There are 50 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2014 Volkswagen Jettain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I am experiencing multiple safety-related issues with the driver's side door latch/lock assembly on my Volkswagen vehicle. These problems are isolated to the driver's door and appear linked to a known defect involving water intrusion and freezing. Symptoms include: In cold mornings (around 7:30 AM), the driver's door latch frequently freezes shut, likely due to moisture ingress that freezes in sub-freezing conditions—preventing opening from the exterior and sometimes the interior handle. This aligns with Volkswagen TSB 57-18-01, which addresses moisture-related freezing of front door latches. I must enter through the passenger door. While driving, the vehicle triggers "door open" chimes and warnings. The door is latched, but the door is not locked while driving. Which causes wind to catch on the door. If I am able to get the door open from the interior handle, the door will not latch closed. The driver's door fails to lock securely while using the hand exterior sensor or the lock button on the car keys. The other doors lock, but leaves the driver's door unlocked, with no audible unlock confirmation. The selective unlock feature is also inoperative, as the interior unlock button on the driver's panel does not function. After shifting into Drive or Reverse, the door fails to relatch properly if opened and closed. These issues create serious safety risks: Potential for the door to open unexpectedly while driving, risking loss of vehicle control or occupant ejection. Delayed emergency egress in accidents or fires if the latch remains stuck. Driver distraction from persistent false door-ajar alerts, which could mask critical warnings. Compromised vehicle security due to unreliable locking. Given the documented nature of this problem in TSB 57-18-01, this should be a recalled issue as it's a direct impact on door security and vehicle safety.
Auxiliary Heater, Part# 1KO 963 235 H, Melted at the grounding post, potentially damaging wiring harness. Fire started in driver side footwell on 11/5/2025. Included is a photo of where the fire originated from. Medium burning to hands, and smoke inhalation from my passenger.
the auxiliary heater had burned through the heat shield and melted into the cabin causing a small fire and now some smoke to enter the cabin
PTC Heater - Driver side footwell short / overheating Burning smell Climatronic temp set to warm Fan speed on or off Outside air temperature below 35deg fahrenheit Burning plastic and vapor starts filling the cabin within 10 seconds Fear of vehicular fire or related health effects from exposure. No warning codes or lights to indicate an issue.
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.
First owner, brought brand new, serviced the car every 5k, current 61000 mileage, no prior repair or accident. Nov 16, 2022 Jetta’s engine light went on suddenly, next day engine light off, then it went on and off for a couple of days. Drove to the dealership Nov 21, was refused to check as they're too busy; drove to AutoZone Nov 22, did a diagnostic check, trouble code P0131 (power train system) and 02214-002(Anti-lock Brake System), suggested replacement of an Oxygen sensor. Four days later on Nov 26, drove at the parking lot at low speed between 10-15 mph, the car suddenly stalled for the first time. Was able to drive 1.6 miles back home at very low speed. Nov 28, 2022 Dealership was fully booked; was able to drive the car to a close-by shop who said could fix it. The independent shop replaced two oxygen sensors, spark plugs, spark plug wire set, fuel system treatment and coil ignition. Pick car, stall persisted. Drove back, at second attempt, the shop claimed they replaced one faulty oxygen sensor, still was unable to fix the issue and towed the car to the dealership, dealership test drove multiple times and found nothing wrong. Dec 4, picked up the car, stall persisted within an hour. Called the shop, they didn't know what to do and suggested taking the car to the dealership. Dec 5, drove the car with no problem to the dealership. Described the issue, asked for a 60,000 miles maintenance and check crankshaft sensor, both refused by the service consultant. Asked to check all the parts been replaced. Dec 7, dealership called, claimed three mechanics were working on it and could not pinpoint the problem, best guess is ECM but no guarantee. Dec 9, picked up the car, car stalled three times within two minutes leaving the dealership; unable to hit 30 mph on highway, dangerous to drive in daytime traffic; found a parking lot and had the car towed back home. Today Dec 19, car stalls within a minute of starting. Not safe to drive. VW America declined buy back.
Last Thursday, we were driving at night when both low-beam headlight went out at exactly the same time causing us to be driving blindly for a moment. Luckily, the high beams still worked, but this issue seems to be some sort of short, and is dangerous. After looking online, it seems this has happened to lots of people with VW Jettas
key gets stuck in ignition and CANNOT turn car off
The key gets stuck in the ignition and won't turn. This can make it so the car can't be turned off. The key won't turn regardless of how the steering wheel is manipulated to make sure it isn't locking the key in place. No warning signs or messages were associated with the incident.
The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle prior to the vehicle losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain and alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
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.
IN THE FOLLOWING, LB/HB IS LOW BEAM, HIGH BEAM: ' THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR FOR HB IS ALWAYS ON, EVEN WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN LEVER IS ON LB AND LIGHTS ARE REALLY LB. ' THE TURN SIGNAL DASHBOARD LIGHT BLINKS FAST -- LIKE THERE IS A BURNT-OUT BULB -- BUT THEY ACTUALLY FLASH FINE. ' WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN LEVER IS SET TO HB, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE ARE DEAD; OR, THE HB BULB DOESN'T LIGHT AT ALL AND THE LB BULB GOES FAINT. ' WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THEY STAY ON ' SAY I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT ALL EVERYTHING IS FINE. I TURN THE CAR OFF; WHEN I START IT UP AGAIN SECONDS LATER, THE LIGHTS ARE MESSED UP FINALLY, THE LIGHTS USUALLY STAY EITHER WORKING OR ARE MESSED UP WHILE DRIVING, BUT ONCE IN A WHILE, THEY WILL GO FROM WORKING TO MESSED UP OR VICE VERSA WHILE DRIVING. BUT I WORK AT NIGHT AND LIVE ONLY ONE MILE FROM MY JOB, SO I HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT FOR ANY SIGNIFICANT LENGTH OF TIME. THE MOST COMMON SCENARIO IS THAT THE CAR HAS SAT FOR HOURS; I START IT, AND THE LIGHTS ARE EITHER MESSED UP OR WORKING FINE, AND THEY STAY THAT WAY UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND STARTED AGAIN.
EPC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY; VEHICLE THROTTLED DOWN AND CONTINUED TO BUCK AND STALL OUT; LOSS OF POWER AND SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS WHILE IN TRAFFIC. NO SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTIC CODE(S) WERE SAVED OR TRIGGERED. THIS CAUSES COSTLY AND UNNEEDED DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS
WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS TO LOWER GEARS THE ENGINE STUTTERS AND EVENTUALLY STALLS OUT
MY CAR IS NOT REGISTERING A KEY AND VW DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. *TR
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
MY JETTA BEGAN HAVING ISSUES STARTING ONCE DRIVEN. IT PROGRESSED TO STALLING WHILE IDLING AND AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. IT FURTHER PROGRESSED TO STALLING WHILE DRIVING, SLOWING FOR TURNS ECT. THE EMC RELAY WAS REPLACED BY MECHANIC. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY VOLKSWAGEN
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
AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY AND GOT TO THE OVERPASS I HAD TO STOP, AFTER A ACCELERATED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER EXCEPT FOR THE RADIO, FORTUNATELY AFTER THE OVERPASS WAS A DOWNGRADE SO THE CAR WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY ON TO THE SHOULDER. THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE FIRST INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS LOST COMPLETE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN CITY STREETS. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, SHE HAD COMPLAINED TO ME OF THE CAR NOT STARTING AFTER SHE GOTTEN OFF WORK, WE TRIED TO JUMP STARTED IT AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START, SO IT HAD TO WAIT TILL I GOT OFF FROM WORK. SOON AS I GOT TO THE VEHICLE AFTER MY SHIFT, I TRIED TO CRANK START IT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH OUT HESITATION. WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY STREET, AFTER MAKING A STOP THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF, I WAS UNAWARE SINCE THE RADIO WAS STILL PLAYING, SO MY WIFE POINTED OUT THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING TO HER AS WELL, EVEN AFTER WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE MENTIONED THAT THIS COULD BE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM, SO WE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AS WELL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN OR IT JUST WON'T START. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE WIRING TO THE BATTERY AND TO THE DISTRIBUTOR AND AFTER DOING THIS THE VEHICLE WILL START UP AGAIN. LAST EPISODE WAS ON 11/15/2019 AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHEN I GOT HOME I REMEMBERED THAT MY WIFE HAD HANDED ME A COUPLE OF LATTERS FROM THE VW DEALER WITCH WE HAD OMITTED SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN A CAR LOT. THIS IS HOW I FOUND OUT THAT THESE LETTERS WHERE NOTICES OF THE RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I SHARED THIS WITH A FRIEND THAT CLAIMS HE ALSO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A VW VEHICLE HE OWNED, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM IN HIS UNKNOWN VW MODEL, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS AT FAULT. I'M SCHEDULED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL FOR THE KEY COLUMN, WITCH IS NOT ASSOCIATED TO THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO VW REP.
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026