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: engine
116 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Oct 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Power train, Engine, Oct 14, 2014
VEHICLE JUST EXITED FREEWAY ONTO EXIT RAMP. WHILE BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEED, AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. WHEELS WERE LOCKED, AS IF IT WAS STUCK IN GEAR. VEHICLE SKID SLIGHTLY INTO INTERSECTION ON WET PAVEMENT. VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE WHEN CAR STALLED. VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER OR BEFORE TO INDICATE ENGINE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 19, 2014
TRANSMISSION STARTED LAGGING IN MY MANUAL 2013 VW JETTA S WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SWITCHING INTO SECOND GEAR FROM FIRST GEAR. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKILY, WAS JUST ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND WAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. FIRST REPAIR WAS 11/2/2013. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 5 DAYS LATER ON 11/7/2013. GOT IT FIXED, STARTED DRIVING HOME AND THE PROBLEM KICKED IN AGAIN. HAD TO BRING IT IN ON 11/8/2013 FOR THE SAME REPAIR IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS (3RD TIME IN LESS THAN A WEEK). THE IGNITION COIL WAS MISFIRING AND THE SPARK PLUGS KEPT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. ALL WAS WELL IN GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 26, 2014 WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. A WEEK LATER, THE PROBLEM CAME BACK BUT NOW IT'S MORE ON AND OFF. WILL BE TAKING IT IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE 5TH TIME NOW. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2014
WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF BUT RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS WERE STILL ON ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH FINALLY GOT CAR STOPPED AND STARTED BACK UP FINE SERIOUS PROBLEM NEEDS FIXED.... *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2014
TL* 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 REPLACED THE CONTROL RELAY DEVICE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2014
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,600. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ
Power train, Engine, Jul 14, 2014
CAR WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN PROBLEMS BEGAN. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED, THE CAR'S TACH JUST REVVED UP WITH NO ACCELERATION. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND WE HAD TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE. UPON EXITING, THE CAR SEEMED TO BE STUCK IN GEAR BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WE TRIED SWITCHING TO SPORT MODE AND MANUAL MODE BUT NEITHER MADE A DIFFERENCE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN 15MPH UPON EXITING FREEWAY AND WAS LIMPED INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS CRASH AS VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS. *TR
Engine, Apr 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN HESITATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Power train, Engine, Apr 4, 2014
UPON TAKE OFF THE CAR JERKS, AND U DRIVE THE CAR ON INTERSTATE UNDER CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR JERKS MULTIPLE TIMES, THE 1ST INCIDENT AND THEN HERE RECENTLY, DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT NORMAL RATE OF SPEED CAR JERKS WITHOUT WARNING AND GIVING GAS AT PASSING A VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE IT WILL JERK AND ACT LIKE IT WILL NOT GO WILL JERK AND JERK LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING GAS AND I HAD A FULL TANK SO I HAVE TOOK THE CAR IN NUMBER OF TIMES AND SAYS CAN'T FIND PROBLEM AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WILL DRIVE THE CAR AND NEVER HAPPENS WITH THEM I AM ABOUT READY TO GIVE CAR BACK THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON TOO LONG, THE CAR DOES THIS WITH NO WARNING AND IT WILL SCARE U IT JERKS SO HARD I HAVE BY NOW GOT USED TO THIS BUT I AM SICK OF IT AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED I OWNED A 2011 JETTA WITH NO PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS ONE THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED AND NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS!! MAYBE YA CAN HELP PLEASE!! I HAVE BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP LETTING THEM CHECK IT OUT FOR THE ISSUE AND HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS BUT NO ONE HAS REPORTED IT THIS COULD BECOME A ISSUE IF THE CAR DOES NOT GO UPON ACCELERATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH!! *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 25, 2014
WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND RE-PROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AFTER CONFERRING WITH VW. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Engine, Feb 4, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AS NORMAL WHEN THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND I LOST ALL POWER.THANKFULLY I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. DIAGNOSIS WAS COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED BY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP DESTRUCTING ITSELF AND SENDING METAL SHARDS INTO THE SYSTEM. INITIALLY DEALER SUSPECTED CONTAMINATED DIESEL. UPON ANALYSIS OF FUEL DEALER CONFIRMED THAT ONLY DIESEL WAS PRESENT IN THE SYSTEM AND THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. AS A RESULT OF THIS ALL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING INJECTORS, HPFP, LIFT PUMP, FUEL LINES ETC ETC. VW IS COVERING REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY AS THEY SHOULD, BUT CLEARLY THE ONGOING ISSUE OF HPFP FAILURES IN VW TDIS HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY RESOLVED. *TR
Fuel system, Diesel, Power train, Engine, Dec 18, 2013
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND I STARTED COASTING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WOULD PRESS THE GAS AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV, BUT NO POWER WOULD BE DELIVERED. IT WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING I'VE EXPERIENCED BEFORE WITH THE CAR. IT WAS LIKE I WAS IN A FALSE NEUTRAL, THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT REGAIN POWER, I WAS FORCED TO COAST TO A HALT IN TRAFFIC. WHEN I TRIED TO REMOVE MY KEY TO POWER DOWN THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT LET ME TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR THOUGHT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT YET IN PARK EVEN THOUGH IT WAS. AFTER A FEW SECONDS I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY, WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY. *TR
Engine, Sep 3, 2013
THIS PAST MAY, WE BOUGHT A VW JETTA GLI AT JENNINGS VOLKSWAGEN (GLENVIEW, IL) FOR OUR SONS LAST YEAR OF COLLEGE. THE CAR LOOKED GREAT AND HE LOVED IT. AT ABOUT 1000 MILES, WHILE HE WAS DRIVING WITH HIS FRIENDS, THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND A SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN. LUCKILY, HE WAS CROSSING A PARKING LOT SO HE WAITED UNTIL IT RESTARTED. WE MADE NO BIG DEAL OF IT AND TOOK IT TO JENNINGS WHERE THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THEN, JUST LAST WEEK, AT 3000 MILES, THE SAME HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR DAUGHTER IN THE CAR ON WEST LAKE AVENUE. THIS TIME, WE WERE CONCERNED, SINCE THIS HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR IN A CONGESTED STREET. WE WORRIED NOW, SINCE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED. OUR SON DRIVES TO THE CITY ON A DAILY BASIS TO ATTEND SCHOOL AND HE TAKES THE HIGHWAY. WHAT IF THAT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND A TRUCK HAD BEEN BEHIND HIM? IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT IN AUSTRALIA WITH ANOTHER VW, WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TRANSMISSION, EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF CERTAIN OF THESE CARS IN CHINA, JAPAN, AND AUSTRALIA FOR SIMILAR ISSUES SO WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED. OUR SON TOOK THE CAR TO JENNINGS AGAIN, AND WAS SENT HOME WITH A RENTAL CAR WHILE THEY LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE. THEY APPARENTLY DID VARIOUS DRIVING AND MECHANICAL TESTS AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE SCENARIO, SINCE APPARENTLY THE CARS COMPUTER HAD NOT REGISTERED ANY OF THE FAILURES. THE CAR DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO BUY BACK OR REPLACE THE CAR.*JB
Engine, Jul 13, 2013
WE WERE TRAVELING IN CENTER LANE ON I-75 IN FL DOING 70 MPH. DASH LIGHT INDICATOR SHOWED DOUBLE CIRCLE ERROR LIGHT. ENGINE QUIT AND CAR LOST ALL POWER. COASTED TO BREAKDOWN LANE. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 23, 2013
JETTA HYBRID. LOSS OF TRACTION WHILE ASCENDING STEEP DRIVEWAY. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE EVEN WITH ANOTHER HYBRID. *TR
Engine, Apr 17, 2013
BASED UPON MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OTHER OWNERS COMMENTS FOUND ON THE THE WEB, THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH VARIOUS EXHAUST LEAKS ON LATE MODEL JETTA TDI'S WHICH ALLOWS DANGEROUS DIESEL SULFUR FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN. *TR