Just bought a 2014 Jetta TDI Sportswagon with 23,500 original miles on it… I didn’t do my homework and am finding out about all the problems and

Bill Sheppard

New member
Joined
Jan 12, 2025
Location
Kelso Wa
TDI
2014 Jetta TDI Sportswagon
I’m just finding out about all the problems and the big recall and buy back with the TDI’s… I was looking for a good mileage vehicle and bought this from a Honda dealership with 23,500 original miles… the first thing was with in the 1st week, the glove box and passenger side floor was full of water after a heavy rain…Honda had put a new gasket in the sunroof but apparently didn’t test the drains ….Honda of Marysville, Wa. … the car is practically new and runs good, great mileage. Found out from VW in Beaverton Oregon about the recall and other things that had been fixed under warranty in that 23,500 mile ….. am I going to be sorry I bought it….????
 

saboteur

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Location
Australia
TDI
2009 Golf 2.0 TDI
Do you do long trips or short trips mostly? I think if you only do short trips you might have a bad experience but otherwise keep up the maintenance and you should be good. Be aware of the time-based schedule of service items as you may have a few of those due.
 

C00lit

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Location
Montreal
TDI
2006 TDI BRM
I just bought one with 311 000km so it's safe to say that the engine will last a very long time. However, like any VW, there will be more little things to fix from time to time, some a bit more expensive... At least compared to a Honda or Toyota.

However the drive feel is far more solid and the car is generally more comfortable. At least to me.
I went from an MK4 Jetta to MK5 Jetta. I got myself a 2016 Honda Civic 2.0 for the sporty Honda feel and most importantly the durability and almost lack of maintenance on those cars... and I am selling it because my lower back doesn't agree with it. I love it but I can't drive it long trips.

So now I am on the newer Golf Sportwagen (I think USA has Jetta Sportwagen but Canada writes Golf on the back)
(Here is my new baby) https://photos.app.goo.gl/M2TB658MPYe3oQRRA

Things to expect. Timing belt of course needs to be done every 120 000km
Given the low mileage of your car for the year, you may have some things to fix, but once done it should be excellent.
And from what I read or seen from many popular youtube mechanics, the most expensive part of the new 2.0 TDI's is the emissions stuff. When it goes bad it's expensive to fix. Many people delete it and go for a tune. It's not legal but depending on where you live it may not be an issue.

If you live where it snows, (I am from Montreal). Your rocker panels are going to disintegrate. It's better to catch the rocker panel rust early and either fix it yourself to delay the inevitable or get it professionally fixed then to let them go.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L6tv9cmejaz7XvBw8
I eventually did a super mediocre job pasting over an aftermarket rocker panel
This affects all MK5/6 VW living with 5-6 months of snowly and salted roads.

MK4's somehow don't rust as much.

Also, if someone puts gas in it... the entire fuel system goes.
Older 1.9TDI's could survive, newer 1.9TDI's would have injectors fail... the new one gets totally screwed.

But if you take care of it and do lots of driving, the car will take great care of you.
Also take everything I said lightly as I am not a mechanic nor the most knowledgeable guy on here for those cars... Just my experience up to date.
 

ZippyNH

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Location
Southern NH
TDI
2015 JETTA TDI SE
Sounds like you already have buyers remorse...
TDI cars are great highway cruisers...
Terrible short trip cars due to the emissions systems (pre or post fix).
Some people have diesel in their blood, understand the use of additives etc...some could care less.
I will say POST fix the typical car did loose a significant amount of long term reliability, the DPFis getting pushed pretty hard after the "fix" and they fail regularly....
Diesel did things back in the day that gas cars simply did not...700 miles to the tank, lots of tq so little shifting needed (auto or manual), and in exchange people paid a bit of a premium for MX as cost per mile for fuel was pretty much similar since diesel cost more most of the year, but got more MPG'S....
Are you gonna like it hate it?
Well...it sure isn't a Honda...
It's definitely not an appliance you put fuel in and drive...
Have owned Honda's, Toyota's, MAZDA 'S, MINI's GM and VW..
Of them all, the VW (TDI Jetta)and the Mini BOTH required significant knowledge about the car when planning or getting serviced to avoid getting screwed... others you could just show up and the average shop knew what they were dealing with.
 
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turbodieseldyke

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Location
Free Mustache Rides
TDI
Big ol' honkin' tdis
It's hard to imagine someone trading it in with 20k if it didn't have some DPF problem brewing, but maybe you got lucky. Also hard to imagine a dealer would sell it cheap with those low miles.
 

Bill Sheppard

New member
Joined
Jan 12, 2025
Location
Kelso Wa
TDI
2014 Jetta TDI Sportswagon
It wasn’t cheap but after looking for used TDI’s between 2013 to 2015 online by private parties and dealers both, mostly with 85,000 to 150,000 miles. I paid $15,000, with a new gasket in the sunroof, almost new tires and the exterior and interior in really good condition. There was a complete set of manuals which unfortunately got really wet when the passenger side sunroof drain which wasn’t checked when Honda put the new gasket in , flooded the glove box and the floor. The headliner was also wet… the horn doesn’t work and the overhead reading lights aren’t working. Haven’t tried the Bluetooth phone set yet. Found the fuse box under the hood and discovered VW doesn’t provide a diagram of which fuse does what. The interior fuse access panel is apparently behind a miniature glove box to the door side of the steering wheel,instead of just a pop off panel. Thought maybe the horn and headlights had blown fuses as per Utube…sounds like city driving is really bad on the emissions control. Will hitting the freeway for 40 or so miles at 75 mph once a week help keep that healthy?? Somebody on tube mentioned that… thanks for all your comments and info, I really appreciate it. It is running really well and it has a 6 speed manual tranny ,combined mileage is around 35 mpg.
 

McGuirk

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2012
Location
Florida
TDI
Audi A3 TDI, 2011 Golf TDI 2dr(sold), 2012 Golf TDI 4dr(sold), 2011 Jetta Sportswagon TDI(sold)
With that low miles it definitely sat for a while. Expect DPF issues, intercooler icing issues (research this to be prepared), change the fuel filter, do 5k mile oil changes with 507spec oil, and if it isn't already done change the timing belt. The car is 10 years old so it needs to be changed regardless of the miles. Fantastic cars if you can maintain them yourself. Run for the hills if you can't. I've owned 6 common rail TDIs including two wagons and about 400000 miles in them total, so I feel qualified to warn you.

Also might want to checkout that serpentine belt real good and change it along with the the alternator pulley. If it breaks on an unprotected TDI say goodbye to your engine. I have one sitting in my garage that was real cheap with bent valves because the last owner didn't know how to maintain the car and neither do most shop mechanics. Good luck though. I still really enjoy the CR TDIs despite all of their potential issues.
 
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C00lit

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Location
Montreal
TDI
2006 TDI BRM
I will ask the question for the OP, The car is already 10 years old with super low mileage.
Timing belt should be changed at around 60 or 70k miles if I am not mistaken... But given the car is 10 years old, should OP change his belt?
 

mikerob97

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2002
Location
Wake Forest, NC
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagen
To the original poster...
Don't have buyer's remorse, you purchased a real gem! Learn about the vehicle, drive it and enjoy it!
 
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