The 2014 Volkswagen Passat offers a spacious and comfortable ride, making it an excellent highway cruiser with impressive fuel economy for its size. The DSG automatic transmission performs well and pairs effectively with the CR TDI engine, demonstrating notable durability. However, this model year is not without its issues.
Common Issues with the 2014 Volkswagen Passat
The 2014 Passat, specifically the North American version (NMS), often exhibits cost-cutting measures that impact component quality. This can lead to several common problems:
Emissions System
The emissions control system is notoriously complex and prone to issues. The CKRA turbocharger, in particular, has a history of failures, leading to a warranty extension. Even post-fix CKRAs can experience injector balance and SCR problems, further complicating matters. Previous models had issues with DEF tank heaters, also covered by a warranty extension.
Turbocharger Issues
The CKRA turbocharger installed in the 2014 Passat is known for its weakness and susceptibility to failure. Volkswagen issued a warranty extension to address this widespread problem. However, even after the fix, some owners report persistent issues with injector balance and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system.
SCR System Problems
The SCR system, crucial for emissions control, can present recurring problems in the 2014 Passat. Issues include faulty DEF tank heaters and various other malfunctions within the system. These problems can lead to reduced performance, warning lights, and potentially costly repairs.
Heater Core Clogs
Heater core clogging was a pre-existing issue in earlier models, but the problem appears to be magnified in the 2014 Passat. While replacing the heater core is possible without removing the dashboard, the increased frequency of this issue is concerning.
Suspension Components
Compliance bushings in the control arms are another common point of failure in the 2014 Passat. These bushings wear out prematurely, often requiring replacement before the vehicle reaches 80,000 miles.
Other Minor Issues
Other common problems include:
- HVAC Door Motors: Chinese-made HVAC door motors are prone to failure, affecting climate control functionality.
- Subframe and Trunk Components: The use of cheap stamped steel for the subframe and cost-cutting measures in the trunk hinges and springs contribute to a perception of lower quality compared to previous Volkswagen models.
Overall Reliability
While the 2014 Volkswagen Passat offers desirable features like comfort and fuel efficiency, it falls short in terms of long-term reliability. Compared to older Volkswagen models like the ALH, which could easily surpass 300,000 miles with minimal issues, the 2014 Passat tends to experience more significant and costly problems before even reaching 100,000 miles. While not necessarily a “bad” car, potential buyers should be aware of these potential problems and factor in the associated maintenance costs.
