2013 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 516 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 12 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Other or unspecifiedSep 25, 2019
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.
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
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.
Campaign 19V679000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, anti-theft, control moduleAug 22, 2019
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 19V615000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalAug 4, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V483000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearOct 20, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V656000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
148 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2017
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF ENGINE.
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2017
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION! THE KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN ON POSITION IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER COMING TO A STOP. AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WIGGLING, TURNING, PULLING OR JERKING WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES IT TAKE UP TO 20 MINUTES BY A STRONG PERSON TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK. ALTHOUGH THIS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY HOWEVER THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND VW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER VW USA HAS REFUSED TO RECALL NOR PAY TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST WHICH HAS BEEN QUOTED AT $800 BY THE DEALERSHIP.
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2017
WHILE CAR IS IN PARK, KEY WILL GET STUCK IN IGNITION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN CAR OFF. UNABLE TO TURN KEY TO THE OFF POSITION.
Electrical system, Jul 2, 2017
IGNITION SWITCH GETS STUCK BOTH WHEN STARTING AND WHILE STOPPING, HAD TO LET MY CAR RUN FOR HOURS BEFORE I HAD TO WIGGLE OUT THE KEY, DONT THINK THIS WILL WORK FOR LONG.
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2017
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HARD TO CUT THE CAR OFF. BUT I ASSUMED IT WAS THE KEY . THIS WEEKEND AFTER GETTING MY OIL CHANGED WE COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION.THE IGNITIOJ SWITCH WOULDN'T CUT OFF. IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR TO GET THE KEY OUT.THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE KEY HAS EVER GOT STUCK LIKE THAT. AND SINCE THEN IT HAS STALLED 3 MORE TIMES. IT DOES REQUIRE A LOT OF PRESSURE OR SHAKING OF THE KEY IN THE SWITCH FOR THE IGNITION TO FINALLY CUT OFF.
Electrical system, May 21, 2017
MY CAR WAS PARKED AND I COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT LOCKED. I HAD TO WIGGLE THE KEY A BUNCH TO GET IT OUT. ONCE I GOT THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT WAS VERY HOT. THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES IN ONE DAY.
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2017
WHILE PARKED, KEY GETS STUCK ON IGNITION AND WHILE TRYING TO TURN OF THE ENGINE. THERE IS ALSO MAJOR RESISTANCE WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION TO START THE CAR. A FEW TIMES IT TOOK MORE THAN 20 MIN OF TRYING IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVE THE KEY, ALTHOUGH TURNING OFF THE CAR DOES NOT MEAN THE KEY WILL NOT BE STUCK.
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2017
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME THE IGNITION HOUSING HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2017
THE WIPER MOTOR AND THE FLUID WASHER PUMP ARE ILL ENGINEERED AND HAVE A TENDENCY TO BURN OUT VERY QUICKLY. BOTH THE WIPER MOTOR AND FLUID WASHER PUMP ON MY JETTA HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1,000. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD, AND UNDER 58,000 MILES. EITHER THE DESIGN OF THE SYSTEMS IS POOR, OR VW IS USING INFERIOR PARTS THAT QUICKLY ARE OBSOLETE. IT IS NOT SAFE TO HAVE CARS THAT WIPER MOTORS BURN OUT THAT QUICKLY (AND WITHOUT NOTICE) AND IT IS ALSO NOT SAFE TO HAVE FLUID PUMPS THAT WEAR OUT THAT QUICKLY. IT AFFECTS VISIBILITY AND DRIVING SAFETY.
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2017
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN CAR OFF. ONLY WAY TO SHUT IT OFF WITH FORCE APPLIED TO THE KEY...WENT TO DEALER THOUGHT IT WAS THE KEY , BUT OTHER KEY DID SAME THING. IGNITION SWITCH MAY BE FAULTY.
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2017
WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF MY CAR THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS. AS MANY PEOPLE THAT ICE SEEN WITH THIS ISSUE THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OR BUY BAKING THE VEHICLES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 15, 2017
I BOUGHT A NEW 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.5L SE. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A THIRD VEHICLE FOR MY TWO TEENAGE CHILDREN TO USE. MY SON WAS HOME FROM COLLEGE AND USED IT TO COMMUTE TO A DAILY INTERNSHIP DURING THE SUMMER OF 2016 WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ON TWO OCCASIONS IT LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE HE WAS TRAVELING 60 MILES PER HOUR. THAT FALL I TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO DO HER DRIVERS TEST IN THE JETTA. IT LOST POWER TWICE EN-ROUTE TO THE FACILITY AND LOST POWER AN ADDITIONAL THREE TIMES WHILE I DROVE IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER A FEW DAYS LATER AND IT LOST POWER SEVERAL TIMES ON THE WAY. I COMPLAINED TO DICK DEAN (THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM) AND TO VOLKSWAGEN ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS SITUATION THREATENED THE SAFETY OF MY TWO CHILDREN. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO MIMIC THE COMPLAINT. DICK DEAN AND VOLKSWAGEN OFFERED ME A FEW THOUSANDS DOLLARS OFF ON A NEW JETTA. I TOOK THE OFFER BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY FACTOR OF MY CHILDREN. I THINK IT IS THE HEIGHT OF IRRESPONSIBILITY OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT GIVEN THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THIS COMPLAINT. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 3013 JETTA. I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS COMPANY IS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR, FORCING A CUSTOMER TO PAY FOR A NEW CAR WHEN THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED. THIS CAR HAD AROUND 20,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME AND WAS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY!
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2017
HORN WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT IS UNAVAILABLE WHILE DRIVING. HORN WORKS 1 DAY (VIA STEERING WHEEL AND ALARM/LOCK ACTIVATION), BUT DOES NOT THE NEXT DAY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON MY VEHICLE FOR 2-3 MONTHS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 6, 2016
IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF RESULTING IN HAVING TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. FEATURES BUILT IN TO THE CAR DID NOT PERMIT ME TO LOCK THE CAR WHILE THE KEY WAS IN IGNITION. THE CAR HAD TO BE LEFT RUNNING WITH NO WAY TO LOCK THE CAR TO PREVENT THEFT OR CHILDREN FROM ACCESSING THE CAR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2016
CAN NOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Oct 30, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WIND, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PLASTIC PROTECTOR FELL OFF. THE AC UNIT NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT COSTING 1600 AND NOW THE IDEAL WHILE TURNING ON CAR IS VERY HIGH. SOUND ALMOST LIKE IT DID WHEN I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL RECALL IN THE LAST YEARS. DOORS ARE SQUEAK WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. AND WHILE DRIVING A NOISE THAT SOUND LIKE CHAINS RATTLES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WHICH IS A VERY IRRITATING SOUND. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2016
2013 JETTA SE WITH 79K ON IT AND THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION - IT'S AT THE DEALER NOW AND I'M SURE FROM WHAT I'VE READ IT'S GOING TO BE RATHER COSTLY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT VW IS AWARE OF AND NOT WILLING TO RECALL. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANYTHING LIKE THIS - ABSURD.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT CAUSED THE HORN SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2016
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY CAN NOT TURN OFF ENGINE( THREE TIMES THE WEEKEND OF 6 11 2016)
Electrical system, May 16, 2016
KEY GETS STUCK AT TIMES AND CANNOT TURN THE CAR OFF. THE STEERLOCK KEEPS THE KEY FROM OPERATING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THE MOTOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS WAS REPAIRED ON 5/16/2016 WITH PART #5C6-905-841
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2016
TAKATA RECALL" AFTER I GOT MY LAST RECALL FIXED THAT DAY WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR MY LOCKS IN MY CAR STARTED TO LOCK BY THEM SELVES CONTINUOUSLY . WHEN I GOT BACK TO WORK I CALLED THEM AND THEY HAD ME GO BACK TO THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY LOOKED AT IT WASN'T FOR SURE WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AND TELL ME TO BRING IT BACK AT A LATER DATE SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT . IT IT STOP DOING IT AGAIN FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT GOT RAINING AND HUMID . IT SEEMS LIKE IT GETS THIS WAY WHEN IT'S RAINY AND HUMID! THE DOOR LOCKS CONTINUE TO CLICK AS IF I'M PRESSING THEM MYSELF TO UNLOCK/LOCK THE DOORS . I READ ONE OF THE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG ELECTRICAL RECALL AND WAS WONDERING IF WAS TIED INTO THAT?
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PERMANENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE STARTED AND STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE INNER COOLING SYSTEM AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,796.
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2015
MY CAR WAS PARKED. I WAS CHECKING OIL AND FLUIDS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS BATTERY ACID CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS ON THE BATTERY BOX, RADIATOR HOSE, MASTER CYLINDER AND ON THE WIRE TO THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY CONNECTORS AND BATTERY POSTS ARE CLEAN WITH NO CORROSION.