FaultScore

2014 Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems

37 of the 552 complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta are about the airbag system — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 55,267 miles.

F

37

Complaints

12

Crashes

0

Fires

9

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 36 97.3%
Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette 1 2.7%

Airbags across every Volkswagen Jetta year

1995 23 2.8%
1999 31 3.8%
2000 46 5.6%
2001 103 12.5%
2002 110 13.3%
2003 81 9.8%
2004 23 2.8%
2005 30 3.6%
2006 65 7.9%
2007 36 4.4%
2008 20 2.4%
2009 35 4.2%
2010 31 3.8%
2011 36 4.4%
2012 34 4.1%
2013 31 3.8%
2014 37 4.5%
2015 17 2.1%
2017 21 2.5%
2019 16 1.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Muscatine, IA Crash

AIR BAGS

On October 17, 2025, I was driving my 2014 Volkswagen Jetta at approximately 25–30 mph on the bypass in Muscatine, Iowa. Another vehicle cut into my lane and struck the front driver-side of my car. My vehicle suffered significant front-end impact, including wheel/tire damage, bumper and fender damage, and visible suspension impact. During the crash, the driver-side airbag did NOT deploy, even though the impact was directly to the front driver-side area where the crash sensors are located. The airbag warning light did not come on before or after the crash. Because the force of the impact was strong enough to damage the front wheel, suspension components, and bumper structure, I believe the airbag system (airbag module, front crash sensor, or related wiring) failed to detect the crash properly. A collision at this speed and angle should have triggered airbag deployment. This failure put me at risk of serious injury. I am reporting this because the airbag system did not function as intended in a front-end collision, and I am concerned there is a defect affecting the airbag deployment sensors or modules in this model.

NHTSA complaint #11702637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mobile, AL

AIR BAGS

During this summer (2024), I got a warning with three beeps then warning lights came on, went off for a several months, and now have come on and stayed on (ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AIRBAG, Tire Pressure). This has to be an issue with VW. There was close to 63,000 miles on the car at the time. Now there's only 64,000 miles on the car. The dealer service center couldn't really determine the cause but still quoted a repair of nearly $4,000.

NHTSA complaint #11629877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Killeen, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the son was driving at 46-47 MPH and turning left when another vehicle driving at 65-70 MPH crashed into the entire driver's side of the vehicle causing the vehicle to spin approximately 3 - 4 times before coming to a stop in the middle of the road. No air bags had deployed. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled by the insurance company. A police report was filed. The driver had received injuries to their right leg, however, no medical attention was sought. The dealer had not been contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11579350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,640 miles Lincoln, RI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she was involved in a multi-vehicle accident pileup after a utility truck that was two vehicles ahead of her suddenly braked. The air bags had failed to deploy. The contact's daughter did not require medical attention but had sustained a headache from the impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,640.

NHTSA complaint #11514254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Terry, MS

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and depressing on the horn, the horn failed to make a sound. The contact stated that the air bag, ABS, and Electronic Steering Control (ESC) warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the horn to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11493034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodbridge, VA

AIR BAGS

2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Part number 5K0953569AL air bag clock spring failed leaving air bag and horn unusable. Dealerships say this is the most back ordered Volkswagen part. Many wait lists have several thousand people waiting with no end in sight. No one can provide a ship date. These cars cannot legally be on the road and cannot be sold back to a dealership because they won’t pass inspection. This part has been involved in a recall previously with the same issues, but not all affected cars are covered under the recall. I am personally unable to find a solution and my car has been unusable and unsafe. When I realized how normal and not unique my exact situation was, I felt the need to report this problem on behalf of the tens of thousands of people who are without safe vehicles, including myself. I am hoping that the recall can be extended to these other cars desk with the exact same clock spring issues so that we can be provided with solutions that can get our cars back on the road safely. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA complaint #11485524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ironwood, MI Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

Air bags failed to deploy on my 2014 volkswagen jetta. I hit a Guardrail head on at 50-60 mph pushing it 8 feet back. I sustained a large laceration on my forehead eventually needing 6 staples and 6 stitches to close it up. My passenger got abbrastions to her head from hitting the window. Which is now cracked and broken throughout. The air bag light came on my dashboard but no air bags were ever deployed. Having just bought this vehicle 6 months ago from a dealership and them verifying that everything was in working order has me wondering what to do about this? $18,000 for a trip to the E.R that night. Needless to say I'm pretty disappointed and know that if the airbags would have properly went off it would have made things Alot easier!!

NHTSA complaint #11430240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 49,400 miles Miami, FL

AIR BAGS

EVERY SINGLE LIGHT ON THE DASH IS TURNED ON EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO PROBLEM, AND THE SPEEDOMETER METER DOESN'T MOVE. I GOT THE ISSUE FIXED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THE COMPUTER ONLY NEEDED TO BE RESET, BUT THE VW DEALERSHIP INSISTS THAT I STILL HAVE A BIG ISSUE THAT CAN EFFECT THE USAGE OF MY BRAKES, AIRBAGS, EVERYTHING, AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $3500 FOR A NON-PROBLEM. SINCE THE SENSORS ARE ALL ON, I DON'T KNOW WHEN TO FILL UP OIL OR GAS, AND I WON'T BE ALERTED IF I HAVE A FLAT TIRE OR THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT SINCE THE SENSORS ARE DEAD IT MAY NOT DEPLOY MY AIRBAG SYSTEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S NOT WORTH FIXING, MY CAR ONLY HAS 49,537 MILES AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION; THIS IS ABSURD.

NHTSA complaint #11408036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,500 miles Sunnyvale, CA

AIR BAGS

IF I DRIVE WITH THE CAR THE BRAKE-WARNING LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON. IT ALARMS. I BROUGHT IT TO DEALER AND THEY ASKED GERMANY BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WRONG IS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH THESE LIGHTS. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER BUT IT HAPPENS AFTER 20 MILES AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11354828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Canyon Country, CA

AIR BAGS

PROBLEM WITH AIR BAGS. CODE 9437201 WILL RESET BUT COMES BACK.

NHTSA complaint #11353793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Each, CA

AIR BAGS

I BEEN TRYING TO GET MY STICKER SINCE LAST YEAR ....I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO CAUSE OF THE RE CALL. I BEEN DRIVING EXPIRES TAGS....AM ANNOY ALREADY WITH THIS RECALL T THE DEALER SHOULD HAD TOLD ME SINCE THA BEGGING...MY CAR KEEPING LOSING OIL AND AND. CAN I JUST GET A REFUND

NHTSA complaint #11322909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Bradenton, FL Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY ESTIMATION IS THE DRIVER WHO HIT ME WAS GOING 40-45 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #11318221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 719,974 miles LA Marque, TX

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING ON THE OVERPASS THE CAR CUTOFF ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DUMP TRUCK WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP FOR 7 MINUTES. AIRBAG LIGHT ON SHOW MALFUNCTION OF AIRBAG

NHTSA complaint #11292087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Tarpon Springs, FL

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOT WORKING/OFF NOTICE ALONG WITH ABS OFF NOTICE AND UNDERINFLATION NOTICE ALL HAPPENED SIMULTANEOUSLY UPON STARTING CAR AND REMAINS ON. CAR ONLY HAS BEEN DRIVEN 18000 MILES SINCE NEW

NHTSA complaint #11282851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Walton Beach, FL

AIR BAGS

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN HIT OR IN ANY ACCIDENT. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS NO LONGER WORK.

NHTSA complaint #11254242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles NEW Orleans, LA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT COMPONENT OF THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA complaint #11241816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Herriman, UT

AIR BAGS

CLOCKSPRING WENT BAD ON A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, HORN AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS DONT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #11218454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Louisville, KY

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL, AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT GO AWAY

NHTSA complaint #11217687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apopka, FL

AIR BAGS

DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. POWER IS CUT TO THE CONTROL MODULE AND AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA complaint #11175709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Elsinore, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A BODY SHOP. VOLKSWAGEN OF MURRIETTA (LOCATED AT 41300 DATE ST, MURRIETA, CA 92562, (951) 249-7072) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11171904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Walton Beach, FL

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER SIGNAL PRESENTED.

NHTSA complaint #11156419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles North Hollywood, CA

AIR BAGS

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I REVERSED (AT AN ANGLE) INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. THE SOUND ENSUED WHEN MAKING ANY TURNS WITH THE VEHICLE. ONE DAY, WHILE PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKED AND THERE WAS A SNAP SOUND. UPON RE-ENTERING MY VEHICLE, THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL STEERING-MOUNTED CONTROLS WERE DISABLED. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS ISSUE IS RELATED THE TO THE CLOCK SPRING ISSUE (RECALL) FOR VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THE MODEL AND YEAR (JETTA HYBRID, 2014) OF MY CAR IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MY LOCAL VW DEALER, AND THEY HAVE BASICALLY TOLD ME THE ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CLOCK SPRING EXTENDED WARRANTED VW ISSUED.

NHTSA complaint #11155691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Covington, GA

AIR BAGS

DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY IN POURING RAIN WEATHER. CAR HORN IS ALSO CURRENTLY NOT WORKING/ABLE TO BE USED IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY OR WARNING. AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR ABOUT 6 SECONDS AND THEN GO OFF REPEATEDLY THEN FINALLY STAYED ON FOR GOOD. APPEARS TO BE A CLOCK SPRING ISSUE FROM RESEARCH THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INITIALLY COVERED AND COMPLETED IN 2015 MANUFACTURER RECALL. VIN IS ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN CURRENT TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL EITHER.... NO PREVIOUS ISSUES TO NOTE PRIOR TO SYMPTOMS BEGINNING...

NHTSA complaint #11150951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, DE

AIR BAGS

STATIONARY, IN MOTION, AND WHEN TURNING--AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DOESN'T WORK AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DO NOT WORK. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TWO MONTHS AGO--WITH ONLY 30K MILES. AT 34K MILES WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #11120062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Bellingham, WA

AIR BAGS

DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. BROKE UNDER NORMAL STEERING WHEEL OPERATION WHILE PARKING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED, THIS IN TURN CAUSED STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS TO BECOME INOPERABLE AND ACTIVATED AIR-BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11103858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,450 miles Houston, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI EDITION 30 W/NAVIGATION. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING THAT'S RIGHT IN MOTION. THE SAME DAY MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED CLICKING WHEN I TURNED IT TO THE LEFT ONE DAY. I WENT TO USE MY HORN AND IT WOULDN'T WORK. THEN NOTICED ALL OF MY ALL THE BUTTONS ON MY STEERING WHEEL WERE NOT WORKING EITHER. THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS ARE THE CONTROLS FOR THE NAVIGATION SETTINGS, TIME, PHONE. THERE ISN'T A WAY TO CHANGE SETTING USING THE CONSOLE BUTTONS. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ARE THE HUB OF SETTING CONTROLS. I CAN NOT USE MY HORN FOR ANYTHING. 18 WHEELERS SWAYING, SOMEONE NOT PAYING ATTENTION I CAN NOT USE MY HORN FOR ANY OF THESE REASONS. EVERY TIME I GET IN MY CAR I AM WITHOUT AN AIRBAG. I WENT ONLINE TO DO SOME RESEARCH. I FOUND A RECALL FOR THE 2014 JETTA I PRINTED OUT THE RECALL # AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SAID THIS RECALL AND THE CLICKING ON MY STEERING WHEEL MATCH. CAN YOU FIX THIS HERE? THE REPRESENTATIVE THEN TOLD ME THAT HE WAS SORRY THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE GLI 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION JETTA. THE SHOP WOULD NOT ORDER THE PART WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH COST ME $120.88. ONCE THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS COMPLETE I RECEIVED A CALL "MA'AM YOU ARE CORRECT THE CLOCK SPRING IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART IS $290.07 AND LABOR $316.88 WITH TAX A TOTAL OF $682.33 EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING MATCHED THE RECALL. BECAUSE THIS RECALL ISN'T EXPANDED AND DOESN'T INCLUDE THE CORRECT CARS. I HAVE HAD TO PAY $803.21. I AM OUT SAFELY DRIVING WITH A AIRBAG OR THE SAFETY OF A HORN. THIS RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL CARS AFFECTED.

NHTSA complaint #11090403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Avon Lake, OH

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11042080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,000 miles FOX, OK Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

WHEN MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED, THE VW EMBLEM ON THE STEERING WHEEL POPPED OPEN TO THE LEFT AND THE AIRBAG PUSHED IT INTO MY LEFT ARM WHICH CAUSED A BURN AND MY ARM TO BLEED. I KNOW HAVE A GOOD SCAR ON MY LEFT ARM. IF THAT EMBLEM WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN THERE OR WOULD HAVE MAYBE OPENED DOWNWARDS I WOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY WITH A SMALL AIRBAG BURN TO THE RIGHT HAND ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #11013432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,043 miles Downingtown, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT-END COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL WAS NOT RECALLED AND MAYBE SHOULD BE??? VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS SMASHED IN. NO AIRBAGS ACTIVATED - NEITHER DRIVER NOR PASSENGERS SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10994266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,988 miles Albany, NY Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MY CAR WAS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT MY VEHICLE AT A FAST SPEED

NHTSA complaint #10994074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2014 Volkswagen Jetta problems

← Full 2014 Volkswagen Jetta report