YearToAvoid

2014 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 73 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, 19% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 66,835 miles. A related recall (14V182000) covers transmission oil cooler O-ring seals on 1.8T torque-converter automatic models.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
73
19% of 386
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
66,835 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the engine stalling unexpectedly at stops or low speed, sometimes with the gear selector stuck in neutral.
  • Several complaints describe clutch failure where the pedal would not return and the vehicle could not be shifted out of neutral.
  • Some owners report the DSG gearbox dropping into a low gear on its own, causing sudden high RPM and unwanted engine braking.
  • Multiple complaints describe hesitation or delayed acceleration from a stop that recurred intermittently.
  • Owners report transmission fluid leaking from the oil cooler area or a bolt connection, in some cases leading to a full transmission replacement.
  • One complaint describes the vehicle shutting off and rolling backward while the brake was applied, resulting in a crash.

When 2014 Volkswagen Jetta transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 13, 2013, latest Jan 1, 2026.

2014 Volkswagen Jetta transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter52013 Q42016 Q32019 Q12020 Q22021 Q42023 Q22024 Q4
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2019 Q4 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta

  1. NHTSA 14V182000Apr 15, 2014Transmission & Powertrain26,452 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines

    Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals between the oil cooler and the transmission may leak fluid.

    Risk: The leaking transmission fluid could contact a hot surface and result in a vehicle fire.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on April 16, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 38B9/9V.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Jetta model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200584 (34%)
  2. 2006245 (42%)
  3. 200733 (16%)
  4. 200853 (28%)
  5. 2009141 (16%)
  6. 2010111 (13%)
  7. 201154 (9%)
  8. 201246 (9%)
  9. 2013140 (27%)
  10. 201473 (19%)
  11. 201523 (12%)
  12. 201622 (14%)
  13. 201715 (9%)
  14. 20185 (16%)
  15. 2019162 (30%)
  16. 20207 (13%)
  17. 20212 (3%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20232 (5%)
  20. 20247 (16%)
  21. 20256 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2014 Jetta have?
NHTSA lists 73 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Jetta, making up 19% of all 386 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2014 Jetta?
Yes, recall 14V182000 covers 2014 Jetta models with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission; dealers replace the O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler free of charge.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 66,835 miles at the time of failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2014 Jetta.
Did the transmission issues cause any crashes?
NHTSA records 2 crashes and 1 injury among the Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Jetta, with no reported fires.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.