2013 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 1, 2026 · 517 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Jetta years
Far more complaints than other years 8th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 517 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. That ranks 8th out of 32 Jetta model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (148 complaints, 29%), typically at around 55,000 miles. Complaints mention 12 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Volkswagen Jetta
A 2025 Volkswagen Jetta SEL photographed in Flushing, Queens , New York, USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2013 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System148 · ~55,000 mi
Power Train141 · ~67,000 mi
Engine112 · ~54,000 mi
Unknown or Other98 · ~68,500 mi
Steering37 · ~55,950 mi
Fuel/propulsion System34 · ~62,000 mi
Air Bags31 · ~45,000 mi
Service Brakes22 · ~54,600 mi
Exterior Lighting17 · ~42,294 mi
Vehicle Speed Control16 · ~24,585 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems14829%55,000“turn off” (20%)$700
Power Train problems14127%67,000“mechatronic unit” (11%)$9,250
Engine problems11222%54,000“timing chain” (7%)$7,350
Unknown or Other9819%68,500——
Steering377%55,950——
Fuel/propulsion System347%62,000——
Air Bags316%45,000——
Service Brakes224%54,600——
Exterior Lighting173%42,294——
Vehicle Speed Control163%24,585——
Structure153%53,500——
Suspension143%38,300——
Tires92%22,073——
Visibility/wiper92%80,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)71%71,000——
Fuel System, Diesel71%19,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling41%55,800——
Visibility41%32,000——
Latches/locks/linkages31%100,000——
Wheels31%33,865——
Fuel System, Other20%12,250——
Seat Belts20%54,000——
Seats20%12,500——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility10%4,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline10%100——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2018, with 65 complaints
2012: 2201222013: 20202014: 392014392015: 40402016: 552016552017: 57572018: 652018652019: 49492020: 622020622021: 35352022: 342022342023: 24242024: 212024212025: 992026: 520265

n = 517 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Unknown or otherSep 25, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V679000 · 113 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module; steering:column locking:anti-theft deviceAug 22, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V615000 · 679,027 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontalAug 4, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Suspension:rearOct 20, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V656000 · 442,066 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Air Bag Clockspring Failure (EA18003) — opened Apr 18, 2018, still open.
  • Air Bag Clockspring Failure (RQ17009) — opened Nov 13, 2017, closed May 4, 2018.
  • Air Bag Clockspring Failure (PE15010) — opened Mar 24, 2015, closed Sep 28, 2015, led to recall 15V483000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Mechatronics reprogram for prior recall does not fix failure longterm. The accumulator recall was fixed with original OEM accumulator which prolongs the need for Mechatronics rebuild. The OEM valve body housing is weak and cracks as well. The windshield spray motor just replaced. Appears it is a…

Power Train · received Oct 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11768392

Airbags did not deploy..as per police report

Air Bags · received Aug 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755733

Driving vehicle on highway, vehicle lost engine power, no acceleration possible. Attempt to restart vehicle resulted in no start. Subsequent evaluation of fault revealed high pressure fuel pump failure.

Fuel/propulsion System · received May 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11735317

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle decelerated and nearly caused a crash on the freeway. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, restarted, and the vehicle…

Electrical System · received Feb 27, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11720919

Tire size 205/50R17 Tire belt broke without warning and caused a large bubble in the side of my tire. Tire was out of balance and the cars stability was immediately reduced while on the highway. Had to be replaced with only 8,000 miles on it.

Tires · received Feb 5, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11715859

Other Volkswagen Jetta years

← 2012 Jetta · 2014 Jetta →

See all Volkswagen Jetta problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners most often report electrical system, power train, engine problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 148 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Jetta model years, the 2013 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.