2014 Volkswagen Golf problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Volkswagen Golf, most often about engine. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
3
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
127,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 2 of 3 complaints (67%).
  • Electrical System (1) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (1) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 127,000 mi.
  • The 2014 Volkswagen Golf has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 14th of 16 Volkswagen Golf model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 70% fewer complaints than the 2013 model year (10).

2014 Volkswagen Golf problems by category

  • Engine
    2 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    1 complaints
  • Electrical System
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine2
Electrical system1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Power train1
Unknown or other1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2014 Volkswagen Golf complaints that list mileage.

2014 Volkswagen Golf recalls (5)

  • Recall 19V862000Dec 4, 2019226 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

  • Recall 18V329000May 16, 2018252 vehicles
    UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

    Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

  • Recall 18V148000Mar 6, 2018363,713 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

  • Recall 16V078000Feb 10, 2016659,493 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

  • Recall 15V483000Aug 4, 2015415,825 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 defect investigations

  • EA18003Opened Apr 18, 2018Open

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

    In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel…

  • RQ17009Opened Nov 13, 2017Closed May 4, 2018

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

    In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel…

  • PE15010Opened Mar 24, 2015Closed Sep 28, 2015led to recall 15V483000

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.Complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.When the SCCM fails electrically, an air bag war…

Recent 2014 Volkswagen Golf complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 30, 2023CAEngine
    My vehicle has (2) serpentine belts, and (2) Belt Tensioners. (1) Tensioner is for the belt that engages the Water Pump, Alternator, Power Steering and then has (3) Idler Pulleys. The other one is the AC Tensioner, that belt routes from the AC Compressor to the Crank and the AC Tensioner. The AC Compressor is a dual belt pulley. So the AC Tensioner is suppling the power for the Accessory Belt to spin, and operate the cooling system, charging system, and power steering.…
    NHTSA complaint #11541789 · source
  2. Filed May 24, 2022CAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    While driving on the freeway the car stopped accelerating and would only rev when gas pedal was pressed. I coasted to the fast lane shoulder and put on hazard lights. CHP had to stop freeway traffic to push me to the side of the freeway. Car eventually restarted and let me put into gear. I drove to Auto repair store and they scanned car. Code U0103 came back: No communication with gear shift module.
    NHTSA complaint #11465862 · source
  3. Filed Sep 3, 2020127,000 miCAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    I'm having issues with a p0106 code. It continuously comes off and on. I have had the manifold absolute pressure sensor replaced, i have had the intake cleaned and relatable parts. The check engine light will come on at random times, and will just go away on it's own. I have read that multiple people have had to update the ecm which has then fixed the issue. I don't believe this should be an expense to the owner of the vehicle for an update that should have been done in the…
    NHTSA complaint #11353090 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology