2013 Volkswagen Jetta: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta: 4 recalls, 517 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #14V656000 · 2014 · 442,066 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V483000 · 2015 · 415,825 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Electrical, Steering Vehicle recall #19V615000 · 2019 · 679,027 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #19V679000 · 2019 · 113 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #14E007000 · 2014 · 50 vehicles
What's wrong: These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi a4, 2000-2006 Audi tt, 1998-2005 Volkswagen beetle, 1999-2006 golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt May develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Why it matters: A failure of the timing belt May cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014.
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #20E064000 · 2020 · 38 vehicles
What's wrong: The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder May be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
Why it matters: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (148): the most common themes are electrical failure (36), stalls / loses power (30), door / lock issues (29).
- Transmission & drivetrain (141): the most common themes are warning light on (41), hard / delayed shifting (38), stalls / loses power (32).
- Engine (112): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (45), warning light on (24).
- Other / unknown (98): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (17).
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has 517 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 37 Jetta model years for complaints (1.9× the average Jetta year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (65 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 56,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (500 complaints, 5 recalls), 2014 (387 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 39 | 32 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 25 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Owners have filed 517 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (148), transmission & drivetrain (141), engine (112).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AM-S6)), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.