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: power train
140 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 9, 2015
JETTA SPORTWAGEN TDI WITH A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION, SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND, CLUTCH PEDAL STAYED ON THE FLOOR. COULD NOT SHIFT OR CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED OF VEHICLE. ROLLED TO A STOP. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. HAD TO REPLACE CLUTCH, THROW OUT BEARING AND SLAVE CYLINDER. UP TO THIS POINT, THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION OF CLUTCH PROBLEMS. I HAVE DRIVEN 6 MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS A TOTAL OF 911,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD ANY CLUTCH PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, Mar 17, 2015
WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR JUST LOST SPEED AND POWER AND DRIFTED UNTIL IT HIT ZERO. MY CAR STILL TURNED ON, AND MY ENGINE WORKED FINE, BUT THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T START IN ANY GEAR IT WOULD JUST REV THE ENGINES AND THE RPM'S WOULD GO UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR CLUTCH, TRANSMISSION OR POWERTRAIN ISSUES WITH THE CAR UNTIL THE EXACT MOMENT THAT THE CLUTCH BURNED OUT. CAR WAS TOWED TO VW FOR REPAIRS AND I HAD TO GET A HOTEL ROOM FOR THE NIGHT PLUS A RENTAL FOR 5 DAYS AS I HAD TO BE IN RHODE ISLAND AND THE CAR BROKE DOWN IN NEW YORK. TOTAL CLUTCH BURNED OUT WITH SEVERAL LARGE CRACKS IN CLUTCH PLATE, SERVICE MANAGER STATED IT WAS DUE TO BUILD UP OF SNOW/ICE IN AROUND TIRE AND CREATING A DRAG ON THE VEHICLE AND INCREASED TORQUE ON THE DRIVE TRAIN. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF VERY SIMILAR ISSUES LOCATED ON THE INTERNET, VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITH A CLUTCH THAT CAN BARELY HANDLE THE TORQUE OUTPUT OF THE ENGINE BUT CANNOT HANDLE ANY ADDITIONAL TORQUE RESULTING FROM NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SUCH AS SNOW AND ICE. REQUIRED TOTAL COST WAS $1,800 FOR REPAIRS AND LABOR, PLUS $500 FOR THE HOTEL ROOM, FOOD AND RENTAL VEHICLE. *TR
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
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
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
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
Power train, Nov 17, 2013
THE JETTA WAS BEING TEST DRIVEN BY QTM FROM VOA WITH PASSENGER RICK NELSON, SERVICE MANAGER OF BOB BAKER VOLKSWAGEN VW WHEN GETTING ON THE 5 FREEWAY ON THE LAS FLORAS ON RAMP WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR THE ENGINE MISSED. THE QTM COMMENTS ON THE MISS AND STATES THAT HE DOESN'T THINK IT TRIGGERED A FULL MISFIRE, BUT THEN INQUIRED TO RICK NELSON ABOUT THE TSB THAT LISA HAS REGARDING MISFIRE, TSB 01-13-14. QTM ALSO EXPERIENCED AND ACKNOWLEDGED LOSS OF POWER AND THROTTLE RESPONSE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHILE HE WAS DRIVING NORTH ON THE 5 FREEWAY. THE QTM AND RICK NELSON AGREE TO OPEN A VTA AND THE QTM STATES THAT HE WILL TAKE IT OVER AND PUT HIS NOTES IN IT. THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE WITH THE CAR AND WHY I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THE ODD THING IS THAT THE SERVICE INVOICE GENERATED AND GIVEN TO ME STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND DURING THE TEST DRIVE. THE STATEMENTS ON THE SERVICE INVOICE ARE FRAUDULENT AND IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE STATEMENTS MADE BY THE QTM AND SERVICE MANAGER DURING THE TEST DRIVE. I CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THE CAR MISSING WHILE IN SPORT MODE AND LOSS OF THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE IN DRIVE.. THE STATUS OF THE VTA AND ITS CONTENTS ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION. AS FAR AS THE REPUTATION OF THE QTM FROM VOA AND THE DEALERSHIP AND ITS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BOB BAKER VW, I THINK THEIR FRAUDULENT STATEMENTS ON MY SERVICE INVOICE SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. .
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 25, 2013
MY VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC HAS A DELAY OF 1-2 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET ON/OFF A HIGHWAY AND THAT DELAY HAPPENS, THE TRAFFIC HAS TO SLOW TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME AS BY THE TIME IT HAPPENS THEN SURGES, IT IS TOO LATE TO STOP. MY SPEED NEEDLE WAS SO INACCURATE AND BOUNCED SO MUCH I GOT A SPEEDING TICKET. IT WAS 14 MPH OFF. THEY REPLACED THE CLUSTER, BUT NOW BOTH THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER BOUNCE ENOUGH TO NOT BE SURE YOUR SPEED. ELECTRONIC FAN STAYED ON FOR THE ENTIRE 90 MINUTES I WAS IN A COFFEE SHOP AFTER DRIVING ONLY 5 MILES AND HAD BEEN RUNNING AC. AC WHEN NOT ON FULL FAN WILL HAVE PERIODS OF HOT AND HUMID LIKE THE SYSTEM TEMPORARILY SHUTS DOWN, AND OF COURSE, THE CAR HOPS AND SURGES AT SLOW SPEEDS IN ADDITION AS YOU ARE DECELERATING WITH THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, IT WILL JERK YOU DOWN AS IT SHIFTS DOWN. *TR
Power train, Jun 15, 2013
ENGAGING VEHICLE INTO FIRST FROM A STOP,WOULD NOT GO,IT WAS STUCK IN REVERSE FOR A MINUTE. FINALLY WENT INTO FIRST AFTER PLAYING WITH THE SHIFTER AND GETTING IT UNSTUCK. NEW CAR,VOLKSWAGEN IS PATHETIC. *TR
Power train, Engine, May 23, 2013
JETTA HYBRID. LOSS OF TRACTION WHILE ASCENDING STEEP DRIVEWAY. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE EVEN WITH ANOTHER HYBRID. *TR
Power train, Apr 22, 2013
A TWO WEEK OLD 2013 VW JETTA BECAME STUCK IN REVERSE AFTER BEING IN PARK AND THEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF AN EXTREMELY BUSY STREET IN BROOKLYN, NY. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM REVERSE AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. I HEARD FROM OTHERS THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY IT IS NOT A REGISTERED RECALL WITH NHTSA AND WHY I HAD TO EXPERIENCE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR A KNOWN DEFECT. I AM NOT SURE IT WILL BE FIXED AS IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE VW SERVICE CENTER. *TR
Power train, Dec 22, 2012
DSG TRANSMISSION ISSUES: WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC, I COASTED UP TO THE LIGHT WHEN IT WAS MY TURN, THEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER. IT CROSSED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MPH. IT TOOK 5 TO 10 SECONDS FOR THE POWER TO RETURN. IT FELT LIKE IF YOU ARE DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND HAVE THE CAR IN 4TH OR 5TH GEAR WHEN TRYING TO START MOVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT QUITE A FEW INTERSECTIONS. ALSO IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING THEN HAD TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR DUE TO A VEHICLE SLOWING IN FRONT OF ME, I RE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AND THERE WAS NO POWER FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS. *TR
Power train, Oct 18, 2012
WE JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTS WAGON WITH DIESEL TDI ENGINE AND DSG TRANSMISSION. DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 110 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE MECHATRONIC UNIT HAS FAILED. THE SYMPTOM OF THE FAILURE WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITH NO NOTICE AND THE CAR HAD SEVERALLY REDUCED POWER AVAILABLE (LESS THAN 10 MPH). RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS BEFORE. IT SEEMS VERY SERIOUS TO ME TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS FAIL ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. *TR