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, Jul 21, 2017
KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2017
THE CAR WAS TURNED ON BY A MECHANIC TO BE MOVED TO BE WORKED ON. HE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. HE CALLED THE VW DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM/DEFECT. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ESPECIALLY IF OUT OF TOWN OR OUT LATE AT NIGHT. THE PART WILL TAKE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS TO GET IN STOCK AT A COST OF OVER $600.00.
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2017
REPEAT OCCURRENCE KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. NEW IGNITION WAS REPLACE LESS THAN TWO YEARS, AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AND IN NEED OF NEW IGNITION AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 25, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 94 THE EPC AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT TURNED ON. AT MY 55MPH, MY SPEED DECREASED IMMEDIATELY AT 20 MPH. MY SON AND I FELT UNSAFE, AS THERE WERE CARS BEHIND ME DRIVING AT THEIR PROPER SPEED LIMIT. IT WAS SCARY AS THESE CARS COULD OF CRASHED INTO MY VEHICLE AS MY GAS PEDAL LOST IMMEDIATE SPEED.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2017
UNABLE TO TURN OFF ENGINE. KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF IGNITION (STATIONARY).
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 19, 2017
REPLACED VARIABLE VALVE TIMING SOLENOID. FELLS LIKE ENGINE WANTS TO SHUT OFF IDLES RUFF. AFTER REPLACEMENT HAVING SAME ISSUE WITH CAR. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.
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, Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2016
CAN NOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2016
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF ENGINE WHEN I PARK
Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2016
THE HORN STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO WARN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS COMING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY TOWARDS MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY HORN BUT I WAS CHARGED TO HAVE IT REPLACED SINCE IT MUST BE WORKING TO PASS INSPECTION. WITHOUT A HORN THERE IS NO WARNING FOR OTHER MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS. OTHER JETTA OWNERS ARE ALSO HAVING THIS ISSUE AS I NOTICED ONLINE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2016
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CANNOT TURN VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2016
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, CAR WON'T TURN OFF.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2016
UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY TO TURN OFF VEHICLE, VEHICLE WAS IN PARK POSITION. VW WAS TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2016
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2016
MY 2013 JETTA HAS 37,000 MILES, JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. I DROVE TO MY DAUGHTERS AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. I COULDNT TURN THE CAR OFF OR GET THE KEY OUT. I CALLED A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A TRICK TO GETTING MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SO I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF. THE LADY AT THE DEALER LAUGHED AND SAID YES THERE IS A TRICK ILL TRANSFER YOU TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND HOW TO JIGGLE THE KEY AND TURN IT BACK AND FORTH AND SHOULD WORK. IT WORKED WHEN I GOT HOME. LAST NIGHT I WENT TO GROCERY STORE AND SAME THING MY CAR WOULDNT TURN OFF THE KEY WAS LOCKED. I TRIED THE METHOD THAT THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME TO DO AND STILL WOULDNT TURN OFF. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEY COULDNT. THEY SENT ME HOME WITH A RENTAL AND TOOK MY CAR INTO THE SERVICE GARAGE. FOR ALL I KNOW ITS STILL RUNNING. SO THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY FAIL TO RECALL THIS IGNITION AND MAKE THE CAR OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE PART AND THE LABOR TO INSTALL. THE IGNITION SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2016
I HAVE A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SE PZEV 2.5 IT HAS 58,000 MILES. THE AC COMPRESSOR WENT OUT NOW STILL PAYING OFF CAR I ALSO AM PAYING FOR AN NEW AC COMPRESSOR ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR THAT IS 1600 TO FIX. THE CAR MIRROR PLASTIC PIECE ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR FALLS OFF AND LOOSENS WHILE DRIVING.ALSO WHILE DRIVING A RATTLING NOISE IS HEARD IT SOUNDS LIKE CHAINS IT'S FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR OR WHERE THE SHIFT STICK TO PARK, DRIVE ETC . AND THE PASSENGER DOORS MAKE NOISES LIKE ITS LOOSE WHILE OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS. THERE'S A JOLT FEELING WHILE DRIVING LIKE TRANSMISSION JOLTS. THE CAR WHILE TURN IT ON MAKES A HUMMING UNPLEASANT NOISE LIKE ITS MISSING FLUID.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2016
IGNITION KEY WILL STICK IN LOCK FOR NO KNOWN REASON,KEY WILL NOT TURN AT ALL , IT FEELS AS IF IT IS MECHANICALLY LOCKED IN THE IGNITION,ADDED SOME GRAPHITE TO IGNITION LOCK NO DIFFERENCE NOTED, HAVE BEEN STUCK IN PARKING AREAS AND OTHER PLACES UNTIL KEY WAS ABLE TO UN-STICK. VERY FRUSTRATING, THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY AND ONLY WHEN TURN "OFF" IGNITION.. VERY SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. HAS HAPPENED APPROX 100 TIMES
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 1, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHT/SIGN ON THE DASHBOARD IS ALWAYS ON,CHARGING OUTLET NOT WORKING , VW LET US PAY $189.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WANT US TO PAY $500.00 FROM THE REFUND FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO FIX THE AIRBAG PROB. THEY CLAIM IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING CHEWED BY RODENTS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 10, 2015
THIS VEHICLE DOESN'T RUN CORRECTLY IT REFUSES TO MOVE WHILE IN DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2015
IGNITION SWITCH: THE KEY HAS GOTTEN STUCK MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE ON POSITION IN OUR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IGNITION.. A QUICK WEB SEARCH DEMONSTRATES MY FAMILY IS NOT ALONE IN THIS ISSUE. A CARGURU FORUM DISCUSSION (:HTTP://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T41581_DS528745) GOES ON AT LENGTH ABOUT IT. A COMPLAINTS.COM COMMENT ALSO MENTIONS THIS PROBLEM.: (HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/JETTA/2012/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/IGNITION_SWITCH_PROBLEMS.SHTML) A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH TURNS UP LOTS OF IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS IN VW'S. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IF YOU CANT GET YOUR KEY TO TURN TO THE OFF POSITION, AND SOME OTHER PART FAILS LIKE THE BRAKES OR THE ACCELERATOR. I URGE THERE TO BE A RECALL. IT SEEMS TO AFFECT MULTIPLE MAKES AND MODELS. ADDITIONALLY THIS SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT COSTS A CAR OWNER 1000$ + TO FIX.
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2015
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THROUGH HIGHER ELEVATIONS NORTHBOUND ON HWY 101 NORTH OF UKIAH, CA, I HEARD A LOUD BANG. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GLASS STARTED RAINING OUT OF THE SUNROOF VISOR VENTS (THANKFULLY IT WAS CLOSED). I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 1/4 MILE OR SO UNTIL THERE WAS A SAFE PLACE TO TURN OFF. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THERE WAS ONE LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS, SHATTER FRACTURES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PANE, AND THE EDGES OF THE GLASS WERE ANGLED UP INDICATING AN OUTWARD EXPLOSION OF THE GLASS. BOTH MY PASSENGER AND I WERE COVERED IN BITS OF GLASS AND IT WAS JUST EVERYWHERE. WE CLEANED UP WHAT WE COULD AND PROCEEDED HOME FOR THE REMAINING 10 HOURS UNTIL I COULD DROP IT OFF AT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2015
HORN HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT, ENTIRE HORN NEEDS REPLACING.