2014 Volkswagen Passat electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V171000Mar 24, 201691,442 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical connectors of the sensor, causing an electrical short.

  Risk: An electrical short can cause the electrical connectors of the sensor to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 23T3.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 28, 2026INCrash1 injuredAirbagsElectrical SystemLighting

   A prior recall that was supposedly fixed, broke again. Submitted several complaints with Nhtsa and Volkswagen. Volkswagen said i had to pay a fee to verify what was wrong with my vehicle because the recall had already been fixed before. Months of waiting and waiting for an appointment and then vw would still not refix the recall. So years and years went by before the recall was recalled and vw sent out notice. Only to schedule you vehicle for service months out and then call…

   NHTSA complaint #11760194 · source
2. Filed Jul 27, 2026NVAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   Clockspring Recall. Horn not working, buttons on steering column not working, when turning steering wheel it makes a clicking noise, sounds like spring being pulled, driver side air bag light is illuminated on dash.

   NHTSA complaint #11753037 · source
3. Filed Dec 6, 202492,000 miMDElectrical SystemEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11629250 · source
4. Filed Feb 21, 2024CAElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   The component that failed is in the official dealer report. I am not an expert however definitely an issue with electrical, engine, steering and acceleration meter. The car shakes/jolts aggressively. Once the shaking of the vehicle begins it accelerates with the breaks being pressed in under a red light and also under parked mode. In the red light case the vehicle then turns off the steering wheel freezes and all power comes off. The shaking/jolting takes place as I am…

   NHTSA complaint #11573211 · source
5. Filed Oct 17, 2023CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   To Whom It May Concern. Good afternoon. I really need your help on this. This particular vehicle has a defective DEF emission system that renders the car inoperable when the DEF sensors start acting up. Between 2022-2023, I took this vehicle to the Volkswagen dealership on numerous times, over ten different times. This vehicle was still protected under a factory emissions DEF extended warranty. The engine mounted diesel injection pump was changed by me when the Volkswagen…

   NHTSA complaint #11550534 · source
6. Filed Jan 19, 2023OHCrashFireTowedElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   Hi , My 2014 Passat driven by a family member struck a parked truck. Luckily, nobody was hurt! The parked car was not occupied and the driver of the Passat was able to exit the vehicle unharmed. The speed was about 35 mph and the air bags deployed. This front collision resulted in a major fire that totally destroyed the car. The insurance company (Progressive) is currently in the possession of the car. And one other important thing to note is that, about 2 years ago, this…

   NHTSA complaint #11502721 · source
7. Filed Sep 23, 2022MIElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   Check engine comes on 2014 VW Passat TDI 68,000 miles. Dealer code shows NOx sensor is bad. This car is covered through 2024 and 120000 miles by VW extended emissions warranty due to Diesel emissions fraud settlement with US Government. VW refusing to honor warranty and make repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11486034 · source
8. Filed Jul 27, 2022NYAirbagsElectrical System

   A faulty clockspring in the steering wheel failed so the driver air bag and the horn do not work. The car can’t pass a safety inspection. This is a faulty part that the NHTSA issued a recall for some years back (I believe in 2015). The replacement part has been back order for upwards of 9 months for 1000s of VWs in the US. If the cars cannot pass a state safety inspection there should be a safety recall issued immediately.

   NHTSA complaint #11476170 · source
9. Filed Jul 5, 2022WAAirbagsElectrical System

   The clocksping in the steering wheel is broken, but the part has been backordered for over a year. The broken clockspring makes the horn and buttons on the steering wheel unusable and the airbag will not deploy.

   NHTSA complaint #11472439 · source
10. Filed May 27, 2022LAAirbagsElectrical System

    I belive the clock spring has malfunctioned on my car, the air bag light won't go off and the horn does not work. This has put my safety at risk because twice last week a car almost side swiped me and I have no horn. I called the dealer and they said my particular model isn't covered under the recall but It says volkswagen passat models 2010-2014. I have not taken my car to the dealership yet. The airbag light and horn stopped working at the same time about a month ago and I…

    NHTSA complaint #11466415 · source
11. Filed Apr 20, 2022NYAirbagsElectrical System

    Clock spring is broken, and no one has replacement parts. They have been backordered with Volkswagen for MONTHS. Air bag, horn, and steering wheel radio control do not work. Won't pass safety inspection.

    NHTSA complaint #11461554 · source
12. Filed Apr 12, 2022CTAirbagsElectrical System

    The clock spring within the steering wheel has failed and is no longer functional. The airbag sensor warning light has come on. The horn no longer works, and I cannot warn drivers crossing over into my lane who may not see me in their blind spot. And as far as I understand, the main steering wheel airbag no longer works either. The idea that my main airbag system will not deploy in an event of accident is worrisome. I went to a dealership and informed them that its most…

    NHTSA complaint #11460573 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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