2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Owner Complaints

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON POWER AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS EXACT THING HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SET FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IT RESTARTED AND RAN FINE. WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LUCKILY IT WAS NOT BUSY. ON JULY 31 THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THIS TIME THE CAR WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION COMING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WERE ON. ONCE WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY PROCEEDED TO INFORM ME THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM MINUS THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO METAL SHAVINGS BEING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS ISSUE WAS THAT NONE OF MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.

8/15/2016

MY WIFE AND HER MOTHER WERE OUT SHOPPING IN SAN DIEGO. THEY SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND SUBSEQUENT STALL OF OUR 2013 JETTA TDI SPORTWAGON. THIS RESULTED IN OUR VEHICLE BLOCKING A TWO LANE BUSY BOULEVARD. THIS STREET IS A NO STOPPING ANYTIME ROADWAY CLEARLY MARKED WITH SIGNS. MY WIFE CHRISTINE, PULLED TO THE FAR RIGHT OF THE SHOULDER AS POSSIBLE. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE FOR MY WIFE AND MOTHER IN LAW. THE VW WAS TOTALLY DEAD AND REQUIRED TOWING TO A VW DEALER REPAIR FACILITY. THE SERVICE REP AT VW DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE DETAILS OF THE MALFUNCTION WERE EXPLAINED. APPARENTLY, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN AND THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED. I AM SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM IS EXTENSIVE WITH THE TDI ENGINES FROM VOLKSWAGEN. HOW COULD I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATION?

8/31/2016

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE TO WORK IT STARTED TO DECELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY, LOSE POWER, AND STUMBLE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW PLUG LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT A REDUCED HIGHWAY SPEED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE TO A PARK AND RIDE TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE CAR WAS STUMBLING OCCASIONALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND STARTING TO DIE OUT, BUT NOT STALLING. *TR

12/13/2016

ENGINE WON'T TURN OFF. CAR IS IN PARK, I TRY TURNING THE ENGINE OFF TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, KEY COMES OUT BUT THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING.

1/15/2019

ENGINE WON'T TURN OFF. CAR IS IN PARK, I TRY TURNING THE ENGINE OFF TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, KEY COMES OUT BUT THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING.

1/15/2019

ON A COLD MORNING, I STARTED MY CAR BY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THEN LOCKED THE DOORS MANUALLY FROM THE EXTERIOR WITH ANOTHER KEY, IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE CAR TO WARM UP AND DEFROST BEFORE THE COMMUTE TO WORK. WHEN I RETURNED 10 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR WAS EMITTING GRAY SMOKE FROM THE HOOD, AND UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH GRAY SMOKE AS WELL. I REACHED IN AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THEN LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN TO ALLOW THE SMOKE TO AIR OUT. ONCE THE SMOKE CLEARED, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT THE DASH NEAR THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD COMPLETELY MELTED, THE CEILING HAD BURNED, THE WINDSHIELD HAD SHATTERED, AND SEVERAL OTHER DASHBOARD COMPONENTS WERE MELTED AND/OR MISSING. I NEVER WITNESSED FLAME, AND I CONTACTED 911 IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE POLICE AND/OR FIRE DISPATCHED TO MY HOME TO ENSURE THE SITUATION WAS RESOLVED. A SINGLE OFFICER ARRIVED AND ADVISED THAT WITH NO INDICATION OF CRIMINALITY, I NEED ONLY CONTACT MY INSURANCE AGENT, WHICH I DID.

11/13/2019

clock spring / clock part: 5k0953569al Air Bag light is on... steering click.... dealer says parts are nowhere to be found as there are over 5000 back orders right now.. I am not a rich person... what do we do? I am afraid to drive it.

3/24/2022

This is on recall and on backorder. They are calling it an extended warranty? What is going on as I drive this car with no clock spring and a defective airbag? I was told by the dealer that the part is ordered and it is a recall. I paid for the diagnosis and this was supposed to be covered later by a VW dealer, but I had no choice and needed to find out. My clock spring is bad and my air bag light remains on.

7/9/2022

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.

9/19/2016

WARM OR COLD ENGINE. LIGHT THROTTLE USE SIMILAR TO IN TOWN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS ANY GEAR (IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AROUND 10-40 MPH STEADY SPEED AND WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM ACCELERATION TO COAST TO ACCELERATION, AND OCCASIONALLY UNDER HARD ACCELERATION CAR SEEMS TO "HICCUP" OR LOSE POWER AND GO THROUGH A THROTTLE CUT AND FOLLOW ON "CONFUSED" STATE (PULSING ON AND OFF THE THROTTLE) REQUIRING THE OPERATOR TO LET OFF THE THROTTLE UNTIL IT STOPS BEING "CONFUSED". COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT DUE TO INABILITY TO ACCELERATE IF NEEDED OR UNEXPECTED "HICCUP" CAUSING SOMEONE WHO IS BEING TAILGATED TO BE REAR ENDED. THROUGH CHECKING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE FORUMS I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM USERS WITH RESPONSES INDICATING OWNERS OF THIS MODEL TDI MOTOR MAY BE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME SYMPTOMS AND WHEN TAKEN TO VW (ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS) CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 1 DAY TO 1 MONTH FOR THEM TO COME BACK WITH "WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS". SOFTWARE FIXES WHEN DONE DO NOT SEEM TO FIX THE ISSUE COMPLETELY (ACORDING TO FORUMS) NOR DOES "PURGING" SOOT BY DOING HIGH RPM (ABOVE 4000RPM) APPEAR TO FIX THE ISSUE PERMANENTLY WITH THE ISSUE COMING BACK AFTERWARDS. THROUGH COMMUTING IN MY VEHICLE ~1500 MILES PER MONTH I EXPERIENCE THE PULSING EVERY DAY AT ALL SPEEDS FROM 10-40 MPH WITH LOW/STEADY THROTTLE INPUT WHEN MAINTAINING A STEADY SPEED. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THE "CONFUSED" SYMPTOM TODAY AFTER AN EMERGENCY STOP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS NECESSITATING A HARD ACCELERATION AFTERWARDS WHICH I COULD NOT COMPLETE DUE TO THE ENGINE CUTTING AND ACTING "CONFUSED" AROUND 3000 RPMS IN 3RD GEAR. SYMPTOMS DO NOT APPEAR TO INCAPACITATE OR IMMOBILIZE THE CAR AND APPEAR TO BE MORE OF AN "ANNOYANCE" BUT COULD EFFECT SAFETY AND LONG TERM RELIABILITY WITH THE CONSTANT LOADING AND UNLOADING MOTION OF PARTS IN THE DRIVE LINE. NO INDICATOR OR ALARM LIGHTS LIT. GOOGLE TDI HICCUP AND 2013 TDI HICCUP FOR FORUMS

11/5/2019

DSG TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT112,00 MILES

1/18/2017

MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES AND THERE IS A VERY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WHEN IDLING, BOTH WHEN PARKED OR IN DRIVE. THIS SEEMS PREMATURE FOR THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR

6/9/2020

THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN.

1/16/2020

HEARD STRANGE NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. FOUND PASSENGER REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. UPON FURTHER REVIEW THE SHOP ALSO FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SPRING WAS BROKEN. MINIMAL CORROSION WAS PRESENT ON THE COILS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS ~50,000 MILES.

9/1/2020

DEAR SIRS; THE WASHINGTON STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ADVISED THAT I CONTACT YOU IN REGARDS TO VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA 2.0-LITER CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT MY CLAIM MADE DURING THE RECALL WAS ACCEPTED THEN LATER DENIED. I NOW HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO HAVE THE CAR MODIFIED TO CONFORM WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS THE REST OF THE CAR INDUSTRY MUST ABIDE BY. ALSO, I HAD GONE THROUGH THE TROUBLE OF BUYING ANOTHER CAR, WHICH I NEEDED FOR WORK, IN ANTICIPATION THAT VOLKSWAGEN WOULD HONOR THE CONTRACT THEY MADE WITH ME. I BELIEVE THEIR ULTIMATE DENIAL OF MY CLAIM WAS INTENTIONAL DECEPTION BY VOLKSWAGEN GROUP AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON THE CLAIMS COMMITTEE TO AVOID PAYING ME THE $20,900 THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO PAY AND WERE IN FACT REQUIRED TO PAY BY LAW, UNDER THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. I AM MOST LIKELY NOT THE ONLY CITIZEN WHO WAS DAMAGED BY VOLKSWAGEN'S DECEPTION AND FRAUD IN CREATING A FALSE AND MISLEADING 'DEADLINE' FOR THIS SETTLEMENT'A SETTLEMENT WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO REPAY CONSUMERS WHO WERE AFFECTED BY VOLKSWAGEN'S ORIGINAL DECEPTION AND FRAUD REGARDING THE EMISSIONS ON THE CARS THEY SOLD TO US. RESPECTFULLY YOURS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

3/4/2020

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 failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; however, the results had not been shared with the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and became aware of a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. The contact related the failure to the high-pressure fuel pump. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

12/20/2023

clock spring / clock part: 5k0953569al Air Bag light is on... steering click.... dealer says parts are nowhere to be found as there are over 5000 back orders right now.. I am not a rich person... what do we do? I am afraid to drive it.

3/24/2022

While about to drive my vehicle to work which had been parked in my driveway for about 48 since the last drive made a horrible grinding noise in both drive and reverse moving a few feet. I immediately put the vehicle in park to find the rear driver side suspension collapsed and the tire was pressed against the wheel well. Additionally unidentified parts from either the brake system or wheel well had abraded off. The car was jacked up in place and it was immediately apparent that the spring had broken and had shattered in a section. The spring was properly installed as a replacement for another spring failure by a ASE mechanic using genuine OEM parts from a VW dealer. While it is unknown at this time how much additional damage this faulty failed part caused, it is evident that had the car been driven at any speed when this happened, loss of control would be guaranteed and possibly death. I am retaining the failed part as evidence and plan on contacting an independent investigator or attorney as this could have certainly been fatal and is the most heinous example of metallurgical malpractice.

6/2/2022

FRONT SUNROOF GLASS (THE PORTION THAT MOVES WHEN THE GLASS IS OPENED) SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ~70MPH ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY IN MINIMAL TRAFFIC; CLEAR WEATHER, ROUGHLY 60 DEGREES F. I DID NOT PASS UNDER ANY OVERPASSES IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THIS EVENT. I NORMALLY LEAVE THE SUN SHADE BACK AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY CRACKS. AS I WAS DRIVING, I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY GLASS STARTED FALLING ON ME AND THROUGHOUT THE CABIN. I SLOWED AND EXITED THE INTERSTATE, PULLED INTO A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK PICTURES AND CALLED MY INSURANCE. THE REMAINING GLASS APPEARS TO BE BOWED UPWARDS.

4/25/2016

THE SUN ROOF DRAIN TUBES SHRINK AND SEPARATE CAUSING A WATER LEAK INSIDE OF THE CAR AND CONTINUING DOWN THE "A" PILLAR. THERE ARE AIR BAGS LOCATED IN THE "A" PILLAR, AND THIS WATER MIGRATION, WILL OVER TIME, HAVE AN AFFECT ON THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAGS. I KNOW OF THREE FRIENDS WITH JETTA SPORTWAGENS WITHIN THIS BODY STYLE, MKVI, THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN HAS DENIED FIXING THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST, THEY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS GOING TO BE A SAFETY, AND LIABILITY ISSUE, IT MAY ALREADY BE ONE, AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM, FIXED AT THEIR COST. TO CONTINUE TO USE THE SAME DRAIN TUBES, WHICH SHRINK AND LEAK AFTER ONLY TWO YEARS IS NEGLIGENCE. I HOPE THAT SOMEONE ISN'T INJURED BY THIS WHEN WET OR ROTTEN AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED.

6/6/2016

BRAKE SOMETIMES NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON LOW SPEED LESS THAN 20 M/H. I FEEL THE FRONT BRAKE IS NOT WORKING SOMETIMES. I VISIT THE CAR REPAIR CENTER AND THEY SAID IT IS FINE. BUT I READ THE SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET FORUM. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKE OIL OR MASTER CYLINDER OR BRAKE ROTOR AND DISK BUT THEY JUST SPENT MONEY AND NOTHING IMPROVED. I NEED YOUR HELP.

3/16/2021

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagen. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, it was discovered that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel tank coupler located between the fuel tank and exhaust pipe had failed to cause the fuel tank to leak fuel. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.

6/29/2021

While about to drive my vehicle to work which had been parked in my driveway for about 48 since the last drive made a horrible grinding noise in both drive and reverse moving a few feet. I immediately put the vehicle in park to find the rear driver side suspension collapsed and the tire was pressed against the wheel well. Additionally unidentified parts from either the brake system or wheel well had abraded off. The car was jacked up in place and it was immediately apparent that the spring had broken and had shattered in a section. The spring was properly installed as a replacement for another spring failure by a ASE mechanic using genuine OEM parts from a VW dealer. While it is unknown at this time how much additional damage this faulty failed part caused, it is evident that had the car been driven at any speed when this happened, loss of control would be guaranteed and possibly death. I am retaining the failed part as evidence and plan on contacting an independent investigator or attorney as this could have certainly been fatal and is the most heinous example of metallurgical malpractice.

6/2/2022

According to the dealership my car has a broken clock spring switch in the steering wheel. This part is covered under an warranty extension issued in 2018. Without this switch all of the controls located in the steering wheel are inoperative. I have no driver side airbag and no horn, both of which are safety issues. The dealership stated that the parts to fix this problem are on perpetual backorder. The dealership stated they had another car with the same problem that has had parts on backorder for over a year. That seems like a long time to have parts on backorder to fix problems that affect safety. Since the warranty extension was issued back in 2018 you would think that would have parts to fix this problem by now.

8/29/2022

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.

10/3/2023

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 failure. The contact stated that the engine failure was intermittent at first but had become recurring and at various speeds. Additionally, the vehicle started to have electrical issues and a failure with the catalytic converter. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that cylinder #1 glow plug, and several relays needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired; however, the check engine warning light returned. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failures were related to Service Campaign Numbers: 24CV and 23U3 Emissions Modifications (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was advised that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

11/2/2023

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 price for honesty? Dealers: $500. I can live with that, someone should at some point, do the right thing by others & disclose its problems. The car is a LEMON & by all other standards-has no reason to be. I’m done filing reports, 3 in 30 days & I’m done driving the vehicle after 101 days of personal research. Behind the wheel of this VIN which additionally is covered till 2028 & has also failed previously (Nov ‘22 clock spring) is too much of a safety concern; & the cost to repair exceeds the worth of the car. Value in a sense is relative, and I don’t have much to say about that subject. Additional findings and details can be provided. Also, toxins & emissions are a concern.

11/16/2023