2014 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, 2% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2018-01, 40,000 miles“It was around the end of april this year when I was driving to my work when all of a sudden one of my light bulbs shorted out or burned out while I was driving, I drive in the early hours so it's dark and it caught me off guard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10895555, filed 2016-08, 44,565 miles“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 and cancel because there is a shortage of parts and no known time in getting them. …”
NHTSA complaint #11760194, filed 2026-08“The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 50 MPH, the warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, indicating that the headlamp was out. The contact replaced the headlight and the warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10875689, filed 2016-06, 60,000 miles“The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle at night, the contact became aware that the driver’s side exterior headlamp was not functioning properly, potentially compromising nighttime visibility. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V389000 (Exterior Lighting), but the VIN was not included. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557329, filed 2023-11, 65,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V389000May 22, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2012–2020, Atlas 2018–2019
Related service bulletins
- 10210225Apr 7, 2022Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 60 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 32 | 5% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat
354 complaintsEngine
77 complaintsElectrical system
74 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsFuel system
50 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology