2014 Volkswagen Passat Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 37 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, 6% of all complaints for the year, with median failure mileage of 67,000 miles. Two related recalls (17V309000 and 14V182000) address heat shield and transmission oil cooler seal issues.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 37
- 6% of 594
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 67,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- DSG-equipped cars jerk or lurch at low speed and in stop-and-go traffic, sometimes failing to brake smoothly afterward.
- Some owners report the transmission unexpectedly drops into neutral while accelerating on the highway, forcing an abrupt stop.
- Turbocharger failures are reported, including one case of a broken turbocharger with a loud whine and sudden power loss during acceleration.
- Owners describe transmission oil cooler leaks, with fluid pooling on the housing case and seals or wires needing replacement.
- Several complaints mention the vehicle stalling or failing to accelerate above 10 mph without warning, sometimes requiring dealer diagnosis.
When 2014 Volkswagen Passat transmission complaints were filed
First complaint May 1, 2014, latest May 13, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat
- NHTSA 17V309000May 11, 2017Transmission & Powertrain84,262 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.
Risk: If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23W5.
- 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 Passat model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2014 VW Passat have?
- NHTSA lists 37 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Passat, which is 6% of all 594 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2014 VW Passat?
- Yes. Recall 14V182000 covers O-ring seals in the transmission oil cooler on 1.8T automatic models, and recall 17V309000 covers a driveshaft heat shield on diesel DSG models.
- At what mileage do 2014 Passat transmission problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints is 67,000 miles, though some owners reported issues within the first few thousand miles.
- Do the 2014 Passat transmission issues involve crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data for this problem area shows 0 crashes and 0 fires reported among the 37 complaints.