Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After replacing three right side headlight bulbs in my 20K miles of ownership, last week both headlights went out at the same time while driving down the highway. I heard a strange noise as if a relay was continuously being triggered. I have heard lots of strange relay sounds(chatter) from beneath the dash of this vehicle. I checked fuses; though Volkswagen does not provide or publicly publish fuse box diagrams, I was able to confirm continuity on each fuse. My next step was to change the headlight bulbs so as usual I bout the top of the line bulb for the car, this didn't change a thing. I brought the car into a Volkswagen dealer who claims the bulbs just burnt out at the same time because I was using "aftermarket bulbs". In other words, I would have to bring my car into the dealer to replace simple electrical components such as bulbs and fuses. …
In the following, lb/hb is low beam, high beam: ' the dashboard indicator for hb is always on, even when the steering column lever is on lb and lights are really lb. ' the turn signal dashboard light blinks fast -- like there is a burnt-out bulb -- but they actually flash fine. ' when the steering column lever is set to hb, all lights on the driver side are dead; or, the hb bulb doesn't light at all and the lb bulb goes faint. ' when I turn the lights off when the engine is running, they stay on ' say I'm driving at night all everything is fine. I turn the car off; when I start it up again seconds later, the lights are messed up finally, the lights usually stay either working or are messed up while driving, but once in a while, they will go from working to messed up or vice versa while driving. …
January, the driver side head light stopped working while driving at night on the city street (replaced light). March, the passenger side head light stopped working while driving at night on city street (replaced light). June, both head lights stopped working within a month of each other, both while driving at night on residential roads (again, replaced lights). November, both lights stopped working shortly after I left work and was less than a block away, at night. After taking the vehicle in to the dealership, dealership reports no issues, but does acknowledge ongoing problem for other owners of the same vehicle type. I do not believe this to be a light bulb issue (as implied by the dealership's service department) and I am concerned for the safety of anyone who May also encounter this problem.
When driving one evening, I noticed both low beams not providing light. My high beams work so I drove with them as to not drive in the dark. I was unable to see traveling on a highway at 65 MPH. I had to use my high beams even with on coming traffic causing a safety issue for them also. When low beams are turned on, only a small light that does not prove any llight to see is on. I noticed this while driving. I have attached pictures of the all three light positions; day, low, and high.
Headlights stopped working on dim. Then tailights went out. We've had the car 2 1/2 years and this is second time the headlights have went out like this. When the headlights went out, the Bluetooth also wasn't working the way it had previously. Also, the windows will sometimes not respond properly. They will go the opposite way that I am directing it to do. (push for up and it goes down, for example). These incidences happen both when vehicle is moving and stationary.
The passenger side low beam went out. I replaced the bulb and it still didn't work. Then the driver's side low beam went out too. I tried replacing both bulbs at once, it didn't work. Then I checked the fuses, both under the hood and under the dash. The fuses are good. The high beams are good, the running lights, break lights and turn single lights are good. Just the low beams.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the headlights failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights and module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 35,999.
My headlights going of yesterday when I turn on I have to drive back home on dark road! This was very dissapointed situation since the dealer sell this car to me as a certified vehicle, also my car vibrates everytime that I breaking on the road that star happening right after I take the car oout of the dealer!
The low beams keep burning out. I replaced them and they worked fine. Last time I went to replace the passenger side low beam the bulb wasn't burned out. Changed it out anyway but the passenger side lowbeam still won't come on. I've changed the bulbs 4 times in this car already.
Low beams failed to turn on. Replaced the bulbs not too long ago and the bulbs are not burned out. All fuses are good. High beams work, daytime running lights work. Low beams are not functioning properly.
Headlight complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the lights of the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, 6% of the model year's 387 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.