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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20264 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has 733 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and power train.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

4.3/ 10

Based on 733 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

142 19.4%

POWER TRAIN

139 19%

ENGINE

112 15.3%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

98 13.4%

STEERING

36 4.9%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 19.4% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 40 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has 733 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 19% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (142), POWER TRAIN (139), ENGINE (112).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 410 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2014 Jetta complaints2012 Jetta complaints2011 Jetta complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 34 of 34 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

44 Reports18% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC HAS A DELAY OF 1-2 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET ON/OFF A HIGHWAY AND THAT DELAY HAPPENS, THE TRAFFIC HAS TO SLOW TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME AS BY THE TIME IT HAPPENS THEN SURGES, IT IS TOO LATE TO STOP. MY SPEED NEEDLE WAS SO INACCURATE AND BOUNCED SO MUCH I GOT A SPEEDING TICKET. IT WAS 14 MPH OFF. THEY REPLACED THE CLUSTER, BUT NOW BOTH THE TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER BOUNCE ENOUGH TO NOT BE SURE YOUR SPEED. ELECTRONIC FAN STAYED ON FOR THE ENTIRE 90 MINUTES I WAS IN A COFFEE SHOP AFTER DRIVING ONLY 5 MILES AND HAD BEEN RUNNING AC. AC WHEN NOT ON FULL FAN WILL HAVE PERIODS OF HOT AND HUMID LIKE THE SYSTEM TEMPORARILY SHUTS DOWN, AND OF COURSE, THE CAR HOPS AND SURGES AT SLOW SPEEDS IN ADDITION AS YOU ARE DECELERATING WITH THE FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, IT WILL JERK YOU DOWN AS IT SHIFTS DOWN. *TR

8/25/2013

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND RE-PROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AFTER CONFERRING WITH VW. *TR

3/25/2014

42 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

42 Reports17% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

BASED UPON MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OTHER OWNERS COMMENTS FOUND ON THE THE WEB, THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH VARIOUS EXHAUST LEAKS ON LATE MODEL JETTA TDI'S WHICH ALLOWS DANGEROUS DIESEL SULFUR FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN. *TR

4/17/2013

JETTA HYBRID. LOSS OF TRACTION WHILE ASCENDING STEEP DRIVEWAY. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE EVEN WITH ANOTHER HYBRID. *TR

5/23/2013

40 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

32 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WE JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTS WAGON WITH DIESEL TDI ENGINE AND DSG TRANSMISSION. DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 110 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE MECHATRONIC UNIT HAS FAILED. THE SYMPTOM OF THE FAILURE WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITH NO NOTICE AND THE CAR HAD SEVERALLY REDUCED POWER AVAILABLE (LESS THAN 10 MPH). RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET SHOWS THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS BEFORE. IT SEEMS VERY SERIOUS TO ME TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS FAIL ON A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. *TR

10/18/2012

DSG TRANSMISSION ISSUES: WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC, I COASTED UP TO THE LIGHT WHEN IT WAS MY TURN, THEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR HAD NO POWER. IT CROSSED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MPH. IT TOOK 5 TO 10 SECONDS FOR THE POWER TO RETURN. IT FELT LIKE IF YOU ARE DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND HAVE THE CAR IN 4TH OR 5TH GEAR WHEN TRYING TO START MOVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT QUITE A FEW INTERSECTIONS. ALSO IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING THEN HAD TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR DUE TO A VEHICLE SLOWING IN FRONT OF ME, I RE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AND THERE WAS NO POWER FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS. *TR

12/22/2012

30 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

22 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

HORN HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT, ENTIRE HORN NEEDS REPLACING.

7/15/2015

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THROUGH HIGHER ELEVATIONS NORTHBOUND ON HWY 101 NORTH OF UKIAH, CA, I HEARD A LOUD BANG. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER GLASS STARTED RAINING OUT OF THE SUNROOF VISOR VENTS (THANKFULLY IT WAS CLOSED). I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 1/4 MILE OR SO UNTIL THERE WAS A SAFE PLACE TO TURN OFF. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THERE WAS ONE LARGE HOLE IN THE GLASS, SHATTER FRACTURES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PANE, AND THE EDGES OF THE GLASS WERE ANGLED UP INDICATING AN OUTWARD EXPLOSION OF THE GLASS. BOTH MY PASSENGER AND I WERE COVERED IN BITS OF GLASS AND IT WAS JUST EVERYWHERE. WE CLEANED UP WHAT WE COULD AND PROCEEDED HOME FOR THE REMAINING 10 HOURS UNTIL I COULD DROP IT OFF AT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY.

8/7/2015

20 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

11 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION AND SUBSEQUENTLY STALLED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL BETWEEN SOME CONSTRUCTION CONES BEFORE IT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. UPON TOWING TO A DEALER, I WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. VW WARRANTY WILL COVER ALL DAMAGE, BUT IT IS CONSIDERABLE. ALL FUEL INJECTORS, PUMPS, LINES ETC WILL BE REPLACED. I SOON LEARNED FROM FRIENDS THAT THIS HAPPENED TO THEIR TDI MODEL VEHICLES AS WELL. ALL INFORMATION THAT I FIND DATES TO 2011, BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. I AM VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHERE I FILL UP AND STILL EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE. IN SPITE OF BEING ASSURED BY THE VW MECHANIC THAT MY CAR WILL BE "PERFECT," I FEEL THAT I NEED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT. *TT

8/28/2013

CAR IS A DIESEL/TDI. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) AND ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SAME CAR (ONCE AGAIN IN MAY OF 2014 - EXACT SAME PROBLEM). *JS

5/19/2014

9 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS AS I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY LOW BEAM LIGHT SHORT OUT AT NIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE WHILE DRIVING. I DO NOTICE A BLINKING DASH LIGHT PRIOR TO THE HEAD LAMPS GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS. VW OF AMERICA SAY IT NOT A ISSUE. WILL NOT PAY FOR THE$ 80.00 FOR REPAIR. IT IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE REPAIR IT IS A SEVERE SAFELY ISSUE . I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK GOING 30 MPH ON A HIGHWAY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY NO WHERE TO STOP JUST WITH DAYTIME LIGHTS ON. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND VW IS SAYING IT NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ITS NOT A REPAIR THAT THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVER 40 YEARS. I HAD ONLY HAD TO REPLACE HEADLAMPS MAYBE 4 TIMES IN MY LIFE. BY THE WAY THE LIGHTS ARE MANUFACTURED BY PHILLIPS LIGHTS IN GERMANY. MIGHT NEED TO REVISIT MY CAR CHOICES. *TR

3/18/2014

BOTH OF MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. MY CAR WAS RUNNING AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.. THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TURN OFF THE CAR. IF THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN CLOSED OR THE CAR REQUIRED GAS OR I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN. I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY RECOURSE BUT TO RUN THE CAR UNTIL IT CUT OFF BUT STILL THE KEYS WOULD BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. BOTH INCIDENT ARE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS..THE IGNITION LOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED AND BOTH LIGHTS HAS TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 42, 000.. THIS IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THESE ARE BOTH SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. VW CUSTOMER CARE REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT AND COST WAS OUT OF POCKET. *TR

6/3/2014

8 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WENT THROUGH SOME WATER (NOT MUCH) ANDTHEN WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT I STOPPED THE CAR. AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE OF BEING STOPPED THE CAR STALLED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE BATTERY IS NEW AND I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN DECEMBER 2013 AND IT IS A YEAR MODEL 2013. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL NOW. I WENT TO TURN A CORNER AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, CAR STALLED, AND STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS ISSUE IS, BUT THE CAR IS ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD (IF EVEN THAT). VERY FRUSTRATING. *TR

6/17/2014

AS THE DRIVER WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN AND CONTINUED GOING MOSTLY STRAIGHT FORWARD. ALL STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. THE CAR SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO A REST WITH ONE TIRE FACING FORWARD AND ONE FACING TO THE SIDE. THE STEERING RACK AND PINION METAL BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

1/7/2015

8 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHEN DRIVING MY JETTA IN "S" (SPORT SELECTION ON THE TRANSMISSION) ON A SURFACE STREET I CAME TO A RED LIGHT. I STARTED BRAKING AND THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY AND UNRESPONSIVE. I TRIED PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MORE FORCE BUT WAS NOT GETTING MUCH BRAKING RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE TOOK A VERY LONG DISTANCE TO RESPOND COMPARED TO ITS RESPONSE TIME WHEN IN "D" (DRIVE SELECTION ON THE TRANSMISSION). LUCKY I AM AN EARLY BARKER AND THERE WAS NOT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SO THE VEHICLE ONLY WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE IT STOPPED. WHEN FINALLY AT A STOP I KEPT STEADY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SINKING TOWARDS THE FLOOR BOARD. IT FELT LIKE IT DOES WHEN YOU ARE BLEEDING AIR OUT OF THE LINES. WHILE AT THE STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK FURTHER, AT FIRST SLOWLY, AND THEN WITH ONE FINAL QUICK MOVEMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE CAR. THE ONLY TIME I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BRAKE ACTIVITY IS WITH OLDER CARS WHEN ONE IS PERFORMING THE TASK OF BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF I HAD BEEN TAPPED FROM BEHIND THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN SENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. DURING THIS INCIDENT I NOTICED THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS RUNNING AT 900 RPM EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS AT A "COMPLETE", OR BETTER STATED, THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO ADDITIONAL BRAKING PRESSURE AVAILABLE. I FEEL VERY UNSURE AND UNSAFE WHEN I GO TO USE MY BRAKES AND HAVE TO ALLOW SEVERAL EXTRA CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME TO ENSURE THAT I AM ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. *TR

9/9/2013

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,857. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1/27/2014

6 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT SENSOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AT RANDOM. THE WARNING SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES AT RANDOM. THE KEY ALSO BECAME STUCK IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE MORE THAN ONCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20000.

4/3/2014

I WAS STOPPED AT A SOLID RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I GOT THE GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE (VEHICLE #2) CROSSED MY PATH OF TRAVEL ON THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE AND VEHICLE #2 DRIVER'S SIDE CRASHED INTO MY FRONT END. MY VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND COUNTER CLOCKWISE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF VEHICLE #2. AS A RESULT OF THIS CRASH MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE AND PIECES AND PARTS WERE STREWN ALL OVER THE ROAD. FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE OPERATED POST-COLLISION. WITH THE HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

12/11/2014

6 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER WHILE IN MOTION AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE TDI (DIESEL) FUEL SYSTEM HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE AND IMPLODED INTO MANY VERY SMALL METAL PARTS. VW IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM, BUT NOT THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE METAL IN THE FUEL LINES IS CAUSE FOR A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AS THEY CANNOT PROVE THE CONTAMINATION WAS LIMITED TO THE FUEL LINES. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OLD AND HAS 5500 MILES TOTAL. *TR

5/29/2013

NEW 2013 JETTA TDI WITH LESS THAN 7000 MILES HAD A CATASTROPHIC DIESEL ENGINE FAILURE ON I-5 NORTHBOUND IN WASHINGTON STATE. DIESEL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED, LOST POWER. LUCKILY I WAS COMING UP ON AN EXIT AND ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF. WAS TRAVELING AT THE SPEED LIMIT RATE OF 70 MPH. FOUND OUT FROM SERVICE THAT IT WAS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF. DID RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. TRYING TO GET VW TO REPLACE THE CAR, CANNOT DEPEND ON IT NOW. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THOSE FUEL PUMPS! I WAS TWO HOURS LATE FOR A EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MEETING IN SEATTLE THAT I COULD NOT BE LATE TOO. *TR

11/13/2013

5 more complaints are available in this category.

TIRES

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

EXACT MODEL OF TIRE IS NOT FOUND IN THE DROP DOWN MENU. DUNLOP SP SPORT 01 A/S. SIZE 225/40R18 92H. A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL DEVELOPED AFTER 9,000 MILES WITH NO ACCIDENT. THIS WEAKNESS IN THE TIRE CAN VERY EASILY LEAD TO BLOWOUTS. IF THE BUBBLE OCCUR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, IT CAN GO UNNOTICED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SPECIFIC TIRE AND MANY VEHICLES USE THIS TIRE AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. *TR

12/6/2013

BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES WITH SIDEWALL BUBBLES IN TWO DIFFERENT TIRES.. THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR THE 2ND TIRE TO HADN'T THIS ON THE SAME VEHICLE WITHIN 2 MONTHS AND 5,000 MILES OF EACH INSTANCE. *TR

2/25/2014

5 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY, NO OTHER CARS NEARBY, NOTHING OVERHEAD, NO APPARENT REASON, IT JUST BLEW UP THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY MY 5 AND 6 YEAR OLD WERE NOT IN THE BACKSEAT :) *TR

9/26/2014

I WAS STOPPED AT A SOLID RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I GOT THE GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE (VEHICLE #2) CROSSED MY PATH OF TRAVEL ON THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE AND VEHICLE #2 DRIVER'S SIDE CRASHED INTO MY FRONT END. MY VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND COUNTER CLOCKWISE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF VEHICLE #2. AS A RESULT OF THIS CRASH MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE AND PIECES AND PARTS WERE STREWN ALL OVER THE ROAD. FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE OPERATED POST-COLLISION. WITH THE HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

12/11/2014

5 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. IT CREATED AN UNSAFE SITUATION WHERE I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND LET THE TRAFFIC PASS BY, THEN PUT THE CAR IN MANUAL SHIFT SO THAT I COULD ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE HAPPENS USUALLY AROUND SPEEDS OF 40 MILES AN HOUR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR WILL BE IN 6 GEAR AT VERY LOW SPEEDS AND FAILS TO DOWN SHIFT WHEN THE GAS IS PRESSED. THIS RESULTS IN A LOSE OF POWER AND DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. *TR

8/16/2013

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE EXPERIENCES AS OUTLINED IN COMPLAINT ID 10535696. I HAVE AN OPEN CASE WITH VW CORP, CASE NUMBER 130565794. I HAVE ASKED FOR THE NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN 100552336, SERVICE TO BE PERFORMED ON MY CAR, AS I CONTINUE TO HAVE NEAR ACCIDENT MISSES DUE TO THE MISFIRE (WHICH HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON) AND THE NON-RESPONSIVE GAS PETAL (WHEN THE AC IS OFF). VW CORP IS TRYING NOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN AND REFUSES TO PERFORM THE SERVICE TO MY CAR. THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE CONTENTS OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I HAVE INFORMED THEM AND HAVE DOCUMENTED ON MY SERVICE INVOICE THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER AND MY COMPLAINT NUMBER. SO IF THEY WERE NOT AWARE BEFORE, THEY ARE NOW, BUT STILL DENY ME THE SERVICE OUTLINED IN YOUR SERVICE BULLETIN ID 100552336. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THEIR POSSESSION SINCE THE 23RD, THIS IS MY SECOND VISIT AND I NOW HAVE A CASE OPEN WITH VW CORP (SEE CASE NUMBER ABOVE). I CONTINUE TO BE UNABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY DRIVING SITUATIONS. *TT

8/28/2013

4 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

UPON ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY, MY DRIVER SIDE AXLE TRAILING ARM COMPLETELY SNAPPED. CAR HAS A CLEAN TITLE, BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER USED WITH 9K MILES ON IT. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE GLOBAL RECALL AND CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY, THE INCIDENT AND CAMPAIGN ARE SO NEW THEY DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE TO RESPOND. MY FEELING IS THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE METAL USED & I FIND IT ABSURD THAT ANYONE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SIDE OR REAR COLLISION TO GET THIS PART INSPECTED/REPLACED. I THINK ANY CLIENT OF VW THAT HAS A CAR LISTED NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN - IF THE TRAILING ARM/AXLE WOULD HAVE SNAPPED WHILE I WAS AT SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING NOT ONLY TO ME, MY FAMILY BUT ANYONE ON THE ROAD... I'M CONTINUING TO TALK TO VW BECAUSE MY CONCERN IS THE METAL....AND WHAT ARE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS MADE OF & WHEN WERE THEY MADE?? I DON'T INTEND ON PAYING ONE CENT FOR THIS REPAIR & WILL HOLD VW RESPONSIBLE 100% FOR THIS OR ANY FUTURE ISSUES RESULTING FROM THEIR DEFECTIVE PART/PROCESS....UPDATED 11/06/14 *BF UPDATED 7/27/2015*JS *TR

10/29/2014

AS I WAS DRIVING I STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINS IT BECAME WORSE. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL. I THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT. THE KNOCKING NOISE GREW LOUDER AND THEN THERE WAS A METAL BREAKING NOISE AND THE CAR DROPPED AND THE WHEEL WAS ALMOST OFF THE CAR. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE STRUCTURAL STEEL OF THE DRIVERSIDE REAR TRAILING ARM WAS SNAPPED IN HALF! THIS WAS OUT OF NOWHERE AND THANK GOD I WAS NOT GOING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY! *TR

11/21/2014

3 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE PARKED ON THE STREET, THE VEHICLE'S HORN WOULD NOT SOUND AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM WARNING AN APPROACHING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, A CRASH OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

1/5/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PERMANENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

3/18/2016

2 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER BUYING THIS NEW VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT HUNDREDS OF FOGGY LOOKING SPOTS WOULD APPEAR IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY. WHEN THESE SPOTS APPEAR IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THIS WINDSHIELD OR INTO IT . THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AROUND DAWN AND AROUND DUSK THOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES OF THE DAY ALSO. I HAVE PURSUED HAVING THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED BY CONTACTING THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD IT IS BECAUSE OF THE WINDOW BEING POLARIZED AND THAT THE WINDOW IS UP TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. PRETTY MUCH THEY HAVE TOLD ME, TOO BAD THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. I HAVE EXPRESSED TO THE DEALER AND TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF OR IN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THESE FOGGY SPOTS ARE THERE. AFTER MONTHS OF TRYING TO GET THEM TO AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY FINALLY SENT AN EXECUTIVE DOWN TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEIR LAST TIME I HEARD FROM THEM, THEY SAID THEY WOULD TINT THE REAR WINDSHIELD SO THAT I WOULDN'T SEE THE PROBLEM. TO ME THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE. IF YOU TRY TO COVER UP THE PROBLEM YOU DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND IGNORING SAFETY ISSUES. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TALK TO OR WHERE TO GO FROM HERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH THEM. I AM READING ABOUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS IN VW FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND AM SURE THERE MUST BE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND AM WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE SENT COMPLAINTS INTO THIS DEPARTMENT ALSO. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

3/22/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SWITCH, BUT IT FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE WINDOW REMAINED IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDOW SWITCH PREVIOUSLY FAILED TO DEPRESS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

9/20/2016

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHEN DRIVING UP A STEEP, SNOWY HILL WITH STUDDED SNOW TIRES, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION IMPROPERLY REGULATED THE WHEEL CONTROL AND SPEED. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE UP THE HILL AS A RESULT OF MY TIRES CONTINUOUSLY LOCKING UP, DISABLING ANY FORWARD MOTION. WHEN THIS ESC CONTROL PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING UP THE HILL, I WAS FORCED TO RETREAT FROM MY DESTINATION, DRIVING IN, WHAT I CONSIDERED TO BE, MORE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH TWO-WHEEL DRIVE WERE ABLE TO SURMOUNT THIS HILL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF MY CAR. PLEASE NOTE, THIS REPORT IS FOR A 2013 JETTA TDI SEDAN, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE A ESC BUTTON FOR OPTIONAL ESC USE. ALL OTHER JETTA MODELS INCLUDE AN ESC BUTTON TO GIVE THE DRIVER AN OPTION TO DISABLE THE ESC CONTROLS DURING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION FOR THE 2013 JETTA TDI SEDAN. WHEN I QUERIED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT INSTALLING AN ESC OPTIONAL BUTTON WAS NOT ALLOWED IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. *TR

6/5/2014

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WIND, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PLASTIC PROTECTOR FELL OFF. THE AC UNIT NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT COSTING 1600 AND NOW THE IDEAL WHILE TURNING ON CAR IS VERY HIGH. SOUND ALMOST LIKE IT DID WHEN I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL RECALL IN THE LAST YEARS. DOORS ARE SQUEAK WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. AND WHILE DRIVING A NOISE THAT SOUND LIKE CHAINS RATTLES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WHICH IS A VERY IRRITATING SOUND.

7/20/2016

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,600. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ

7/16/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SERVICE IMMEDIATELY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTER COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED CHARGE AIR COOLER KIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 07/14/16*LJ

1/19/2016

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVING HOME ON I-4 THE EVENING OF SEP 10, 2014 AND HEARD A LOUD POP/GUNSHOT SOUND FROM THE SUNROOF, THEN STARTED HEARING GLASS DEBRIS BLOWING OFF THE CAR. IT WAS QUITE A SHOCK TO BOTH MYSELF AND GIRLFRIEND IN THE MOMENT. LUCKILY, I HAD THE SUNROOF INTERIOR COVER CLOSED SO IT DID NOT FALL INTO THE CAR WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. I DID NOT STOP AS I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS SAFE, BUT AFTER ARRIVING HOME ABOUT 8-10 MINS LATER I INSPECTED THE CAR NOTICING THAT THE GLASS WAS NOT SHATTERED IN, BUT PUSHED OUTWARD LIKE THE IMPACT CAME FROM THE INSIDE. THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE CENTER WITH CHARDS OF GLASS INSIDE AND THE ENTIRE SUNROOF HAS CRACKS THROUGHOUT. NOT SURE WHETHER TO FILE A CLAIM OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, SO THERE WASN'T A POSSIBILITY FOR VANDALISM. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE LOW 80'S. *TR

9/10/2014

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY, NO OTHER CARS NEARBY, NOTHING OVERHEAD, NO APPARENT REASON, IT JUST BLEW UP THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY MY 5 AND 6 YEAR OLD WERE NOT IN THE BACKSEAT :) *TR

9/26/2014

WHEELS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE 205/55R16 TIRES WITH 33,865 MILES. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL SPLIT WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT A LOW SPEED CAUSING A FLAT TIRE. ALL DRIVING HAS BEEN ROUTINE. THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON FOR A SIDEWALL TO SPLIT AFTER ONLY 33,865 MILES ON IT UNLESS IT IS DEFECTIVE. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE CANNOT BE CHANGED BY THE OWNER BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS INSTALLED LOCKING LUG NUTS AND WILL NOT PROVIDE THE SPECIAL KEY TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. THE GLOVE BOX HAS A SPOT FOR THE SPECIAL KEY, SO THE INTENT IS CLEAR THAT THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE A KEY, BUT A KEY WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNLESS ADDITIONAL MONEY IS PAID TO PURCHASE THE KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A FLAT TIRE OCCURS, THE OWNER CANNOT CHANGE THE TIRE AND THEREFORE, WILL BE LEFT IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

11/18/2014

THE DUNLOP SPORT SP 01 A/S 18" TIRES THAT COME AS STANDARD ON CERTAIN TRIM LEVELS OF THE VW JETTA GLI / GTI ARE DEFECTIVE IMO. I AM NOW GOING TO REPLACE THE 4TH TIRE IN 29,000 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW FROM THE SAME / SIMILAR ISSUE; BUBBLES AND SIDEWALL DEFECTS, AND MOST RECENTLY AS OF TODAY A BLOWOUT IN THE LEFT LANE OF A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AFTER A MINOR ROAD IMPACT (DID NOT JAR CABIN OR WASN'T PARTICULARLY SEVERE) 200 MILES ALWAYS FROM HOME. GO ONLINE TO PLACES LIKE TIRERACK.COM AND SEARCH THE WEB, THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING WITH THIS TIRE AND IN THE APPROXIMATELY 30,000-40,000 MILES A YEAR OF DRIVING I PUT ON TWO VEHICLES COMBINED (IN WHICH I AVERAGE A NEW CAR PURCHASE EVERY YEAR AND HALF), ONLY THESE TIRES HAVE EVER BEEN AN ISSUE AND VW EQUIPS THESE ON BOTH THE GLI AND GTI WITH THE SAME SAID COMPLAINTS, WHILE OTHER BRANDS OF TIRES IN THE SAME SIZE DO NOT HAVE THE COMPLAINTS LIKE THESE. I DO REALIZE THEY ARE LOWER PROFILE AND COULD BE PRONE TO MORE SIDEWALL DAMAGE, BUT IN ALL HONESTY THEY ARE JUST NOT BUILT TO PRACTICAL HIGHWAY STRENGTH STANDARDS AS I AGAIN DRIVE OTHER VEHICLES IN THE SAME CONDITION WITH NO ILL TIRE AFFECTS. AFTER TODAY'S HIGHWAY BLOWOUT I REALIZE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE MORE THAN JUST A NUISANCE AS A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER MAY HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. VW OF AMERICA COULD MOST LIKELY ELIMINATE THIS BY FITTING THEIR VEHICLES WITH OTHER BRANDS. *TR

12/24/2014

SUSPENSION:REAR

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE STOPPED AT A GAS STATION, THE REAR AXLE DISLOCATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V656000 (SUSPENSION). IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WIRING HARNESS, SPEED SENSOR, THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE SRS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,800.

2/13/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSTIC MONITORING MACHINE INDICATED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE ALSO INDICATED THE SAME FAILURE. SINCE THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE WHILE AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO REPAIRS WOULD BE PERFORMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V656000 (SUSPENSION). AFTER TAKING TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE, EVEN THOUGH THE REAR END SUSTAINED VISIBLE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

4/10/2015

SEAT BELTS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY DASH. MY SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED IN. SO I PULLED OVER AND UNBUCKLED MY SEAT BELT AND BUCKLED BACK UP. BUT IT DIDN'T TURN OFF THE SEAT BELT LIGHT. I DID IT FOR A COUPLE MORE TIMES. STILL DIDN'T WORK. I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND WAITED MOMENTARILY. TURNED IT BACK ON. TRIED BUCKLING BACK UP TO NO LUCK. THE WHOLE CAR RIDE TO WORK HAD A ANNOYING SEAT BELT CHARM. 2013 JETTA GLI WITH 48K MILES.

1/6/2016

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.

6/4/2017

STRUCTURE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER BUYING THIS NEW VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT HUNDREDS OF FOGGY LOOKING SPOTS WOULD APPEAR IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY. WHEN THESE SPOTS APPEAR IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THIS WINDSHIELD OR INTO IT . THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AROUND DAWN AND AROUND DUSK THOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES OF THE DAY ALSO. I HAVE PURSUED HAVING THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED BY CONTACTING THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD IT IS BECAUSE OF THE WINDOW BEING POLARIZED AND THAT THE WINDOW IS UP TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. PRETTY MUCH THEY HAVE TOLD ME, TOO BAD THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. I HAVE EXPRESSED TO THE DEALER AND TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF OR IN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THESE FOGGY SPOTS ARE THERE. AFTER MONTHS OF TRYING TO GET THEM TO AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY FINALLY SENT AN EXECUTIVE DOWN TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEIR LAST TIME I HEARD FROM THEM, THEY SAID THEY WOULD TINT THE REAR WINDSHIELD SO THAT I WOULDN'T SEE THE PROBLEM. TO ME THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE. IF YOU TRY TO COVER UP THE PROBLEM YOU DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND IGNORING SAFETY ISSUES. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TALK TO OR WHERE TO GO FROM HERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH THEM. I AM READING ABOUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS IN VW FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND AM SURE THERE MUST BE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND AM WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE SENT COMPLAINTS INTO THIS DEPARTMENT ALSO. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

3/22/2013

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

APPROACHED TRAFFIC LIGHT (WHICH WAS RED). WHEN LIGHT CHANGED, ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. NO POWER FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS, THEN ACCELERATED THROUGH THE LIGHT AND ALL WAS NORMAL. NOW HAVE ABOUT 1500 MILES ON THE CAR AND SIMILAR SITUATIONS HAVE OCCURRED. ESTIMATED THAT WE HAD ABOUT 15 REPEATS OF THIS PROBLEM. DEALER FOUND NO CODES AND COULD NOT REPEAT THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL A CODE WAS RECORDED BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE WITH A COLD ENGINE AND THE REST OF THE TIME WHEN THE ENGINE WAS THOROUGHLY WARMED UP. FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. WE COULD MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO APPROACHING TRAFFIC AND BE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION.. AM AFRAID TO HAVE MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

6/13/2013

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION AND SUBSEQUENTLY STALLED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL BETWEEN SOME CONSTRUCTION CONES BEFORE IT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. UPON TOWING TO A DEALER, I WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. VW WARRANTY WILL COVER ALL DAMAGE, BUT IT IS CONSIDERABLE. ALL FUEL INJECTORS, PUMPS, LINES ETC WILL BE REPLACED. I SOON LEARNED FROM FRIENDS THAT THIS HAPPENED TO THEIR TDI MODEL VEHICLES AS WELL. ALL INFORMATION THAT I FIND DATES TO 2011, BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. I AM VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHERE I FILL UP AND STILL EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE. IN SPITE OF BEING ASSURED BY THE VW MECHANIC THAT MY CAR WILL BE "PERFECT," I FEEL THAT I NEED TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT. *TT

8/28/2013

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL FILTER

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500.

10/15/2014

WHEELS:HUB

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

UPON ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY, MY DRIVER SIDE AXLE TRAILING ARM COMPLETELY SNAPPED. CAR HAS A CLEAN TITLE, BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER USED WITH 9K MILES ON IT. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE GLOBAL RECALL AND CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY, THE INCIDENT AND CAMPAIGN ARE SO NEW THEY DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE TO RESPOND. MY FEELING IS THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE METAL USED & I FIND IT ABSURD THAT ANYONE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SIDE OR REAR COLLISION TO GET THIS PART INSPECTED/REPLACED. I THINK ANY CLIENT OF VW THAT HAS A CAR LISTED NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN - IF THE TRAILING ARM/AXLE WOULD HAVE SNAPPED WHILE I WAS AT SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING NOT ONLY TO ME, MY FAMILY BUT ANYONE ON THE ROAD... I'M CONTINUING TO TALK TO VW BECAUSE MY CONCERN IS THE METAL....AND WHAT ARE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS MADE OF & WHEN WERE THEY MADE?? I DON'T INTEND ON PAYING ONE CENT FOR THIS REPAIR & WILL HOLD VW RESPONSIBLE 100% FOR THIS OR ANY FUTURE ISSUES RESULTING FROM THEIR DEFECTIVE PART/PROCESS....UPDATED 11/06/14 *BF UPDATED 7/27/2015*JS *TR

10/29/2014

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT LATCH. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,785. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

1/15/2015

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT LATCH. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,785. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

1/15/2015

SEATS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL BUT THE ONE I AM HAVING MORE ISSUES WITH, ARE THE HEAD LAMPS AND/OR FUSES. IN OCTOBER OF 2014, MY LEFT SIDE LOW BEAM STOPPED WORKING, I BOUGHT 2 BULBS SO IT COULD BE REPLACED AND THEN IT WASN'T THE BULB, IT WAS A FUSE. IN JANUARY 2015, THE LEFT SIDE BULB STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND ANY FUSE THAT WAS BLOWN ON MY OWN, THIS TIME IT WAS THE BULB. NOW IT IS THE RIGHT SIDE LOW BEAM THAT ISN'T WORKING. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON BUT I HAVE ANOTHER CAR THAT IS 20 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS ONLY 1 TIME. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUNE OF 2013, I HAD IT LESS THAN ONE MONTH AND WHILE GOING ACROSS A RAIL ROAD CROSSING, THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. AFTER TESTS, THEY SAID THAT IT SHOWED NOTHING AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING WAS FOUND. THE SEAT BELT SIGN COMES ON FOR THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BECAUSE OF A SENSOR WHEN NO ONE IS IN IT. THE TRUNK HAS A DELAY ON IT AND TAKES A WHILE TO OPEN. THE GAS MILEAGE IS NOT AT ALL WHAT IT CLAIMS EITHER. I GET AT THE MOST 32-34 MPG AND 99% OF MY DRIVING IS ON THE INTERSTATE. I DIDN'T GET ANY EXTENDED COVERAGE ON IT BECAUSE EVERYONE SAYS THAT THEY ARE GREAT CARS, WELL UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE TO FIX THE ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE, THEY WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER BUY FROM ME OR THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE I KNOW AND ALL THE ONES THAT READ THE REVIEWS. *TR

3/22/2015

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD BEEN MOVED OUT OF SPECIFICATION BECAUSE THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE ALIGNMENT COULD BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS DAMAGED BY AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT EVERY TIME IT STRUCK A POTHOLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IS HOW THE SUBFRAME WAS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

6/3/2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I HAVE A 2013 JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 6 MILES ON A LOCAL, BUT BUSY ROAD. I STOPPED AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE ENGINE WAS IDLING WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT THEN ENGINE STALLED AGAIN BEFORE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN. WHEN TRAFFIC LIGHT FINALLY TURNED GREEN, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE AND DROVE CAR TO SAFE LOCATION WHERE I THEN TURNED ENGINE OFF. WHEN I TURNED ENGINE BACK ON, I WAITED, LETTING IT IDLE, AND IT STOPPED AGAIN WITH NO WARNING. I DID NOT SEE ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT IN A Q & A FOR THE RADIO TALK SHOW CARTALK, CARTALK HOSTS RECOMMENDED A NEW CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THIS SAME ISSUE, ALSO ON A JETTA. DEALER DID THIS AT MY REQUEST, BUT I HAD TO PAY $400+. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD TAKE UP THIS ISSUE UP WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND SEE IF MANUFACTURER WOULD REIMBURSE ME. SO FAR, THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME. I AM DRIVING CAR, BUT DO NOT KNOW IF PROBLEM IS RESOLVED OR WILL RECUR.

8/10/2015

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

JETTA HAS ODOR WHEN AC IS TURNED ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATES THE CIRCULATORY (C) MUST BE USED AT ALL TIMES. DOES NOT CORRECT ISSUE . FIRST TIME SERVICE DEPARTMENT TCO'D. 2ND TIME BACK TO SHOP, THEY WANTED 150.00 TO REPAIR AFTER 3 MONTHS. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY AIR CONDENSOR FLUID POOLING IN VALVE INSTEAD OF EVAPORATING. POOR ENGINEERING. CAUSES LIGHT HEAD MUST OPEN WINDOWS FOR FRESH AIR. PEOPLE WITH PARKINSON'S AND SENSITIVE NERVOUS SYSTEMS SHOULD AVOID THIS CAR.

8/17/2015

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

4/28/2016

About This Data

Data and Methodology

Sources
Show 21 sources
  • edmunds.com
  • fuelly.com
  • vwproblems.com
  • asburyauto.com
  • realsafecars.com
  • clearvin.com
  • kbb.com
  • asburyauto.com
  • youtube.com
  • iihs.org
  • kbb.com
  • howsafeisyourcar.com.au
  • cars.com
  • fuelly.com
  • cars.com
  • vwproblems.com
  • kbb.com
  • jdpower.com
  • youtube.com
  • kbb.com
  • carparts.com
MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most reported complaint category for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 142 owner reports. That is about 19% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE.

Are complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 410 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta severe?

410 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Volkswagen Jetta: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
733
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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