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: service brakes
22 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2024
I would assume the issue had something to do with the power train. 2 days after i had bought the car my wife and i were on our way to the gym and we had just came to a complete stop. Upon entering the highway the car would no longer accelerate no matter how much pressure was put on the accelerator pedal. The engine light also came on. Luckily there were no cars behind me and I was able to pull over with the car moving on its own. This is really dangerous. This has happened to me multiple times. I have taken it back to the dealership i had bought the car from and they have a private mechanic that solely works for the company. He has scanned for any codes and has told me no codes are populating so he’s not sure why the engine light is still on. It was taken to a VW dealership and the vehicle will no longer start. There was an electrical issue at some point and now might be a transmission issue along with other things.
Service brakes, Feb 27, 2023
I was driving on a rainy day on the freeway where my breaks went out on me. I pressed down all of the way and the car wouldn’t stop. After I let go of the break I then pressed on the break again and they seemed to have locked on me. I ended up using my emergency breaks and was able to get off the freeway and luckily no one was hurt. Soon after they started working again and I was able to get it safely to a near by shop.
Service brakes, Sep 22, 2022
The car automatically locked its brakes without me even touching the brakes while I was going 60mph and almost lost control. My safety was put at risk because the car locked its brakes without me pushing the breaks, they would not disengage and was stuck in the middle of the road with the brakes not releasing and almost caused an accident. I has happened multiple times but not confirmed by dealer or independent mechanic.The vehicle has been inspected by VW dealer. No warning lights came on the dash.
Power train, Air bags, Service brakes, Jun 29, 2022
Transmission shifts hard and told to this is a common problem with the Jetta hybrids.
Service brakes, May 23, 2022
On more than one occasion the front left brake seized up. The last time was when I was on a toll road and felt warbling in the tires so I got off on an exit and when I reached the red light the left front brake seized up and the car wouldn't budge. Once the car rested and the brake cooled off I was able to drive it to a safe place and had it towed to the VW dealership who because they couldn't get it to duplicate the issue couldn't tell me what was wrong. It does not happen consistently and I fear to think that if I was doing 55 MPH the car would have caused a horrible accident. In the past when it happened the car would not accelerate over 40 MPH and I could feel the brakes were applying pressure.
Service brakes, Mar 29, 2022
The brake system has malfunctioned, and I would be happy for you to inspect it. The brakes come on suddenly when the foot brake is not being applied. The car will not move when this happens, creating a very dangerous situation on the road. I have been stranded in a lane with cars zooming around me. Everyone is at risk. A tech on the VW helpline confirmed the problem with my mechanic and suggested two very expensive fixes which have not resolved the problem. There have been no warning indicators for this problem. It happens randomly and unexpectedly.
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2022
The transmissions on the 2013-2016 Jetta Hybrids have an extremely high failure rate. These transmissions fail without warning and leave the car without propulsion and deactivate the regenerative brakes causing the car to behave erratically. VW issued a recall (19V866000) but are claiming owners within those model years with the exact same issues are "not covered". I have experienced this myself and you can find many many many examples on the complaints section of this website. VW issued a recall but is claiming everyones vin is not included.
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, Dec 27, 2021
The ABS lights go on and the speedometer stopped working and all the lights have activated. the abs module has been reported that there is a defect in most of the jettas and so i believe that this should be a recall issue.
Service brakes, Feb 12, 2021
THE BRAKE DID NOT APPLY. AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WAS IN "R" (REVERSE), THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 20, 2020
IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN ELECTRICALLY, AS IF A FUSE SHORTED, ALMOST ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WENT UNRESPONSIVE, NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION. ONCE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT WAS TURNED OFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, THE SAME DASHBOARD LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 40MPH, CREATING ANOTHER ACCIDENT RISK DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE HOME.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 28, 2020
THE MECHATRONIC UNIT HAD ALREADY HAD TO BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE 2ND ISSUE HAPPENED I WAS AT THE STOPLIGHT IN THE CAR LOST ALL MOVEMENT POWER THE AC AND ALL THE INSTRUMENTS WERE ALSO WORKING DOOR LOCKS WINDOWS EVERYTHING I GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT WAS THE ELECTRIC MOTOR QUOTED ME NEARLY $12000
Power train, Service brakes, Feb 8, 2020
HYBRID MODULE WORK SHOP WARNING. THE CAR HAS NOW POWER BREAKS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR UNDER PERFORMS WHEN THE ELECTRIC DRIVE DOES NOT WORK. NO POWER BRAKES ADD TO THE PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 2 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT A DRIVE ABILITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. VW HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL WITH A SOLUTION.
Service brakes, Jan 10, 2019
MY 18 YEAR WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A SIDE STREET WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYBODY BY PULLING TO THE SIDE AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO DRIFT TO A STOP. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 43000 MILES AND JUST CAME OUT OF WARRANTY LESS THAN 9 MONTHS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD FAILED. VW REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $1000. VW INSISTS THIS IS NOT A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES DESPITE THE FACT THAT COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM ARE PREVALENT ON THE INTERNET.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 21, 2018
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STAYED GOING AT THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING IT WOULD NOT EXHILARATE OR BRAKE IT STAYED FROZEN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES
Service brakes, Sep 1, 2016, crash
BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 4, 2016
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.
Power train, Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 14, 2016, crash
TL* 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 REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR REVERSE, IT WOULD JERK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH, THE ELECTRICAL BOARD BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. ALL OF THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SAFETY PIN THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL BOARD WAS NOT FULLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2014
I WENT THROUGH SOME WATER (NOT MUCH) ANDTHEN WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT I STOPPED THE CAR. AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE OF BEING STOPPED THE CAR STALLED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE BATTERY IS NEW AND I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN DECEMBER 2013 AND IT IS A YEAR MODEL 2013. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL NOW. I WENT TO TURN A CORNER AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, CAR STALLED, AND STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS ISSUE IS, BUT THE CAR IS ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD (IF EVEN THAT). VERY FRUSTRATING. *TR
Service brakes, May 6, 2014
ATTEMPTED TO USE MY BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DIDN'T STOP THE CAR. UPON THE SECOND OR THIRD PUMP, IT DID FINALLY ENGAGE. THIS DELAY IN THE BRAKE CAUSED ME TO RUN A STOP SIGN. I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS AROUND. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 27, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,857. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Sep 9, 2013
WHEN DRIVING MY JETTA IN "S" (SPORT SELECTION ON THE TRANSMISSION) ON A SURFACE STREET I CAME TO A RED LIGHT. I STARTED BRAKING AND THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY AND UNRESPONSIVE. I TRIED PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MORE FORCE BUT WAS NOT GETTING MUCH BRAKING RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE TOOK A VERY LONG DISTANCE TO RESPOND COMPARED TO ITS RESPONSE TIME WHEN IN "D" (DRIVE SELECTION ON THE TRANSMISSION). LUCKY I AM AN EARLY BARKER AND THERE WAS NOT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SO THE VEHICLE ONLY WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE IT STOPPED. WHEN FINALLY AT A STOP I KEPT STEADY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SINKING TOWARDS THE FLOOR BOARD. IT FELT LIKE IT DOES WHEN YOU ARE BLEEDING AIR OUT OF THE LINES. WHILE AT THE STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK FURTHER, AT FIRST SLOWLY, AND THEN WITH ONE FINAL QUICK MOVEMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE CAR. THE ONLY TIME I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BRAKE ACTIVITY IS WITH OLDER CARS WHEN ONE IS PERFORMING THE TASK OF BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF I HAD BEEN TAPPED FROM BEHIND THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN SENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. DURING THIS INCIDENT I NOTICED THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS RUNNING AT 900 RPM EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS AT A "COMPLETE", OR BETTER STATED, THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO ADDITIONAL BRAKING PRESSURE AVAILABLE. I FEEL VERY UNSURE AND UNSAFE WHEN I GO TO USE MY BRAKES AND HAVE TO ALLOW SEVERAL EXTRA CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME TO ENSURE THAT I AM ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. *TR