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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 518 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the electrical (29% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is 8th of 27 Jetta model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.

Complaints518
Recalls4
Crashes reported12
Fires reported3
Injuries reported10

Most common 2013 Volkswagen Jetta problems

  1. Electrical

    148 complaints · 29%

    Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, motorcycle starter interlock system- clutch,neutral,sidestand, body control module/bcm.

    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the battery warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 55,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. After inserting the key in the ignition switch, the key was stuck and failed to exit the switch. The vehicle was taken to brandon Volkswagen (9816 e adamo dr, tampa, fl 33619) where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 56,000 miles
  2. Transmission

    141 complaints · 27%

    Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly.

    While driving vehicle with dsg transmission in normal "drive" (d) mode the transmission will shift into what feels like neutral with no warning whatsoever and no clear way of making the car driveable again. Car has to come to a complete stop with no power available for transmission to return to working condition.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 65,000 miles
    Car jolts on freeway. Driver side mirror protector fell off. As a result of trying to grab fallen off piece over extended arm injury. Due to extending arm out window
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 65,000 miles
  3. Engine

    116 complaints · 22%

    Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.

    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the battery warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 55,000 miles
    Car suddenly stops while driving. Steering wheel locks goes into "limp mode". Will start back up fine. This is a know issue with Volkswagen.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 53,000 miles
  4. Other or unspecified

    98 complaints · 19%

    Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles.

    While driving on hwy 94 the epc and the engine malfunction light turned on. At my 55mph, my speed decreased immediately at 20 MPH. My son and I felt unsafe, as there were cars behind me driving at their proper speed limit. It was scary as these cars could of crashed into my vehicle as my gas pedal lost immediate speed.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 70,000 miles
    A few months back an error came up on my dash saying "hybrid workshop." I called the dealership and they said it was regular for my car to say that at about 68k and that I would soon need a hybrid systems check. That light went off the very next day so I didn't stress it. Soon after my car began acting funny when…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 70,600 miles
  5. Fuel system

    43 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel filter.

    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated intermittently when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the diagnostic monitoring machine indicated the high pressure fuel pump was faulty. The vehicle was taken to the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 50,000 miles
    On wednesday september 23rd at or around 3:40 pm, I pulled into an arco fuel station to top off my vehicle. I still had a 1/4 of a tank left but decided to fuel up anyway. The vehicle took approximately 11 US gal of no. 2 diesel fuel. After fueling my vehicle, I drove off the fuel station. Approximately 3/4 of a mile…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 44,800 miles
  6. Steering

    37 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles.

    Steerlock- I drove my car for a few minutes on 6/11/2016 to the store, then returned home. At the store the key had worked fine. When I returned home and put the car in park the key to my car would not turn off. I repeatedly tried to turn the car off, and the key refused to turn off. I called the local volkswagon…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 55,900 miles
    Frequently the steering wheel will not unlock,key will not turn, this is happening almost everyday, drive to work park the car, at end of day the ignition key won't turn. Steering wheel is locked up, have to wrestle with it constantly, if I get out a jar the car backwards or frontwards it may unlock the key and wheel…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 56,000 miles
  7. Air bags

    31 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    Takata recall vw jeta was in an accident due to freezing rain in january 2017 (knoxville, tn). Vw slid into another car causing in excess of $5,000 damage; however, the airbags failed to activate. Complete failure in air conditioning system/compressor electrical system locks/unlocks doors while driving. Electrical…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 45,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 15 MPH, the brakes failed and the contact's vehicle rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was not injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a certified independent mechanic and the body damage was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 43,000 miles
  8. Brakes

    22 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles.

    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 15 MPH, the brakes failed and the contact's vehicle rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was not injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a certified independent mechanic and the body damage was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 43,000 miles
    My car displays no problems on the dash, there are no lights on but when I am driving the car stalls and sometimes just shuts off locking my brakes and steering. Usually happens when the car is going under 20mph. After it shuts of I have to put it in park to restart and it restarts without a problem.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 66,200 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta recalls

  1. Other: unknown or other

    NHTSA 19V679000 · September 25, 2019 · 113 vehicles

    Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began november 6, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01d7. Note: this recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18v-329.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 volkswagen passat, 2018 tiguan lwb, 2007-2009 jetta sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 jetta, 2013 jetta hybrid, 2008-2009 jetta sportwagen, 2015 golf sportwagen, 2013 golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 beetle and beetle convertible, 2008-2010 beetle, and beetle convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

  2. Electrical: control module

    NHTSA 19V615000 · August 22, 2019 · 679,027 vehicles

    Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

    Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began november 19, 2019. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37m2.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 gti, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 golf, 2012-2019 beetle and beetle convertible, 2017-2019 golf sportwagen and 2011-2018 jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "park."

  3. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 15V483000 · August 4, 2015 · 415,825 vehicles

    Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2016. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 volkswagen cc, and passat, 2010-2013 eos, 2011-2014 golf, gti, jetta, and tiguan, and 2012-2014 jetta sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

  4. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 14V656000 · October 20, 2014 · 442,066 vehicles

    Risk: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began april 7, 2015. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Full defect summary

    Volkswagen group of america, inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 jetta vehicles manufactured march 1, 2010, to november 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 beetle vehicles manufactured march 1, 2011, to july 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (148 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); transmission (141 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); engine (116 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta have?
4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2019 (other). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2013 a bad year for the Volkswagen Jetta?
It is 8th of 27 Jetta model years by number of complaints, with 518 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Volkswagen Jetta years

Volkswagen Jetta problems by year