decided to make this shortcut, and cross there fingers and hope no issues arose
I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH A P0106 CODE. IT CONTINUOUSLY COMES OFF AND ON. I HAVE HAD THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED, I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE CLEANED AND RELATABLE PARTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES, AND WILL JUST GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE READ THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO UPDATE THE ECM WHICH HAS THEN FIXED THE ISSUE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE AN EXPENSE TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FOR AN UPDATE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'M HAVING ISSUES WITH A P0106 CODE. IT CONTINUOUSLY COMES OFF AND ON. I HAVE HAD THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED, I HAVE HAD THE INTAKE CLEANED AND RELATABLE PARTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AT RANDOM TIMES, AND WILL JUST GO AWAY ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE READ THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO UPDATE THE ECM WHICH HAS THEN FIXED THE ISSUE. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE AN EXPENSE TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FOR AN UPDATE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE FREEWAY, IN THE FAST LANE, AT 70 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A BLINKING YELLOW WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE LIGHT RESEMBLES AN ELECTRICAL COIL AND IS REFERRED TO AS A GLOW PLUG LIGHT. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STALLED. I PUT ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE RIGHT DUE TO TRAFFIC AND A DEAD ENGINE. AS A RESULT WE HAD TO STOP IN THE CENTER DIVIDER. IT TOOK 45 MIN FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. THIS WHILE TRAFFIC FLEW BY. THE FAULT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAILURE BY THE DEALERSHIP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving on the freeway the car stopped accelerating and would only rev when gas pedal was pressed. I coasted to the fast lane shoulder and put on hazard lights. CHP had to stop freeway traffic to push me to the side of the freeway. Car eventually restarted and let me put into gear. I drove to Auto repair store and they scanned car. Code U0103 came back: No communication with gear shift module.
THE SLAVE CYLINDER WENT BAD ITS PORING FLUID OUT IT COMPLETELY FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT HAS EXACTLY 34,272 MILES IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT THAT MILEAGE AND AGE I KNOW OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE AROUND THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE ITS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF IT HAD WENT OUT COMPLETELY ON THE HIGHWAY SINCE AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO SINCE YOU CANT CHANGE GEARS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CHARLES MAUND VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 6900 BURNET RD, AUSTIN, TX 78757, PHONE NUMBER: (512) 458-1111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED BUT A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PART WAS REPLACED BUT ANOTHER YEAR LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 40 MPH, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE DEER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE ABS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHAT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,085.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving on the freeway the car stopped accelerating and would only rev when gas pedal was pressed. I coasted to the fast lane shoulder and put on hazard lights. CHP had to stop freeway traffic to push me to the side of the freeway. Car eventually restarted and let me put into gear. I drove to Auto repair store and they scanned car. Code U0103 came back: No communication with gear shift module.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .