2014 Volkswagen Passat: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · IL

I am reporting a recurring engine defect in a 2014 Volkswagen Passat that has resulted in repeated engine failure and loss of power while driving. Approximately six months after purchase, the vehicle required a complete engine replacement. One to two years after the replacement, the vehicle began exhibiting the same engine-related failures and has since become inoperable again. Manufacturer-issued Technical Service Bulletins addressing these engine defects were issued prior to the sale of the vehicle, indicating the condition was known. The repeated engine failures create unsafe driving conditions, including the risk of sudden loss of power during vehicle operation.

Filed Dec 17, 2024 · Engine · MS

Unknown. I was driving down the interstate and car just lost power and wouldn’t get no gas. Got it to the side of the road and it wouldn’t crank back up. Took it to shop and the mechanic stated motor need to be replaced.

Filed Aug 12, 2023 · Transmission · MT

I had just had the engine replaced on my 2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI 13 miles previously and on my first drive upon getting my car back I had an error code “transmission overheated” and I lost power while driving and the check engine light also illuminated. The transmission cut out almost immediately when the overheating message illuminated on the dashboard. It then illuminated a wrench where the drive indication is not the dashboard and would not allow selection of any gears. I had the transmission inspected by the dealer and they aren’t sure what happened and that it does indeed need a new transmission. The fact that I lost the ability to drive the car immediately after the light came on while driving seems dangerous to me and a transmission with 63,000 miles and 64 degrees F shouldn’t overheat. It is a DSG transmission and I have read online of several other owners experiencing similar situations of the transmission having faulty parts and overheating. I also reached out to Volkswagen of America and they said there isn’t anything they can do as the car is out of warranty (I believe the warranty for the transmission was 60,000). I had pointed out to Volkswagen that the transmission is cooled by the engine so a brand new engine 13 miles ago and then the consequent overheating and terminal failure seems rather odd to me. Had I been driving on the freeway instead of 40 mph the situation could have ended significantly different then it did.

Filed Nov 22, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 43,000 miles · WA

While driving at highway speed the vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic failure of the high pressure fuel pump. The vehicle has only 43k on it and was just purchased after receiving the tdi update 3k miles ago. The fuel pump failure occurred around 60-70 MPH on the highway and lead to the vehicle losing all power and barely making it to the shoulder of the road. I have now learned that this failure has completely destroyed my fuel system and is not covered by vw even thoughthey are using the same part that they are covering for the 2010-2013 model years they offered an extended warranty on. Not only is this incredibly unsafe, as a consumer this type of unpredictable and common failure is unacceptable.

Filed Sep 7, 2018 · Fuel system · 38,000 miles · OK

Engine quits without warning. Total loss of power. Too many reports of this on internet. Very dangerous! Quit while driving on major road.

Filed Apr 29, 2018 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 91,300 miles · GA

Car keeps randomly shutting off. Loses power while idling and difficult to start. Will lose power and cut off also while driving. Check engine light will not stay on or come on.

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 62,583 miles · NY

2014 vw passat tdi se 2.0l manual my vehicle has 62,583 mi. On it. I was driving on the highway when the diesel "glow plug" light began flashing on the dashboard and I lost all engine power. I was fortunate to be able to reach the roadside safely and I was able to bring the car to a halt on the roadside. Trying to start the vehicle however was not possible, the "glow plug" light continued to flash and the vehicle would not start. Vw roadside assistance was called and the vehicle was towed to the nearest vw dealership where I have was given the error code information below and told my turbo and engine need to be replaced but that they are outside of my 5yr/60,000 mi warranty. P0671-cylinder #1 glow plug circuit active/static p0674- cylinder #4 glow plug circuit active/static p2196- o2 sensor signal stuck rich bank 1 sensor 1 active/static p0299- turbo/super charger under boost active/static p13e0-sensor for internal pressire of cylinder #1 malfunction active/static p13d7-sensor for internal pressure of cylinder #4 electrical error active/static p13e1-sensor for internal pressure of cylinder #2 malfunction active/static p13e2- sensor for internal pressure of cylinder #3 malfunction active/static p1007- torque difference cylinder #4 limit value exceeded active/static

Filed Apr 5, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 75,000 miles · CA

I was driving down the interstate 5 in the la area and without warning, my car started jerking and lost power. I was stuck on the fast lane without being able to restart my car in friday afternoon rush hour traffic. I had my car towed to a vw dealership and the diagnosis came back as metal in the fuel system. I was told this was due to the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) failing. What was most disturbing was when I was informed that to fix this problem, they would have to replace the entire fuel system, costing me $7,500. My car is 3 years old and has 75k miles so I was blown away! I called numerous mechanics and all told me they've seen similar problems on vw and audi vehicles. I went online to do some research and found a number of forums with vw customers with identical problems. All complain about the hpfp failing and then resulting in metal in the fuel system, causing an expensive replacement of the fuel system. I also read that vw has extended the warranty of the hpfp on earlier models due to similar problems. It is clear that vw has still not fixed this problem on its newer models and needs to extend the warranty or issue a recall. They are selling faulty cars that are dangerous to drive and require extremely expensive fixes. Please look into this. Here is the forum with the number of similar issues from other vw customers: https://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/vehiclecomplaint/?_ga=1.28961404.1963426351.1491430895

Filed Mar 19, 2016 · Engine · 62,000 miles · NY

The car lost power while driving on a country road at about 45 miles per hour. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a blown turbocharger. This occurred at 32,000 miles. Now, the car has lost power again while driving at about 30 miles an hour going up a hill. I believe it is a blown turbocharger. This occurred at 64,000 miles. The details below on date and miles are related to the second incident.

Filed May 30, 2015 · Transmission · 22,000 miles · AL

Pulled out of driveway, accelerated uphill. Sudden loud whine and loss of power. Glow plu g light and check engine light came on. Drove back to house in limp mode, called to have it towed to dealer. Dealer found broken turbocharger.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Engine · 42,000 miles · VA

My daughters 2014 vw passat tdi failed on friday, 2/27/2015. Her car lost power and was making whirling and clanking noises. She of course pulled over and turned the vehicle off right away. There was no warning light of any kind, even when I turned it on briefly to see what was happening. After a very brief start, I could see what she was talking about along with a very strong oil burning smell. There was no oil leaking from the car anywhere, but I did notice when I pulled the oil dip stick that there was no oil. It apparently had burned it up. We had the car towed directly to don beyer vw and went the next day (she broke down late evening). We asked the service center if this was a common issue and they said no. However, when we explained what happened, they immediately said it sounded like the turbo failed. Interesting that I am finding on the internet many other individuals with the same issue so I don't quite trust that was the case. We were also informed by them that they are upgrading the turbo in these vehicles as well as extending the warranty to 120,000 miles??? If this is not a common issue, why would vw do this...

Filed Jan 23, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 9,700 miles · OH

When driving car loss of power had towed to vw dealer turbo failure with just 9700 miles.