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
516 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, May 30, 2019
IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN OFF. HAD TO MONKEY WITH THE KEY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE RECALL. ALSO NOTED THAT THE KEY HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO TURN AT TIME SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR A MONTH AGO.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2019
KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION. CAR WON'T TURN OFF. APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2019
ON DECEMBER 8, 2016 WE PURCHASED A 2013 VW JETTA HYBRID WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. WITHIN 3 MONTHS IT WAS LOSING POWER, JUMPY AND NOT DRIVING CORRECTLY. THIS WAS FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD SON. IT WOULD LOSE COMPLETE POWER ON THE STREET. NOT IDEAL FOR A BRAND NEW DRIVER. TOWED IT TO DEALER, TOLD NEEDED NEW TRANSMISSION. FOUR WEEKS LATER WE FINALLY GOT CAR BACK. STILL NOTICED A JUMPY FEELING WHEN DRIVING BUT ASSUMED DEALER FIXED CORRECTLY. IN NOVEMBER 2017 SAME THING HAPPENED, LOSS OF POWER, JUMPY, NOT SAFE AT ALL. TOWED IN TO DEALER AGAIN AND THEY SAID VEHICLE NEEDED REPAIRS OF 12K AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I COULD NOT PAY THAT NOR COULD I NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT WASN'T COVERED??? DEALER SAID CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE AND THEY GAVE US 500.00. I STILL OWE 11K ON THE LOAN. PLEASE HELP, I AM JUST SICK ABOUT THE WAY I WAS TREATED AND THE DEBT I INCURRED FOR NO REASON. I REALLY FEEL LIKE THIS WAS A LEMON.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 6, 2019
THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, LOSING POWER TO THE ENGINE. AT FIRST, IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN MONTHLY (50,000 MILES) ONLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY (AT STOP LIGHTS OR IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY). THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE VEHICLE COULD BE STARTED AGAIN IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED LURCHING ACCELERATION AT LOW GEARS. IT WOULD NOT TRIGGER ANY CODES (FOR EITHER ISSUE), AND MULTIPLE VW DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE STALLING THEN OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING (70,000 MILES), CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. THIS OCCURRED WHILE ON A FREEWAY AT 70 MPH; THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE FREEWAY BY AN OFFICER AND THEN TOWED. STILL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PRODUCE ANY CODES. AFTER OVER 1 MONTH AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER AND REPLACEMENT OF 4 DIFFERENT WIRES THAT APPEARED CORRODED, AND THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY, THE SAME ISSUES PERSISTED. THE STALLING BEGAN TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY, BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING, AND BEGAN TO TRIGGER THE EPC LIGHT (80,000 MILES). BY THIS TIME IT WAS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NOT WILLING TO RENT A CAR FOR AN UNKNOWN DURATION FOR THE SERVICE CENTER TO ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE.
Visibility, Apr 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 75 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED MAITA TOYOTA OF SACRAMENTO (2500 AUBURN BLVD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95821, (916)-265-5629) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTIES WERE EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,805.
Engine, Mar 26, 2019
I WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGE. I DID COMPLAIN STRANGE NOISE FROM MY ENGINE AND I MENTIONED MY ENGINE IS 2.0 TSI. IT MAY HAS A RECALL ON TIMING CHAIN EXTENSIONER. THEY CHECK THE VIN AND SAID MY CAR HAS NO RECALL AT ALL. THEY REFUSE TO PUT THAT NOTE ON MY REGISTATION. I CAN HEAR THE CHAIN NOISE WHEN I SPEED UP TO 30 MILE. ALSO SOMETIME I START THE CAR, THE BANGING STRANGE NOISE COME OUT.
Engine, Feb 28, 2019
DTC P2432 STORED IN ECM. VW ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 2012 MODEL JETTAS FOR THIS ISSUE. BOTH MODEL YEARS HAVE EXACT SAME SAI SYSTEM AND PRESSURE SENSOR. VW IS ON ITS 3RD GENERATION OF PRESSURE SENSOR AND PIPE CONFIGURATIONS AS THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE. WARRANTY EXTENSION SHOULD BE GRANTED FOR 2013 MODEL YEAR.
Engine, Feb 27, 2019
ENGINE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IN MOTION AT 45 MPH AND STALLED AND AGAIN AT APPROX 30MPH AND 25MPH WITHIN A WEEK.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 8, 2019
TWICE STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, CURRENTLY HAS ENGINE MALFUNCTION CODE P2015 FOR INTAKE FLAP VALVE FAILURE. VW STATES IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THE CCTA ENGINE CODE FOR 2011-2012 VW 2.0T TSI ENGINES. HOWEVER SINCE IT WASN'T EXTENDED TO MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE THE SAME THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE NHTSA DIDN'T IDENTIFY MY VEHICLE YEAR YET.
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2019
FAULTY HORN IN BOTH STATIONATY AND MOVING POSITIONS. WILL WORK AND THEN SUDDENLY STOP WORKING. REPLACED HORN RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE, BUT CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS LATER.
Structure, Jan 22, 2019
TAKATA RECALL, THE DOORS OPENING MECHANISM IN COLD WEATHER WON'T ALLOW YOU TO CLOSE YOUR DOOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO VOLKSWAGEN SINCE AT LEAST THE 2000S MODELS. I HAD JUST WENT OUT OF MY HOUSE AND GOTTEN INTO MY CAR WHEN I NOTICE THAT THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT WOULD FROM THE INSIDE. I THEN WENT TO CLOSE MY DOOR AND IT WOULDN'T CLOSE. ABOUT AN HOUR OF MY CAR ON WITH THE HEAT ON FULL BLAST THE DOOR WAS FINALLY ABOUT TO CLICK SHUT.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2019
IT'S FREEZING OUTSIDE.THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK IN THE MORNING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS LOW. FOR OUR SAFETY WE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. PLEASE HELP.
Power train, Dec 30, 2018
SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. ON FREEWAY MUST ROLL TO A STOP. NO ENGINE LIGHTS ON. MECHANIC UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, CAR IS NOT GIVING A TROUBLE CODE. ISSUE OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD OR HOT AT A STOP OR MOVING. IT'S BEEN OCCURRING TWICE A WEEK NOW FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. I'VE NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ON AUTOMOBILE FORUMS.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 29, 2018
MY CAR WHILE ON THE BUSY INTERSTATE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. IT WAS RUNNING BUT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DID NOTHING. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SHOULDER. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAITED 5 MIN, & TURNED IT BACK ON. THE EPC LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS ABLE TO THEN MANEUVER SLOWLY TO A NEARBY TRUCK STOP TO CALL FOR A TOW. THE CAR SURGED THE WHOLE TIME. 1 WEEK LATER THE VW DEALERSHIP SAYS ENGINE ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILURE & THAT IT WILL COST ME $1200. OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY & NO RECALLS. THIS IS DANGEROUS & COSTLY.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW PLUG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN OF OCALA (5135 SW COLLEGE ROAD, OCALA, FL 34474) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,890.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 12, 2018
THE WIPER BLADES MOTOR STOPS WORKING IN LOW TEMPERATURES. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ICY BLADES OR FROZEN SNOW, IT SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE VERY LOW. ONCE TEMPERATURES GO UP, THEY START WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT WIPER BLADES WHEN IT SNOWS OR RAINS IN LOW TEMPERATURE. VW DEALERS SAY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MOTORS FAILING AND IT'S US THE CAR OWNERS WHO HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $600 PLUS $100 DIAGNOSTIC FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTORS. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY VW CARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THINK VW SHOULD RECALL ALL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND GIVE US A SOLUTION FOR FREE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 13, 2018
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS LOUD AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. VERY INTERMITTENT.
Power train, Nov 12, 2018
LEFT WORK AND BARELY MADE IT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR MADE A 'CLUNK' AND LURCHED IN D BUT WOULD NOT GO. LARGE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, PUT CAR IN P, WAITED AND THEN BACK TO D. STILL WOULD NOT DRIVE. TURNED IT OFF AND WAITED A MINUTE OR TWO. WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE TO PARKING LOT. LARGE LIGHT WAS OUT BUT CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. LOTS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK. MY VIN NOT IN RECALL. 😡
Structure, Nov 6, 2018
INOPERATIVE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK WHEN LOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB REMOTE. DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB, NOR WILL IT WITH THE BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR. IT WILL ONLY LOCK WITH THE KEY SOMETIMES. BUT EVEN THEN, PROBABLY 50% OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T LOCK WITH THAT. CAR WILL NOT LOCK WHILE YOU ARE SITTING INSIDE, OR DRIVING. NOT VERY SAFE WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH DANGEROUS CITIES'.. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE UNAWARE WHEN THIS DEFECT IS NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO LOCK YOUR DOOR, IF NEEDED. ISN'T THAT WHAT A LOCK IS FOR- SAFETY AND SECURITY? THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE- WITHIN PREVIOUS YEARS. VOLKSWAGEN IS OBVIOUSLY JUST REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE VW MECHANIC, HE SEEMED VERY WELL AWARE OF THIS VOLKSWAGEN 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
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 16, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR CUT OFF THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON . I MANAGED TO RESTART AND PULL OVER AND THEN AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS THE CAR STARTED AND STAYED ON . THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY THE CAR REPAIR SHOP THAT I WAS NEAR OUT OF FEAR OF DRIVING; BUT NO SOONER DID I GET THE CAR BACK THE SAME THING STARTED HAPPENING TO THE VEHICLE( WHILE IN MOTION THE CAR STALLS NO LIGHT NECESSARILY COME ON WITH EXCEPTION OF THE EPC LIGHT WHICH DOES NOT STAY ON. OPPOSE TO ME POURING MONEY INTO THE CAR I READ ABOUT RECALLS AND THIS SAME THING IS HAPPENING IN OTHER MODELS BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED AND I WANT IT INCLUDED THIS IS DANGEROUS AND INCONVENIENANT PLEASE HELP ME
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2018
IGNICIN WON'T WORK KEY STOCK
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2018
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. NO WAY TO TURN KEY, TO SHUT OFF ENGINE. VEHICLE STATIONARY RUNNING IN PARK.
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2018
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE (VEHICLE STATIONARY).