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, 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.
Power train, Oct 9, 2019
TRANSMISSION IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT 110,000 MILES. THE MECHATRONIC UNIT WAS REPLACED AT 55,000 MILES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONDITION THAT EXISTS IS EXACTLY SIMILAR TO WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL (34F6/4V) MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS MORE THAN THE KBB VALUE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO THINK THAT 55,000 MILES IS ACCEPTABLE FOR A TRANSMISSION TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. OUR VEHICLES MANUFACTURE DATE IS 9/26/12, MISSING THE CUT OFF TO QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL BY 5 DAYS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP IT WANTS TO LURCH FORWARD DUE TO THE CLUTCHES NOT TURNING THE ELECTRIC ENGINE ON. THE CAR WILL CYCLE ON AND OFF THE GAS ENGINE UNTIL YOU ARE BACK UNDER POWER. THE LURCHING CAN BE VIOLENT AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE FIRM PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 6, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE
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.
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. CAN'T TURN OFF ENGINE. ALSO, OFTEN DIFFICULT TO TURN KEY FROM 'OFF' TO 'ON' POSITION; KEY GETS STUCK IN 'OFF' POSITION.
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, WON'T TURN OFF UNLESS I PULL THE FUEL PUMP FUSE TO KILL THE ENGINE. IT'S THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENS AND UNREAL HOW MUCH WE GOTTA PAY TO REPLACE IT NOT MENTIONING THE REPROGRAM KEYS, I'VE READ THE SAME THING FROM SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MAYBE IT SHOULD CONSIDERED A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING ON AND OFF THE ENGINE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2019
THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN CAR IS IN TRAFFIC OR COMING TO STOP. ENGINE RPM WILL GO TO ZERO AND POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING IS LOST.
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT.
Power train, Sep 2, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE
Suspension, Aug 16, 2019
2013 JETTA WITH 21,994 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER. CAR HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FROM FRONT END ESPECIALLY ON LEFT HAND TURNS. INSPECTED AND FOUND FRONT OF CAR MUCH LOWER THAN USUAL AND BOTH FRONT SPRINGS BROKEN. A BROKEN SPRING CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND ROAD HAZARDS TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM BROKEN METAL PARTS ON ROADWAY. WILL HAVE PICTURES NEXT WEEK WHEN WE REPLACE SPRINGS AND STRUTS. CAR RIDES SO LOW THAT I CAN'T GET MY HYDRAULIC JACK UNDER IT AT FRONT JACK POINTS.
Power train, Aug 1, 2019
TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT BEARING FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 31, 2019
DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE ENGINE QUIT. THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE AUTO HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR STATION. REPAIR WAS JX1 POWER ELECTRONIC OUTPUT MODEL WHICH WAS CODED AND ADAPTED TO VEHICLE. :(PER BRUNSWICK AUTO MART DOCUMENT). IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS VEHICLE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. IF THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY DURING HIGH VOLUME OF TRAFFIC A SERIOUS ISSUE WOULD OCCUR.
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.
Engine, Jul 29, 2019
I HAVE A VW 2013 JETTA WITH APPROX 65,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WITH IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN PHOENIX, AZ. I AM DRIVING AT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY COME TO A STOP THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THERE WAS NO LIGHTS THAT TURNED ON ON THE DISPLAY PANE. LAST SATURDAY WHILE DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP MY WIFE AGAIN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS DESCRIBED, BUT THIS TIME, IT APPEARED ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE PANEL. I HAD TO PUT THE HAZARD LIGHTS, PUT IT ON PARK TO START THE VEHICLE. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE AT LARRY MILLERS FOR INSPECTION AND TOLD THEM WE HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE. STATIONARY IN PARK.
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.
Power train, Jul 1, 2019
DSG TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD 2-3 AND 3-4 WITH CLANKING YOU CAN FEEL. LURCHING FROM A STOP WHEN LETTING OF THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY AT AROUND 50% THROTTLE WHEN ACCELERATING.
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.