Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were false DTC codes displayed while performing the diagnostic test. The vehicle was then taken the dealer and the contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
The contact owns 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that puddles of oil could be found on the ground after parking the vehicle. The contact also stated that while making a turn in either direction the vehicle would wobble causing him to lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the tread in the driver's and passenger's side front tires were wearing excessively. The contact stated that the front tires had been replaced multiple times; however, the failure persisted. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,103.
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he was unable to immediately restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after an hour the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become recurring. The vehicle was towed back to the residence after one failure. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the Check Engine warning light illuminated, and there was no heat coming from the front passenger's or driver's side air vents. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine heater core had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on three different occasions. The engine heater core was replaced four times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance was available due to the mileage on the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, she noticed an excessive amount of fluid underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who performed an unknown repair; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic, who performed an oil change and added antifreeze. The next morning, the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the oil and antifreeze were empty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Bought my car in November 2019 from an individual after bout 6 months i noticed that my car would slighty cut out when slowing down or cominv to a stop but it wasnt often til bout another 6 months that it began to cut out when slowing down and stopping more and aggressively and it would die then it does it just idling and even when im driving at a low speed as long as i stay at a higher speed ot isnt as bad theres no warning or check engine lights that come on at all when it dies sometime i dont even know it did until i see thr red battery light illuminated car will start back up but if i dont give it high speed it again will cut out aggressively and die if im going 40mph in mid drive it does it. …
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. …
After having parked the car long enough to eat dinner out, I pulled out onto the main street and the car engine showed clear signs of distress, sputtering, missing and ultimately going into what seemed to be limp mode. I was able to pull off the main lanes before the car died and would not re-engage after three attempts to restart. On the third attempt, the car stopped attempting to crank and the dash lights all began to blink until the only extra light that was left was the coil (glow plug indicator). We were left stranded in the street for a while until we could safely exit to push it out of the road and to a safe place. I later had the car towed to my mechanic where the issues were accessed and diagnosed. The causation of the failure is a combination of the first fuel pump failing and disintegrating then dispersing medal shards throughout the fuel system and ruining it entirety. …
While driving on a highway, I heard a mild noise under the hood and things went chaotic, the coolant temperature went high above nominal, the speedometer went crazy, the brakes weren't working, the steering got locked (Not able to move freely) and I literally felt dreadful, I was lucky enough that there were no vehicles front or back of me, otherwise it would have been a fatal incident. I managed to use my hand brakes to slow down and slightly move the vehicle to the shoulder. Oil was leaking underneath the engine at its first look. The vehicle then had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership inspected and confirmed that they found a hole in the engine block and they came back to me and mentioned the whole engine block and also the turbo has to be replaced. The vehicle was right after a fully recommended service from the dealership. no warning or other symptoms appearing.
Engine complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, 13% of the model year's 594 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Volkswagen Passat engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 10 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 Passat engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.