2014 Nissan Altima vs 2014 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2014 Nissan Altima | 2014 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,111 | 593 |
| Recall campaigns | 8 | 10 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 317 | 1,562 |
| Investigations | 5 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 52 | 18 |
| Fire reports | 8 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–31 | 23–34 |
| Median reported mileage | 67,500 mi | 50,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Nissan Altima | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 208 | 353 |
| Exterior Lighting | 298 | 9 |
| Power Train | 209 | 37 |
| Engine | 77 | 77 |
| Electrical System | 71 | 73 |
| Suspension | 130 | 6 |
| Steering | 58 | 44 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 22 | 47 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 91 | 56 |
| Stalling | 70 | 24 |
| Vibration / shaking | 59 | 7 |
| Rust / corrosion | 56 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 33 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 27 | 17 |
| Clunking / rattling | 14 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 11 | 12 |
2014 Nissan Altima
2014 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Nissan Altima vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.