2013 Volkswagen Jetta problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (120) · Electrical System (63) · Engine (57)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Jetta model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
346 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2020-09-23 · campaign 20E064000 · 38 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Unknown Or Other 2019-09-25 · campaign 19V679000 · 113 vehicles
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 internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable
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 2019-08-22 · campaign 19V615000 · 679,027 vehicles
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 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:frontal 2015-08-04 · campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles
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 contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air
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:rear 2014-10-20 · campaign 14V656000 · 442,066 vehicles
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 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2014-03-07 · campaign 14E007000 · 50 vehicles
Defect: 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, 1
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,535)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Engine 2026-07-09 · V1718062017813_24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil consumption measurement and electronic oil consumption measurement
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,535 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-16 · Vehicle Speed Control“my ignition just stopped working i believe that there was a recall on the ignition but i'm just not sure…”
2026-10-01 · Visibility/Wiper“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 larger issue, many have issues with. …”
2026-08-09 · Structure:body · 💥 crash“airbags did not deploy..as per police report…”
2026-05-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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. …”
2026-02-27 · Steering · 152,000 mi“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 operated as intended. the contact stated that the veh…”
2026-02-05 · Tires:tread/Belt“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. …”
2025-12-08 · Unknown Or Other“i am submitting this complaint regarding safety recall 34j6, which is listed as incomplete for my 2013 volkswagen jetta hybrid. i brought my vehicle to volkswagen of murfreesboro, tennessee to have this recall performed. the dealership refused to complete the repair, claiming it was “too old” — a statement that is factually and legally incorrect. …”
2025-12-02 · Power Train“while driving the vehicle at about 20mph about a week ago, the check hybrid light began flashing. after stopping and restarting the vehicle, the check engine light came on. the vehicle has been diagnosed at a volkswagen dealership service center as leaking hydraulic fluid from the transmission mechatronics control unit and needing a new transmiss…”
2025-10-07 · Air Bags“i discovered that my 2013 volkswagen jetta has a completely nonfunctional airbag system. on 8/23/23- airbag warning light illuminated and has remained on. in 08/2025- midas staff informed me the light may indicate an airbag defect and referred me to volkswagen. on 09/24/2025- volkswagen dealer inspection documented both front crash sensors were unp…”
2025-09-24 · Engine“hairline crack developed in the accumulator housing of the transmission (mechatronic unit), leaking and leading to insufficient transmission oil pressure. there is loss of power to the wheels. was never notified and on last inspection they told me it was my fault. recall code 34j6. the only thing the service department did was update the software, …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.