The Used Car Index

2013 Volkswagen Jetta problems

NHTSA lists 596 complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, 15 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 8 complaints mention an injury, with 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.

At a glance

Complaints
596
With crash
15
With fire
3
With injury (complaints)
8
Injuries
10
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
679,027
Investigations
4
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
1,740

Complaints per 100k sold: 363.874. Units sold: 163,793; sales year: 2013; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN19833.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15726.3%
ENGINE12621.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9916.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM386.4%
STEERING386.4%
AIR BAGS345.7%
SERVICE BRAKES305.0%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL213.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING172.9%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMHORN6
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3
AIR BAGSFRONTAL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE2
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
SUSPENSIONREAR2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMBODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMOTORCYCLE STARTER INTERLOCK SYSTEM- CLUTCH,NEUTRAL,SIDESTAND1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHERDELIVERY1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure28347.5%0.85
loss of control12921.6%0.80
electrical electronic9315.6%0.73
restraint or airbag305.0%0.82
visibility or lighting172.9%0.93
fluid or fuel leak122.0%0.76
unclear122.0%0.84
noise or comfort101.7%0.65
fire or overheating50.8%0.96
structural or corrosion50.8%0.74
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate36461.1%0.79
low19933.4%0.70
high274.5%0.84
none50.8%0.55
critical10.2%0.99

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 596 tagged complaints of 596 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

19V866000

Date: 2019-12-06. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid vehicles equipped with a DQ200 7-Speed DSG Automatic Transmission. Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure.

Consequence: A decrease in transmission oil pressure can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit and, as necessary, replace affected parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 34J6.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V679000

Date: 2019-09-25. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

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

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V615000

Date: 2019-08-22. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING.

Defect: 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 ignitio (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V483000

Date: 2015-08-04. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 contam (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V656000

Date: 2014-10-20. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: 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 impac (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V568000

Date: 2013-11-14. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Jetta Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 2012 through October 2013 and equipped with a DQ-200 direct-shift gearbox. Due to gearbox fluid additives, the control module within the gearbox may corrode. The deposits from this corrosion may cause an electrical short and result in a stall-like condition.

Consequence: This sudden loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gearbox oil with a non-corrosive version, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 34F6/4V.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

4 investigations; 1 open.

DP22005

Opened: 2023-01-27. Closed: 2023-08-07.

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: 22V063000.

EA18003

Opened: 2018-04-18. Closed: Not listed.

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan,

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

RQ17009

Opened: 2017-11-13. Closed: 2018-05-04.

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan,

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE15010

Opened: 2015-03-24. Closed: 2015-09-28.

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electric

Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: 15V483000.

Manufacturer communications

1,740 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT634
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM420
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING314
ENGINE177
POWER TRAIN146
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE77
UNKNOWN OR OTHER77
STRUCTURE68

11038146

Date: 2026-09-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Suggested fuel additive

11038143

Date: 2026-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

11036868

Date: 2026-08-06. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order

11036870

Date: 2026-08-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Differences between a leak and seepage

11035772

Date: 2026-07-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) a No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

11035762

Date: 2026-07-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

11034613

Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

11034614

Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

11034621

Date: 2026-06-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Inquiries

11034617

Date: 2026-06-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
JETTA517
JETTA HYBRID79

Same model, other years

All model years | All Volkswagen models

Other Volkswagen models, 2013

Sources

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