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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2016
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CANNOT TURN VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 12, 2016
HEAD LIGHTS BULBS ARE PREMATURELY BURNING OUT.. TEE BULBS WERE REPLACED AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BULBS TWICE AND MY DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS.
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.
Service brakes, Sep 1, 2016, crash
BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY
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.
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2016
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS YEAR I HAVE NEEDED TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS. THIS TIME EVEN THE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS NO WORKING HEADLIGHTS. JUST THE HIGH BEAMS, PARK LIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WORK, BUT NOT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT AND MY VEHICLE IS HIGHLY MAINTAINED AND IN GREAT CONDITION. YET, I KEEP SUFFERING WITH THE SAME HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S THE BULBS AND MY MECHANIC HAS EVEN TOLD ME IT'S A FAULT WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
Engine, Aug 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,600.
Air bags, Jul 24, 2016
MY WIFE MUST SIT ON AN EXTRA SEAT CUSHION IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. BUT WHEN SHE DOES THE AIR BAGS DEACTIVATE. SO AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY AROUND HER SEAT. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO SWITCH THE AIR BAGS ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO SWITCH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS ON SO THEY WILL DEPLOY IF THERE IS IMPACT.
Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jul 20, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WIND, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PLASTIC PROTECTOR FELL OFF. THE AC UNIT NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT COSTING 1600 AND NOW THE IDEAL WHILE TURNING ON CAR IS VERY HIGH. SOUND ALMOST LIKE IT DID WHEN I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL RECALL IN THE LAST YEARS. DOORS ARE SQUEAK WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. AND WHILE DRIVING A NOISE THAT SOUND LIKE CHAINS RATTLES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WHICH IS A VERY IRRITATING SOUND.
Steering, Jul 16, 2016
KEY STICKS IN IGNITION LOCK AND UNABLE TO REMOVE. WENT TO DEALER AND TOLD IT HAPPENS, NO RECALL, AND WILL COST OVER $400.00 TO FIX.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT CAUSED THE HORN SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 7, 2016
I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 3/2013, BY 5/2016 THE AC COMPRESSOR FAILED AND I HAD TO PAY $1,000 TO REPLACE, 2 WEEKS LATER THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE I HAD MY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT AND WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE VW REFUSES TO REPAIR BECAUSE A THEY SAY IT'S NOT A DEFAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER SERVICE STATES IT SHOULD BE APPROVED AND COVERED FOR FULL REPAIR. NOW, I HAVE A $4,000 BILL I CAN'T PAY, A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE AND A CAR PAYMENT FOR A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE. I NEED HELP WITH THIS DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.
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.
Engine, Jun 23, 2016
FAULTY ENGINE COIL
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
Power train, Jun 18, 2016
WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT'LL FEEL LIKE IT'S IN NUETRAL. DIAGNOSTIC TEST CAN'T PICK IT UP SO WHAT CAN WE DO AS CONSUMERS? KEEP COMPLAINING NOBODY IS HEARING US. DAMAGE!!
Steering, Jun 16, 2016
I AM HAVING TROUBLE GETTING MY KEY TO TURN OFF AGAIN. THE CAR WILL TURN ON WITH EASE BUT WHEN I PARK AND GO TO TAKE THE KEY OUT IT'S STUCK IN THE "ON" POSITION AND I HAVE A HARD TIME TURNING OFF TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAR WAS UNDER THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AND A LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH JANUARY 2015. I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUE HOWEVER THE CAR IS OUT OF BOTH THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY PERIOD AND ALSO THE 1YR. WARRANTY FOR THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH, AND BY ONLY 6 MONTHS I MIGHT ADD.
Steering, Jun 13, 2016
STEERLOCK- I DROVE MY CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES ON 6/11/2016 TO THE STORE, THEN RETURNED HOME. AT THE STORE THE KEY HAD WORKED FINE. WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK THE KEY TO MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THE KEY REFUSED TO TURN OFF. I CALLED THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGON DEALERSHIP IN MARION, IL TO SEE IF I COULD GET SOME POSSIBLE FIXES, THE SERVICE TECHS WERE GONE FOR THE DAY SINCE IT WAS A SATURDAY. THE SALESMAN SAID HE WOULD CONTACT A TECHNICIAN TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANY FIXES FOR ME. HE CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME TO TRY HOLDING THE KEY FORWARD THEN LETTING IT SNAP BACK. I TRIED THIS A FEW TIMES AND IT DIDN'T WORK, SO I TOLD THEM I WOULD DROP THE CAR OFF. ONCE I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE TECHNICIAN HAD CAME IN AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY TRICK I WAS TOLD ABOUT TO WORK. I LEFT THE CAR WITH THEM AND THEY WERE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS ON MONDAY 6/13/2016. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME AND SAID IT WAS A ISSUE WITH THE STEERLOCK. HE ALSO SAID THEY KEPT THE PART IN STOCK BECAUSE THIS TYPE OF THING HAPPENS. I TOLD THEM TO GO AHEAD AND FIX IT. I HAVE NOW PICKED UP MY CAR AND IT TURNS ON AND OFF PROPERLY.
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2016
IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY CAN NOT TURN OFF ENGINE( THREE TIMES THE WEEKEND OF 6 11 2016)
Power train, May 27, 2016
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WITH DSG TRANSMISSION IN NORMAL "DRIVE" (D) MODE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO WHAT FEELS LIKE NEUTRAL WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER AND NO CLEAR WAY OF MAKING THE CAR DRIVEABLE AGAIN. CAR HAS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH NO POWER AVAILABLE FOR TRANSMISSION TO RETURN TO WORKING CONDITION. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY IN VARYING DRIVING CONDITIONS SUCH AS WHILE CRUISING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL COMMERCIAL STREET SPEEDS. TOOK IT TO DEALER BUT ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED.
Electrical system, May 16, 2016
KEY GETS STUCK AT TIMES AND CANNOT TURN THE CAR OFF. THE STEERLOCK KEEPS THE KEY FROM OPERATING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THE MOTOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS WAS REPAIRED ON 5/16/2016 WITH PART #5C6-905-841