2013 Volkswagen Jetta Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The ABS dash board lights came on while driving at 70 miles an hour. At the time the Car mileage was 105,000 miles estimated.Owner complaint, filed 2023

The door locks will try to auto-lock once the vehicle has passed a set speed but fail, making an audible double-lock sound. The car will continue to try and auto-lock after each stop (stop sign, stop light, etc) and continue to fail. Happens intermittently.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

I bought a 2013 VW Jetta Hybrid in 2015 from a VW dealer with ~15,000 miles on it. Question #1: In December 2017, the power train system/transmission failed and my car lost power and I was unable to drive it. Now, in May 2024, the transmission is failing again and VW had stated that it needs to be replaced for a second time, and they…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Car one day decided to have issues. It wouldn't turn over. So we called a row truck to come take it and run diagnostics. The tow truck driver showed up and on his decision making as im not a professional like he is he said can it turn on I said no so he pursued with saying that he is going to Jumpstart the battery in his words he says…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2026

My car has 80,000 miles on it. The high pressure fuel pump sent metal shavings all through the entire system. Dealer quoted $9,000 to fix. This should have never happened. They said that the extended warranty from the diesel gate situation has expired and there’s nothing they can do. With the car only having 80,000 miles on it they…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Ignition key difficult to pull out from starter. Sometimes difficult to start car, but it can be wiggled in or out with some effort. Dangerous if it can get removed and engine continues working. Key can be reinserted to turn off. Sometimes difficult to start. Taken to local (Tucson AZ) dealership and told that there is no VW recall for…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Ignition cylinder. Key gets stuck in the ignition and is very difficult to remove after shutting the car off. Happens all the time. Sometimes when turning it on, its also difficult to turn the key. Received a letter in the mail talking about a reimbursement if replaced out of pocket, however very surprised that this has not been…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 30,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bags indicator warning alarm sounded as if there was a passenger seated in the seat. The passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 78,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving on a rainy day on the freeway where my breaks went out on me. I pressed down all of the way and the car wouldn’t stop. After I let go of the break I then pressed on the break again and they seemed to have locked on me. I ended up using my emergency breaks and was able to get off the freeway and luckily no one was hurt. Soon…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The car automatically locked its brakes without me even touching the brakes while I was going 60mph and almost lost control. My safety was put at risk because the car locked its brakes without me pushing the breaks, they would not disengage and was stuck in the middle of the road with the brakes not releasing and almost caused an…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have had my headlights replaced 3 times by a certified mechanic within the last year. While I was driving on the highway, my low beams and high beams on both sides went out. Extreme safety issue!Owner complaint, filed 2024

I had just gotten in my car with my wife to go to the grocery store. There was a small mosquito flying around the windshield on the driver's side. I extended my right arm, flicked my wrist, smashing the mosquito with the backs of my fingers. In squashing the mosquito with VERY little force I cracked my windshield significantly. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that there was a delay when the accelerator pedal was depressed and it would engage without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than three times and they indicated that this was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2015

I continue to experience the issue outlined in complaint number [xxx]parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c (b)(6)., unsafe accelerator lag gas pedal delay no response, from my vw jetta. I am trying to get a copy of the service…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 19 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (12).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the doors locked and unlocked automatically at every stop. The failure occurred without warning. The contact called schumacher volkswagen of west palm beach at 561-935-4490 (located at 3001 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment.…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 100,000 miles

Takata recall, the doors opening mechanism in cold weather won't allow you to close your door. This is a serious safety hazard. Upon researching this problem I found that this has been happening to volkswagen since at least the 2000s models. I had just went out of my house and gotten into my car when I notice that the door wouldn't open…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 69,400 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Coil springs break randomly in cold weather making car handle erratically and without warning. Vw has recalled many coil springs on other models but not the jetta hybrid which uses the same components. Very unsafe.Owner complaint, filed 2021

The left-front suspension partially collapsed while making a turn at low speed into a parking space. I drove short distance to my mechanic who told me: a) there were breaks at both ends and the center of the left-front spring and breaks at both ends of the right front spring, b) the center break in the right spring would have pierced the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 160,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 29,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Toyo 225/45r-17xl 94v ultra z-900 all season bw, dot 73h8 2650116. 2013 jetta tdi VIN [xxx] two of these tires failed on my vehicle. In both cases the sidewall developed a bulge on the outer sidewall and had to be replaced. The first incident occurred within 3400 miles. The next failure occurred within 22000 miles. These tires are rated…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 3,391 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Both front bucket seats ' backrests are tilted inwards. On the driver's seat this causes unbeknownst to the driver to tilt his neck slightly outwards to correct the inwards tilting and produces a long term neck pain effect of which he is unaware of its source . If you put a string around the back rest and slide it down from top to bottom…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 24,000 miles

Rear seat belts on both sides are frayed. Car has 54,000 miles. Back seats are rarely if ever used so it isn't from wear or misuse. We are original owners.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 54,000 miles