2014 Volkswagen Passat Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 3%of 594 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,150miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the visibility of the 2014 Volkswagen Passat, 3% of the 594 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,150 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Poorly designed heater core clogs prematurely regardless of maintenance resulting in inability to defrost windshield before or while driving, especially in colder climates. This vehicle has had cooling system flushed at 3 years of age, well in advance of recommended interval and, yet as seen in multiple complaints on computer search still has clogged. 54,750 miles on a vehicle less than 5 years old that we cannot feel safe operating during temperatures below freezing due to likelihood of condensation from our breathing freezing on inside of the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11309665, filed 2020-02, 54,720 miles“After owning the vehicle for approximately a week I realized what I thought was a slight inconvenience turns out to be a major visibility issue. I had noticed shortly after purchasing the vehicle that in congested traffic the interior rearview mirror causes blind spots. At first I noticed that this was blocking the upper sections of most sedan type vehicles. However on the date in question I was in major traffic there was a delivery truck with a higher road clearance. This vehicle began moving left into my lane. …”
NHTSA complaint #10650914, filed 2014-10, 400 miles“My car suffered a clogged heater core with 25k miles on the odometer. The result was low cabin heat and an inability to maintain windshield visibility using the defroster setting when outside temperatures dropped during winter. Symptoms occur when stationary or moving.”
NHTSA complaint #10823210, filed 2016-01, 25,000 miles“The sunroof shattered while driving on the freeway. Nothing hit the vehicle yet vw refused to repair the damaged sunroof. Three passengers can attest to the fact nothing hit the vehicle and nothing entered the vehicle through the sunroof. It simply shattered.”
NHTSA complaint #10679489, filed 2015-01, 6,000 miles“Backup camera/navigation/radio system system does not working in a consistent manner (camera works when it wants to-big safety concern, screen goes blank, etc.). Radio/navigation controls are inoperable at random occasions while vehicle is in motion or even at a stop position. Radio screen goes blank even if radio is on and user is unable to control it for up to a few minutes. On 2 occasions, even after turning the entire car on and off multiple times the radio was on but all controls were inoperable and unable to turn off. Eventually the system became operable a few minutes later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10837203, filed 2016-02, 19,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10245617Nov 13, 2023Reporting procedure for A/C compressor replacement regardless of the reason for failure. Update to model year applicability and new warranty GFF labor operation number
- 10226226Nov 10, 2022A/C requirements, update to model year applicability.
- 10212136May 18, 2022Cleaning of Heating and Ventilation system, Updated to include additional model year applicability and cost of cleaning solution in warranty table.
- 10209418Mar 28, 2022Introduce new coolant with part number used during No Heat/Heater Core procedure.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 5% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 7% |
| 2000 | 26 | 5% |
| 1999 | 33 | 5% |
| 1998 | 27 | 8% |
| 1997 | 16 | 43% |
| 1996 | 12 | 30% |
| 1995 | 20 | 22% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 17 | 25% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 6 | 25% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
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 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 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