2014 Volkswagen Passat Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 7%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the steering of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, 7% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2019-03, 59,720 miles“I was driving about 40mph when a car tried to merge into my lane. I tried to blow the horn and the horn failed to work. This has happened several times but not at a point where I have been this close to being crashed into. When this happens, the change track and volume buttons do not work, as well as the hands free calling button. It's like the whole steering wheel goes dead.”
NHTSA complaint #10578811, filed 2014-04, 6,565 miles“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, filed 2018-01, 66,000 miles“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“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, filed 2019-03, 59,842 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036880Aug 3, 2026Clean and install an additional plastic "ring" to prevent ingress of dirt,hair. Foreign bodies into the clock spring.
- 10247537Dec 11, 2023Rear of teering wheel trim modification for noise when maneuvering.
- 10235284Apr 27, 2023This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2017 | 16 | 15% |
| 2016 | 19 | 18% |
| 2015 | 26 | 11% |
| 2014 | 44 | 7% |
| 2013 | 51 | 7% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 2 | 13% |
| 2010 | 13 | 8% |
| 2009 | 20 | 14% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 15 | 6% |
| 2006 | 112 | 19% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 76 | 11% |
| 1998 | 52 | 16% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat
354 complaintsEngine
77 complaintsElectrical system
74 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsFuel system
50 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsExterior lighting
10 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 30, 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