2014 Volkswagen Passat Powertrain (other) Problems

The vehicle experienced repeated catastrophic engine failures, including failure of a replacement engine. Approximately six months after purchase and at around 80,000 miles, the engine failed and required a complete engine replacement through Volkswagen and the MaxCare service contract. Approximately one to one and a half years later, at around 120,000 miles, the replacement engine also failed. The vehicle developed rough idle conditions, check engine light warnings, timing chain and camshaft-related issues, lubrication-related concerns, and severe engine performance problems. Volkswagen later recommended another complete engine rebuild or replacement along with additional engine-related repairs. The vehicle became non-operable and could no longer be safely or reliably driven. The repeated failure of both the original engine and replacement engine suggests an ongoing defect-related condition rather than normal wear or an isolated mechanical failure. The problems were confirmed and documented by Volkswagen service personnel. Similar engine-related concerns involving oil consumption, lubrication issues, timing system concerns, and engine performance problems are also reflected in Volkswagen Technical Service Bulletins involving this type of engine.

NHTSA ID

11737686

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

I am reporting a recurring engine defect in a 2014 Volkswagen Passat that has resulted in repeated engine failure and loss of power while driving. Approximately six months after purchase, the vehicle required a complete engine replacement. One to two years after the replacement, the vehicle began exhibiting the same engine-related failures and has since become inoperable again. Manufacturer-issued Technical Service Bulletins addressing these engine defects were issued prior to the sale of the vehicle, indicating the condition was known. The repeated engine failures create unsafe driving conditions, including the risk of sudden loss of power during vehicle operation.

NHTSA ID

11713396

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

1) Transmission vehicle is not able to be driven Driving on the highway taking kids to school as my vehicle would not accelerate put me the kids and all that were on the road that morning at risk because all i could do is coast to get off on the side of the highway. I had it towed to independent center No warning signs, lights or messages nor any other symptoms. 2)also faulty steering wheel clock spring all of the controls stopped working airbag light is on and when turning the wheel it clicks and rubs.

NHTSA ID

11711051

Incident

Dec 3, 2025

My vehicle has a transmission coolant leak, which is common for some of the 2014 Passat. Not pretty sure if it is due to the faulty O-ring recalled for some of 2014 passats.

NHTSA ID

11652865

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

Leak from water pump area and airbag

NHTSA ID

11644972

Incident

Feb 17, 2025

I had just had the engine replaced on my 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI 13 miles previously and on my first drive upon getting my car back I had an error code “transmission overheated” and I lost power while driving and the check engine light also illuminated. The transmission cut out almost immediately when the overheating message illuminated on the dashboard. It then illuminated a wrench where the drive indication is not the dashboard and would not allow selection of any gears. I had the transmission inspected by the dealer and they aren’t sure what happened and that it does indeed need a new transmission. The fact that I lost the ability to drive the car immediately after the light came on while driving seems dangerous to me and a transmission with 63,000 miles and 64 degrees F shouldn’t overheat. It is a DSG transmission and I have read online of several other owners experiencing similar situations of the transmission having faulty parts and overheating. I also reached out to Volkswagen of America and they said there isn’t anything they can do as the car is out of warranty (I believe the warranty for the transmission was 60,000). I had pointed out to Volkswagen that the transmission is cooled by the engine so a brand new engine 13 miles ago and then the consequent overheating and terminal failure seems rather odd to me. Had I been driving on the freeway instead of 40 mph the situation could have ended significantly different then it did.

NHTSA ID

11538160

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving a 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where she informed the mechanic that she had to top off the oil reservoir with 1 to 2 quarts of oil every two weeks. The mechanic informed her that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and referred her to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where she was informed that the upper timing chain cover and transmission oil cooler needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V182000 (Power Train) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and she was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

NHTSA ID

11460019

Incident

Apr 3, 2022

Mileage

149,000 mi

Dual Mass Flywheel Failure

NHTSA ID

11440143

Incident

Oct 20, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V182000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE STATED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN TEAM VOLKSWAGEN OF BALLWIN (15121 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN APART TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT RECALLS WERE VIN SPECIFIC. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11400422

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

101,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT AN UNKNOWN FLUID HAD BEEN LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE O-RING BETWEEN THE OIL COOLER AND TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTIFIED HIM OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V182000 (POWER TRAIN) WHICH WAS LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED ORLANDO VW NORTH (1050 LEE RD, ORLANDO, FL 32810) AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11394465

Incident

Jan 25, 2021

Mileage

140,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE OIL LEVEL WAS SO LOW THAT NO OIL WAS SHOWING ON THE DIP STICK. DEALERSHIP ADDED 3.8 QUARTS ITS AND NOTED THEY SUSPECT BASED ON MY HISTORY OF TIMELY OIL CHANGES THAT THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING OIL. THE LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THE CAR IS STILL CONSUMING OIL AND NO INDICATOR LIGHT IS COMING ON.

NHTSA ID

11377358

Incident

Oct 13, 2020

Mileage

119,000 mi

WHILE AT IDLE THE TIMING CHAIN MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. I HAD THE TIMIING CHAIN , GUIDES, AND TENTIONER REPLACED, AND IT STILL MAKES THE SAME NOISE. THE VAREIBLE CAM TIMING IS NOW MAKING A NOISE.

NHTSA ID

11359854

Incident

Sep 8, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE HEATER CORE IN THESE CARS ARE HORRIBLE I'VE HAD MIND REPLACED 3 TIMES AND I HAVE TO GET ANOTHER HEATER CORE AND MY CAR FLOOR IS FULL OFF WATER AND IT KEEPS LEAKING AND THE WAY THE SOUND WHEN YOUR TAKING OFF I NOTICED THAT SOUND LIKE A MINI WEED EATER WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS

NHTSA ID

11319189

Incident

Mar 24, 2020

Mileage

916,888 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT TO SECOND AND THIRD GEAR WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,125.

NHTSA ID

11307718

Incident

Jan 17, 2020

Mileage

69,125 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRESTIGE VOLKSWAGEN OF TURNERSVILLE LOCATED AT 4271 E BLACK HORSE PIKE, TURNERSVILLE, NJ 08012 (856) 629-9200, FOR AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER UNKNOWN). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF TWO ADDITIONAL UNKNOWN OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING FROM THE DEALER BACK TO THE RESIDENCE THE ELECTRONIC POWER CONTROL (EPC) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE WAS LOW. THE CONTACT DISPUTED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW AND INSTEAD STATED THAT EPC WARNING LIGHT FAILURE WAS DUE TO A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AFTER TWO DAYS, THE EPC WARNING LIGHT AGAIN BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND REMAINED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEALER FOR TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A $600 CHARGE TO PLACE AN OIL LEVEL MONITOR ON THE VEHICLE HOWEVER DUE TO THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE CONTACT AND THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO ANOTHER AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL VOLKSWAGEN LOCATED AT 2261 NJ-70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, (888) 486-1840 FOR A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND AN UNDISCLOSED PART WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE EPC WARNING LIGHT ALSO RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO CHERRY HILLS VOLKSWAGEN AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $800 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, IT WAS STATED THAT THE REPAIR MAY NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11297974

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE BY AN INDEPENDNDENT MECHANIC, TRASMISSION FLUID WAS FOUND LEAKING UNDENEATH THE VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING UP RECALL INFOFRMATION ONLINE, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE, IT HAD ALREADY EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE LIMIT. AS A RESULT, THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO DID NOT ASSIST WITH SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE CONTACT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID

11291348

Incident

Dec 26, 2019

Mileage

84,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER O-RING WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

11182750

Incident

Feb 25, 2019

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND "VEHICLE NEED MAINTENANCE" WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V182000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ID

11176541

Incident

Jan 25, 2019

Mileage

81,000 mi

THE MOTOR KEPT MAKING NOISE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS WENT TO VOLKSWAGEN OF MEMPHIS THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, 2 MONTHS LATER SMELLED GAS COMING FROM CAR THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, 2 MONTHS AFTER THAT THE OVERHEAT INDICATOR WAS ON COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT WAS OUT OF SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS NOT HAPPY WITH THE CAR AT ALL BUT ALMOST DONE PAYING ON IT WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER.

NHTSA ID

11129581

Incident

Nov 24, 2017

Mileage

10,200 mi

REGARDING RECALL NHTSA BULLETIN 14V182000 - MY 2014 VW PASSAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES OUTLINED IN THE BULLETIN OUTLINE ABOVE HOWEVER, IT APPEARS MY VIN DOES NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE MANUFACTURES RECALL. I HAVE A O-RING THAT IS FAULTY AND HAS CREATED A LEAK BETWEEN THE OIL COOLER AND TRANSMISSION. BASED ON THE RECALL IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE REGARDING THE SEAL IS EXPANDED BEYOND THE MANUFACTURES CRITERIA AND SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL 2014 VW PASSAT. PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS LEAK WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS WAS A REAR CRANK SEAL LEAK, NOT THE CASE.

NHTSA ID

11093683

Incident

May 11, 2018

Mileage

90,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LEAKAGE DRIPPING FLUID WHERE IT MIGHT CONTACT A HOT SURFACE AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. ALLEGEDLY ACCORDING TO VW THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IN VEHICLES WITH MY VIN, BUT MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ID

11089922

Incident

Apr 19, 2018

Mileage

109,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (AUTOFAIR FORD, 1475 S WILLOW ST, MANCHESTER, NH) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID ON THE HOUSING CASE, THE TRANSMISSION UNIT WAS LEAKING FLUID, AND THE SEALS AND WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AUTOFAIR VOLKSWAGEN OF NASHUA (717 NEW HAMPSHIRE #101A, MERIMACK, NH 03054). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE SYMPTOMS WERE SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V182000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,482.

NHTSA ID

11066144

Incident

Jan 22, 2018

Mileage

72,482 mi

TRANSMISSION ERRATIC SHIFTING. VERY COMMON ISSUE!

NHTSA ID

11061104

Incident

Jan 8, 2018

Mileage

66,100 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IT LEAKED OIL ONTO THE GROUND. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM THE UPPER INTAKE TUBE INTO THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. VOLKSWAGEN KEARNY MESA IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14182000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,099.

NHTSA ID

11042754

Incident

Nov 1, 2017

Mileage

71,099 mi

THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS LISTED AS "AUTOMATIC", HOWEVER IT JERKS ON SLOW SPEEDS AND SLOWING DOWN. THIS PERFORMANCE IS DESCRIBED IN THE DSG DIAGRAM FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY WEB SITE. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THIS MANUFACTURER (VW) WAS THE FIRST TO DESIGN THIS AN AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, IT WAS NOT APPROVED BY THE NHSTA. THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE CLASSIFIED AND THEN CERTIFIED AS AUTOMATIC. THE BUYING PUBLIC SHOULD BE NOTIFIED IF THEIR VEHICLE HAS THIS ALTERNATE TRANSMISSION. THE JERK AND LURCH OF THE VEHICLE IS PROBLEMATIC IF THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL AT THE EVENT THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY AT FAULT. THERE IS NO GRIND IN THE GEARS LIKE A TRADITIONAL AUTOMATIC TO INDICATE MALFUNCTION. THIS OCCURS AT EVERY START, STOP WHICH MAKES IT THE REGULAR PERFORMANCE FOR THE VEHICLE, BUT HOW DOES THE OWNER KNOW WHEN THINGS ARE NOT. OCCURS STOPPING AT LIGHTS. FOLLOWING IN SLOW TRAFFIC. DRIVING UP HILL. PARKING.

NHTSA ID

11025174

Incident

Jul 22, 2017

Mileage

67,000 mi