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: other or unspecified
98 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 25, 2020
IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT AND KEY WILL NOT TURN IN HIGH TEMPERATURES. 100 PART AND 2.5 HOURS AT 190/HOUR IN LABOR REQUESTED BY VW. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 60K AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. PART NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND NORMAL CAR HEAT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2020
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BROKE AND WAS STUCK IN ON POSITION. WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME AND PARK THE VEHICLE UNTIL MY BOYFRIEND GOT OFF OF WORK. THE STEERING LOCK FROZE IN THE LOCK CYLINDER PREVENTING THE KEY FROM TURNING BACK.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2020
ERROR FOUND IN COLD FILL TIRE PRESSURE IN NATIONAL SYSTEM USED BY BUSINESSES. VEHICLE DOOR STICKER/PLACARD AND OWNERS MANUAL STATES 41 PSI COLD FILL TIRE PRESSURE. NATIONAL SYSTEM IS RETURNING A FILL PRESSURE OF 33 PSI. EXPERIENCE: AT COSTCO TIRE DEPARTMENT THEIR SYSTEM STATES TO FILL TO 33 PSI; TIRE REPRESENTATIVE DISCOVERS DOOR PLACARD AND INDICATES AN ISSUE FOR NOT MATCHING IN SYSTEM. AT LATER DATE MICHELIN CORPORATE IS CALLED BY MYSELF AND THEIR SYSTEM ALSO RETURNS 33 PSI FOR THIS VEHICLE. MICHELIN IS SENT PHOTOS OF DOOR STICKER/PLACARD AND OWNERS MANUAL AND INDICATES AN ISSUE FOR NOT MATCHING IN SYSTEM. THIS COMPLAINT IS URGENT AND SAFETY IS AT JEOPARDY. PLEASE TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO ELEVATE. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SYSTEM ERROR THAT ALL NATIONAL BUSINESSES UTILIZE FOR RELYING ON COLD FILL TIRE PRESSURE. THE DIFFERENCE IS MAJOR; VOLKSWAGEN STATES 41 PSI AND THE NATIONAL SYSTEM UTILIZED IS STATING 33 PSI. THIS VEHICLE TRIM IS A HYBRID 17 INCH WHEELS AND ALL ORIGINAL. BY NATURE OF BEING A HYBRID THE VEHICLE WEIGHS MORE DUE TO THESE HYBRID COMPONENTS. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT OPERATING THIS VEHICLE WITH TIRES FILLED TO 33 PSI IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. FROM EXPERIENCE IT APPEARS VEHICLES OF THIS TRIM ARE IMPROPERLY BEING FILLED AT BUSINESSES SINCE THE SYSTEM HAS A TIRE PRESSURE DATA ERROR. AND IN FACT MANY VEHICLES MAY CURRENTLY BE AFFECTED AND POSE A SERIOUS RISK ON OUR ROADS IF THEIR TIRE WERE FILLED TO 33 PSI. I AM HERE TO BE OF ASSISTANCE SO PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT. THERE MUST BE A WAY TO FIX THIS ERROR. PLEASE FIRST VERIFY THIS ERROR IN THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM. THEN FIND EXACTLY WHERE THE DATA IS STORED, GOVERNMENT AGENCY VS MANUFACTURER, AND THEN MAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THE DATA. I FEEL I WAS AT DANGER OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH TIRES FILLED TO 33 PSI AND I WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY IF SOMEONE ELSE OPERATED THE VEHICLE IN THE SAME CONDITIONS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 31, 2020
IGNITION IS HARD TO TURN. THE KEY WIIL NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE IGNITION TO TURN OFF IS TO PHYSICALLY/AGGRESSIVLEY SNAP, FLICK, OR JIGGLE IT TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS IN PARK WHEN THE INCIDENTS OCCUR. DURING A GOOGLE SEARCH, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS OCCURING. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL OF THE MICROSWITCH CAUSING IGNITION ISSUES, YET IGNITION CYLINDER IS NOT INCLUDED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN THE BACK SEAT, BUT I NOTICED IT BECAUSE I HEARD THE DOOR AJAR NOTIFICATION ON MY DRIVING PANEL WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF THE DOOR RANDOMLY OPENS AND SOMEONE IS IN THE BACKSEAT THEY COULD BE IN DANGER. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2020
KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN OFF. LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE RECALL 19V615000 FROM LAST YEAR, BUT MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED, DESPITE BEING IN THE SAME YEARS AND MODELS. IGNITION FAILS TO RECOGNIZE WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND WON'T LET KEY BE RELEASED. LEAVES ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO TURN OFF CAR OR REMOVE KEY. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 18, 2020
I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSIONS HAD A RECALL AND WHEN I CALLED THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THEM I'VE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM RECENTLY WHERE MY CAR WAS GOING FROM ELECTRIC TO GASOLINE WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL AND THEN WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS MY CAR WOULD NOT GO BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL BE ON WITH NO DASH BORED LIGHTS ON THEY COME ON AND THEN THEY TURN OFF. I ASKED IF THEY CAN LOOK AT WHAT WAS REPLACED AND THEY SAID IT WOULD CHARGE ME AN EXPENSIVE AMOUNT TO PAY PER HOUR WHICH IS CRAZY! WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR THERE WERE A LOT OF CODES THAT THEY COMPLETELY ERASED FROM THE CAR THE DAY AFTER I GOT IT FROM ANOTHER OWNER I WAS ALREADY HAVING ISSUES AND SHE CALLED AND ASKED JUST THERE WAS NO AVAILABLE SLOTS THEN TOO. WHAT MY CAR IS DOING IS DANGEROUS AND IT'S SCARY I DON'T EVEN WANT TO DRIVE IT AT THIS POINT AND I ONLY HAD IT SINCE MARCH 13TH IF THIS YEAR AND THE RECALL WAS DONE IN FEBRUARY THE ONE GUY TOLD ME AND I'M THE BEGINNING HE TOLD ME JANUARY AND THEY WON'T DO NOTHING ABOUT IT MY E MODE WON'T COME ON ANYMORE AND WHEN MY CAR IS IN STATIONARY IT JERKS CONTINUOUSLY. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2020
STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION WITHOUT HAVING TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE, PUSH AND TURN THE KEY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2020
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK SOBER, CLEAR WEATHER, WITH NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME ON AN INTERSTATE (WIDE OPEN SPACE), WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED SENDING GLASS EVERYWHERE. IT SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB DETONATED. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY SUNROOF WAS DESTROYED AND WARPED OUTWARD, ALMOST IN A CONCAVE SHAPE. I CALLED THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP TO ASK ABOUT RECALLS AND THEY STATED NO, WHILE INSISTING ROAD DEBRIS HIT MY CAR. I KNOW THIS TO BE PATENTLY FALSE AS I HAD NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME AND WAS NOT DISTRACTED. I RESEARCHED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ONLINE WITH MY CAR'S MODEL YEAR BEING VIABLE. I WANT TO REPORT THAT THIS IS INDEED A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD THAT IS EXPENSIVE WITH A DEDUCTIBLE, RENTAL, MISSED WORK, ETC., AND VW SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2019
MY CAR STALLED ON ME 4 TIMES BETWEEN MAY 2018- DECEMBER 2019. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND IT FEELS LIKE THE ENTIRE CAR CEASES TO HAVE POWER. 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. 1 OUT OF 4 TIMES ANOTHER CAR WAS HIT DUE TO THE STALL. IN ANOTHER 1 OUT OF 4 TIMES, THERE WAS ALMOST A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I ENDED UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD OF TRAFFIC. TRANSPORTATION CANADA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS (I AM LOCATED IN TORONTO, ON, CANADA AND ALL INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN TORONTO). VOLKSWAGEN CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND HAVE NOT PROVIDED A SOLUTION OR A NORMAL COURSE OF ACTION TO THIS SAFETY CONCERN. I AM PREGNANT NOW AND EVEN MORE CONCERNED. MY CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2013 AND HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT VOLKSWAGEN - IT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BESIDES THIS REOCCURRING SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2019
I CHECKED MY VEHICLE INTO VALET SERVICES, WHILE TRYING TO PARK MY CAR THE VALET WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ME THEREFORE MY CAR WAS RUNNING FOR 2 HOURS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2019
WHILE GETTING MY BRAKE PADS CHANGED, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE INGINTION SWITCH TO OFF WHILE THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING IN PARK ON THEIR LIFT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING ON AND OFF THE ENGINE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2019
TAKATA RECALL . MY ROOF CLOTH COME OFF AND MY IGNITION HAS LOCK MY LOCK KEY IN AND DOESN'T COME OUT. BOTH MY CAR KEYS ARE BROKING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2019
THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF PROPERLY
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2019
THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF PROPERLY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2019
THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION , NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF PROPERLY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2019
THE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION NOT ALLOWING TO PROPERLY TURN OFF THE VECHILE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2019
MY KEY CONSTANTLY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. MY CAR TURNS ON BUT NOT OFF WHICH LEAVES ME TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY AND TAKE OUT FUSE SO NO ONE STEALS MY CAR OVERNIGHT. A LOT OF PEOPLE I KNOW WITH JETTAS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUES. I THINK IT IS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. I ALSO HAVE A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES. MY HORN DOES NOT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID DOESNT WORK, MY PASSENGER WINDOW AS WELL! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ASAP !
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2019
THE KEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE NOW BROKEN BOTH SETS OF KEYS.. AND STILL NO RECALL. 11 PAGES OF I BROKE MY KEY IN MY IGNITION AND STILL NO RECALL. ABSURD.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2019
KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2019
CAR WON'T SHUT OFF AND KEYS ARE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. CAR IS IN PARK, I TRY WIGGLING IT AND TURNING THE WHEEL BUT NOTHING WORKS.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2019
KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION. CAR WON'T TURN OFF. APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2018
THE AUTOLOCK DOOR SYSTEM FAILS TO UNLOCK THE REAR LEFT DOOR. A PESON IN THE REAR LEFT SEAT POSITION CAN NOT EXIT THE DOOR IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE LEFT REAR DOOR LOCK CAN BE BYPASSED. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO VW OF AMERICA ON 10/17/18 (1 800 822-8987). THE DEFECTIVE LOCKING MECHANISM HAS BEEN INTERMITANTLY MALFUNCTIONING FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2018
IGNICIN WON'T WORK KEY STOCK