2014 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Volkswagen Jetta has 386 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 70, and 4 recalls, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years with a Caution verdict. Engine (31%) and electrical (28%) issues dominate the complaint mix, with median failure mileage around 55,000-66,835 depending on system.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Jetta years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 386
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 24.5 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2014 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine119 (31%)
- Electrical System109 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain73 (19%)
- Other72 (19%)
- Fuel System42 (11%)
- Airbags37 (10%)
- Brakes28 (7%)
- Steering17 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (4%)
- Structure & Body11 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly become less effective or unresponsive at highway speeds, with some owners saying pedal pressure made braking worse.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes, sometimes resulting in concussions or other injuries.
- Owners describe clutch and transmission failures requiring repeated replacement, including a report of a rebuilt transmission and two clutches.
- Electrical system complaints include a persistent tire sensor warning and water leaks that continued across driving conditions.
- A seat belt reportedly failed to lock during a rear-end collision, allowing the driver to strike the steering wheel.
2014 Volkswagen Jetta recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V615000Aug 22, 2019Electrical System679,027 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module
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."
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 15V028000Jan 23, 2015Fuel System44,658 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail
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.
Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: 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.
2014 Volkswagen Jetta fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,775
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Jetta ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict, meaning it has more reported problems than most other Jetta years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Jetta?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 31% of all reports, followed by Electrical System issues at 28% and Transmission & Powertrain problems at 19%.
- Does the 2014 Jetta have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Jetta, covering the electrical system, airbags, fuel system, and transmission oil cooler O-ring seals.
- How does the 2014 Jetta compare to other years?
- The 2014 Jetta's complaint index of 70 is lower than the worst years like 2009 and 2010 (100 and 95), but higher than years like 2018 and 2022, which rank as Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Jetta?
- The 2014 Jetta gets an EPA-rated 28.5 mpg combined (24.5 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,775.