44 of the 788 complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Passat are about the steering — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 40,000 miles.
44
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I was driving and the airbag light randomly came on out of the blue. While trying to parallel park I noticed my steering wheel clicking. We ran codes on the car and we are confident that the clock spring failed. My horn and cruise control also no longer work.
NHTSA complaint #11743564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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1) Transmission vehicle is not able to be driven Driving on the highway taking kids to school as my vehicle would not accelerate put me the kids and all that were on the road that morning at risk because all i could do is coast to get off on the side of the highway. I had it towed to independent center No warning signs, lights or messages nor any other symptoms. 2)also faulty steering wheel clock spring all of the controls stopped working airbag light is on and when turning the wheel it clicks and rubs.
NHTSA complaint #11711051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Called the dealership at commonwealth motors and all other dealership to take care of the recall as that is the only reason why I am a unable to pass inspection . Dealer ships all around said the part for the takata airbag recall is not in stock and will not be available till December 2025
NHTSA complaint #11666906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The wheel clock spring in the steering column is making loud noises and the horn has stopped working. The airbag light has come on now and the only solution is replacement of the wheel clock spring to make the vehicle safe for the driver. Should be covered under the recall of 2014 VW Passats
NHTSA complaint #11627850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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 driving as well. Which I then have to pull to the right to ensure my safety and others. This is major safety concern as it accelerates /jolts forward which can cause harm to pedestrians crossing the street, having me enter crossing traffic causing a major accident to myself and others. I have the brakes pressed in having no control of the vehicle. The vehicle turning off as I am driving is a major safety concern as I can cause an issue specially going on higher speed like freeways. The steering wheel comes into a complete freeze once the vehicle turns off as I’m operating the vehicle which then does not allow me to control the movement of the vehicle if I want to pull to the right away from traffic to avoid collisions. Once the car looses electricity and the steering wheel freezes I have to force my car to the right or a safe space. I then have to take my car key off the ignition and then turn it back on in hopes that it does turn on. No warning lamps have turned on. My dashboard is cleared with no lights. The dealer in downtown Los Angeles was informed of this issue, inspected and the report did come back reporting manufacturing issues. My vehicle did have a steering wheel recall before which I assumed was resolved as I did previously visit their center to ensure I was safe driving and leaving the dealer I trusted that the issue was resolved by their expert and experienced personnel. I am not sure or it’s unknown if this might have anything to do with the current issue I have.
NHTSA complaint #11573211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Vehicle originally was taken in for a recall on the clock spring, now having the same issue again start up a couple months ago. The driver side airbag will no longer function under these conditions
NHTSA complaint #11503043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
NHTSA complaint #11487321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Airbag clock spring has broken but part is unavailable and has been on back order for over a year. I now do not have an airbag, horn or any steering wheel buttons. Couldn’t care less on the buttons but my concern is safety with the airbag and horn. Also it will no longer pass my states inspection. Volkswagen needs to fix this and now! Part on back order for over a year and no expected time in near future is unacceptable for those in this position!! :(. They should realize some people will die instead of survive certain crashes without airbags working!!
NHTSA complaint #11467859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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On Saturday October 30, 2021 my car was parked on the driveway. I tried to put the key in the ignition and the key would not go in. There is a white plastic piece in the ignition that will not allow the key to go in. My steering wheel and front tires locked. I called AAA and had a tow truck come so that I could have the car towed to the dealership. The driver was able to wiggle the key and start the car. I dropped off the car at the dealership on Saturday Oct 30th. I was told by the dealership that the key cylinder and steering wheel lock housing plus keys need to be replaced. I contacted VW of America and was told that they will not replace the part because the car is out of warranty. This is obviously a defect as there have been many recalls with this part in different model VW's. The dealership is trying to charge me $934.03 for this repair which I believe is a defect. Service advisor at Volkswagen stated that it is not safe to drive the car as it could leave me stranded. There were no warning lights or other symptoms prior to failure on Saturday October 30, 2021.
NHTSA complaint #11439341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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1. Air bag clock spring (twice) 2. No horn, no airbag driver side safety issues. 3. Yes, twice confirmed by VW Dealer 4. No other inspections, just VW Dealer 5. No warnings of the issue until none of the controls were working - now an air bag light January 29, 2020 - 82227 miles, no air bag, no horn, no steering wheel controls. brought to dealer - says there is a known issue with the clock spring and replaced it no charge. August 11, 2021, 123221 miles, no air bag, no horn, no steering wheel controls. brought to dealer - says not covered. the first clock spring lasted 80,000, the second one even more faulty - lasted barely 40000.
NHTSA complaint #11429475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO CLICK. NEXT TIME DRIVING THE CAR, I HAD A ERROR AIRBAG READING AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND HORN DOESN'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11386153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING CLOCK SPRING WAS REPORTEDLY FIXED AS PART OF THE RECALL BUT HAS FAILED AGAIN. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. HORN DOES NOT WORK. STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS DO NOT WORK. CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. VW WILL NOT REPAIR THE RECALL WORK DONE WITHOUT CHARGE. SEATBELT TENSIONER IS ALSO NOW REPORTEDLY AFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11377711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY AN AIRBAG ERROR ON THE DASH. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND HORN NO LONGER WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11348756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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YESTERDAY, AS I WAS TURNING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL. I DROVE TO WORK (APPROX 2 MILES FROM MY HOME) AND PARKED CAR. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR 8 HOURS LATER, MY DASH SCREEN READ "ERROR AIRBAG" AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. THE CLICKING NOISE IS STILL PRESENT BUT DOESN'T OCCUR EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL... ONLY SOMETIMES. THIS MORNING,(ERROR LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED) AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I NOTICED MY CONTROL FUNCTIONS ON STEERING WHEEL WERE NO LONGER WORKING. I AM TERRIFIED THAT MY AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL BUT THE ISSUES I AM HAVING SEEM VERY SIMILAR.
NHTSA complaint #11245756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN A PARKING LOT, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A WEEK LATER, THE HORN SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF MURRIETA (951-249-7072, LOCATED AT 41300 DATE ST, MURRIETA, CA 92562) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #11189721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY PARKING SPOT WHEN I TRIED TO INSERT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THERE WAS A WHITE PLASTIC PIECE INSIDE THE IGNITION THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW MY KEY IN TO START THE ENGINE. IT CAUSED MY STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK COMPANY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #11185971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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KEY INJECTION CYLINDER NOT ALLOWING ME TO START MY CAR. I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND REMOVED THE KEY. LATER IN THE DAY I WENT TO START MY CAR AND MY KEY WOULD NOT FIT IN THE KEY CYLINDER. I LIKE IOKKED INSIDE THE KEY AREA AND THERE WAS A WHITE PLASTIC PIN BLOCKING THE KEY. MY STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS WERE ALSO LOCKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TWO PARTS TO BE CHANGED AT A COST OF $840. THE CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 60,000 MILES. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS?
NHTSA complaint #11185482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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MY STEERING WHEEL WAS AFFECTED, NO HORN, LOSS OF AIR BAGS, LOCKED TRUNK. WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CLOCK SPRING PROBLEM (PREVIOUSLY REPORTED). THESE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO APPEAR RANDOMLY AND NOT ALL AT ONCE. IS UNDER YOUR FORCED RECALL, BUT WAS ALLOWED TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN VEHICLES??? HAD TO FIX IT FOR AROUND $500. NOT PREVIOUSLY REPORTED--ON THE WAY HOME--I NO LONGER HAD A CRUISE CONTROL. VW CHARGED ME $143.50 JUST TO DIAGNOSE IT AND TELL ME IT WOULD COST $720.97 TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE AIR BAG. ALSO,LAST YEAR MY CAR STARTED SPONTANEOUSLY LOCKING AND RELOCKTING MY CAR WHILE DRIVING.. I TOOK IT TO VW. THEY SAID IT NEEDED REPLACING (WITHOUT DIAGNOSIS). THEY COULDN'T WORK ME IN SO I LEFT. THE PROBLEM JUST DISAPPEARED ???
NHTSA complaint #11151122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE I HAD NO HORN, NO AIR BAGS, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SOUNDED 'FUNNY'. I HAD A LITTLE OVER 39,000 WHEN THIS ALL HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS FOR THE 2014 PASSATS, BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHY. CLEARLY, MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES!! IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #11142093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. CLICKING IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING CAR, AIR BAG ERROR LIGHT CAME ON AND NONE OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11141682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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IN MID-OCTOBER 2018, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING SOME ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY CAR. MY CONTROLS ON MY STEERING WHEEL WERE COMPLETE OFF AND THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING. THEN SUDDENLY, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ICON CAME ON AND NONE OF MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WORKED. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW THE ISSUE. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CONFIRMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS DUE TO THE 'CLOCKSPRING' GIVING OUT AND THE AIRBAG RESISTANCE BEING TOO HIGH. GIVEN THAT THIS COULD NOT BE A PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR A VEHICLE IN MY EYES, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION WITH VW FOR 2010-2014 AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILURES DUE TO DEBRIS GETTING INTO THAT AREA. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THIS INFORMATION AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND TO TAKE IT UP WITH VW CORPORATE. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT WASN'T MY DOING AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THEREFORE, I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT FOR AN INVESTIGATION, RECOUPMENT, AND TIME SPENT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #11141359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND THE CAR'S HORN, AIR BAG, AND BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORK BECAUSE OF THIS. MADE A CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE COMPLETELY BREAKING WHILE TRYING TO REVERSE IN PARKING LOT. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED IT WAS CLOCK SPRING THAT WAS BROKEN AND IT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11138916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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ALL OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND MOVING. VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11133063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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2014 VW PASSAT CLOCKSPRING ISSUE: MY VW WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS WHICH I HAD NOT TAKEN IN TO HAVE REPLACED YET. WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT I HEARD A CLICK OR POP FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AT THAT POINT, I NOTICED MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THAT NONE OF THE CONTROLS ON MY STEERING COLUMN WERE WORKING. UPON SOME SEARCHING I DISCOVERED IT WAS LIKELY THE CLOCKSPRING AND TOOK IT FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD MANY OF THE 2014 PASSATS WERE UNDER RECALL BUT MINE WAS NOT. I ALSO CHECKED NHTSA FOR ISSUES AND NOTICED ABOUT 100 OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM PASSAT OWNERS THAT ALSO HAD TO HAVE CLOCKSPRING REPAIRED ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I BELIEVE ALL THE VW PASSAT CLOCKSPRING ISSUES SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AS IT CLEARLY IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11098308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE HORN, AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE, AND BLUETOOTH. ALL THE COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASHBOARD, AND THE REST STOPPED WORKING AFTER A FEW DAYS OF LIGHT CLICKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. I HAD TO TAKE IT FOR REPAIR 3/13/18.
NHTSA complaint #11079805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TAKATA INFLATOR REPLACED, 2 MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, AND TURNING THE CORNER AT LOW SPEED, ON A CITY STREET, INTO MY SUBDIVISION AT APPROXIMATELY 3-5 MILES PER HOUR, DURING A SNOW STORM. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, HEAR CRUNCHING SOUND COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, I HAVE NO HORN OR STEERING WHEEL CONTROL BUTTONS. I NOW HEAR THE SAME CRUNCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN EVERY TIME I TURN THE WHEEL. CALLED DEALER, ADVISED IT SOUNDS LIKE THE CLOCK SWITCH WHICH COMMONLY FAILS AND WOULD COST AROUND $900 TO REPAIR AND WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, SINCE I HAD 40K AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. I WAS ADVISED THAT MY AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11075358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TURNED CAR ON TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING LOT, HEAR LOUD CRACK, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, NOW STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DON'T WORK, HORN DOESN'T WORK, AND I HEAR SOMETHING RATTLING AROUND IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND IT MAKES NOISE WHEN I TURN
NHTSA complaint #11065909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I WAS TURNING RIGHT AT A SPEED OF 30 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON AND ALL COMPONENTS ON STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK EITHER. I BROUGHT CAR TO VW DEALER THE SAME DAY AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID I NEED A NEW CLOCKSPRING. I HAVE HEARD MANY PASSATS HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT MY CARS VIN WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. NOW I HAVE A CAR WITH A BROKEN CLOCKSPRING. AMONGST MANY OTHER VW OWNERS. PLEASE HELP US
NHTSA complaint #11063501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I HAVE A RECALLED TAKATA AIR BAG IN MY VEHICLKE. I DODGED A DOG IN THE ROAD AND HIT THE GUARD RAIL WHERE IT IS BURIED IN THE GROUND. MY PASSET TRAVELED 15-20 FEET UP THE GAURD RAIL. THE CAR WAS VERY DAMAGED AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE STATE PATROLMAN AND THE TOW TRUCK WERE CONFUSED WHY THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WAS IN MOTION ABOUT 75 FT FROM WHERE I TURNED LEFT ONTO THE JHWY 96. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45MPH. I AS GOING ABOUT 20 MPH. I TURNED FROM A COUNTY STREET ONTO CO 96.
NHTSA complaint #11047492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.