2013 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. Part of Generation 6 (Mk6) — 2011–2018.

20122014
Complaints
736
per 10K Sold
44.9
US Sales
163,793
Crashes
22
Fires
4
Injuries
16
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1143 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:58,966 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:1
#2139 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:68,182 mi
Crash-related:1
#3112 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:55,686 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta.

Electrical Faults
143
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,966
Transmission / Drivetrain
139
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
68,182
Engine Problems
112
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
55,686
Steering Defects
37
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
60,268
Fuel System
33
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,360
Airbags
29
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
50,690
Brakes
22
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
69,861
Headlight/Taillight Failures
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
42,693
Unintended Acceleration
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
36,863
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
47,650
Suspension Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
63,779
Tire Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,775
Wipers & Visibility
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,031
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
70,250
Diesel Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,385
Electrical System:Horn
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
45,927
Sunroof/Moonroof
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Motorcycle Starter Interlock System- Clutch,Neutral,Sidestand
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Volkswagen Jetta

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,537,031 vehicles.

19V679000Uncategorized
~113 affected

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.

19V615000Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module · Steering:column Locking:anti-theft Device
~679,027 affected

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."

15V483000Air Bags:frontal
~415,825 affected

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.

14V656000Suspension:rear
~442,066 affected

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.

Other Volkswagen Jetta Years

2013 Volkswagen Jetta — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has 736 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 143 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (143 complaints, avg 58,966 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (139 complaints, avg 68,182 mi); Engine Problems (112 complaints, avg 55,686 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 58,696 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta include 22 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,537,031 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (electrical faults) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Jetta reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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