2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (6) · Power Train (4) · Air Bags (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-10 · campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Service bulletins (1,014)
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 1,014 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-07-13 · Power Train“i had lost power driving over the grapevine on highway and then recently i had difficulty putting vehicle in gear and it would make a loud noise. independent service center confirmed that the tcm was faulty. …”
2025-02-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my bosch cp4 fuel pump failed causing my engine to stall while turning at a very busy/fast intersection. this can occur at speed without any warning of sudden failure, putting everyone on the road at risk. fault code p0087 and p0191 were present, along with a flashing glow plug. following ea no.: ea11-003 i removed the fuel metering valve and …”
2024-09-19 · Electrical System · 85,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. the contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle turned off and restarted independently while the vehicle was still in motion, resulting in a momentary loss of control over the vehicle. the contact also stated that the battery was being drained quickly. the vehicle returned to normal fun…”
2024-09-19 · Unknown Or Other“it seems that my vehicle's clock spring has broken. there is already a warranty issue with this part. however, my local service center cannot get my vehicle in for 5 weeks. how is it acceptable for me to drive a vehicle for 5 weeks without a working airbag and horn?…”
2024-04-02 · Air Bags“the rear right passenger airbag sensor went faulty, was hoping volkswagen could replace it since it is a safety system.…”
2023-12-20 · Fuel System, Diesel · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen jetta. the contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle started losing motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond as needed. the contact continued driving to his destination however, the vehicle faile…”
2023-11-16 · Power Train“walked out to the garage where the vehicle had been shut off for a number of minutes to conduct another day’s personal investigation (can’t leave it outside when it rains unfortunately - moonroof leaks). this time: exterior lights on & found the interior lights in what looked to be an odd cycling. video can be provided, no pictures taken. the pri…”
2023-11-08 · Engine“the service act/recall for the glow plug was not reported to experian by volkswagen when it was repaired on 12-11-2014 and it was incorrectly installed by the vw dealership in tulsa who serviced it. it was not disclosed to me and we paid over $1400 this year for an "incorrect" glow-plug, same exact part number. please update the nhtsa id # 11553299…”
2023-11-02 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 136,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen jetta sportwagen. the contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate with the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store that used a handheld scanner and determined that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer due to engine fail…”
2023-10-03 · Vehicle Speed Control“twice since hitting 50k miles, my high pressure fuel pump has failed, resulting in complete and sudden loss of power midst driving. vw says that it is a warranty issue, but, has no real guidance or promise that it will be fixed. i do not feel comfortable driving the vehicle until we know why this issue is happening and how to fix. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.