NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
Tiny cracks can form in the transmission control unit, allowing transmission fluid to leak out and reducing oil pressure inside the transmission.
This page covers 7 recalls, 594 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta.
25–44 mpg combined
5.3–9.4 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 9 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2013 Jetta's complaint picture is dominated by powertrain and electrical issues. On the powertrain side, owners frequently report sudden loss of engine power while driving, often at highway speeds, where the vehicle decelerates without warning and sometimes won't restart. A recurring culprit owners describe is high-pressure fuel pump failure, along with transmission problems in DSG-equipped cars, specifically hydraulic fluid leaks from the transmission mechatronics unit, sometimes requiring full transmission replacement. Electrical complaints are the second most common theme, with owners reporting check engine and warning lights illuminating unexpectedly, airbag system warning lights staying on, and various electrical gremlins that can be intermittent and hard to reproduce. Engine complaints largely overlap with the power-loss pattern, stalling, rough running, and no-start conditions. A notable subset of transmission complaints involves the DSG's mechatronics unit leaking internally, which owners describe as triggering warning lights before the transmission degrades significantly.
594
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has 7 recalls, the most serious affecting Hybrid models where the transmission can lose power suddenly while driving, raising the risk of a crash.
All four Hybrid-specific powertrain recalls point to the same family of problems: the gearbox control module can corrode and short out, the transmission accumulator housing can crack, and hairline cracks in the mechatronic unit can cause an internal oil leak that drops pressure and causes the clutch to disengage. Any of these can result in a sudden loss of drive power with little warning. Note that these recalls only affect Hybrid models.
Two other recalls cover the broader Jetta lineup. On vehicles with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake, and keyless entry, the ignition allows the key to be removed while the shifter is not in Park, which can lead to an unintended rollaway. There is also an airbag concern: debris can contaminate the clock spring, the coiled cable that keeps the driver's airbag connected while the steering wheel turns, and a loss of connection there means the airbag may not deploy in a crash. A seventh recall covers unspecified regulatory compliance requirements.
At a glance
What can fail
Tiny cracks can form in the transmission control unit, allowing transmission fluid to leak out and reducing oil pressure inside the transmission.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will install a repair kit and replace affected parts at no cost to restore proper transmission function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission accumulator housing may crack, causing the warning light to illuminate and potentially resulting in sudden loss of power to the wheels if driving continues.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will mail instructions to take your vehicle to a dealer for installation of a transmission repair kit to replace the affected parts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During internal evaluation, modifications were made to these vehicles that may prevent them from meeting all applicable safety and emissions regulatory requirements.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will repurchase the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified and can contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Silicate buildup on the shift lever switch contacts can allow the key to be removed from the ignition even when the transmission is not in Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Debris may contaminate and tear the air bag clock spring—a spiral cable that powers the driver's front air bag during steering wheel turns—causing the air bag to lose electrical connection.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective cover over the clock spring if the air bag light is off, or replace the clock spring if the light is on. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The gearbox fluid contains additives that can corrode the control module inside the transmission. Corrosion deposits may short out electrical circuits, causing the vehicle to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the gearbox oil with a non-corrosive version at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Corrosion inside the gearbox from incompatible lubricant additives causes electrical shorts and blown fuses, resulting in loss of power.
What the fix does
Dealers replace the gearbox lubricant with an updated formulation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
