CarComplaints.com Notes: VW updated the Jetta's interior and added new features like backup cameras to certain trims. Time will tell if these adjustments start falling apart.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,914 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #109

Sep 022024

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2013 Jetta TDI with 92k miles. I am the third owner of this car which has been regularly maintained since new with all service records, including a 2019 emissions modification per VW recall. I bought this vehicle less than a year ago. My son was driving to work when the car shut off without warning. He was able to restart it and park safely and had it towed home. After replacing the battery and a fuse, the car continued to show a code for the ECM Power Relay Load Circuit. We took it to the mechanic to have it inspected, and learned that the high pressure fuel pump had imploded and metal shavings were found throughout the entire fuel system. This is evidently a common and very costly issue that VW has an obligation to fix. They knowingly continue to use a defective part that is essentially a ticking time bomb without regard to the owners safety and the financial ramifications of the repair. All VW vehicles with this defect should be covered by VW, not just selected model years and models. This causes catastrophic damage and VW is completely negligent by not doing what is right by the customer. The VW dealer quoted a $9,000. repair and VW North America declined any assistance with the vehicle. The car is not worth that, and it would be absurd to pay out of pocket for the repair; especially since VW continues to use a defective designed HPFP that can eventually fail again. VW was selective in the model years that they recalled, but only after the parts failed. They should have applied the recall and repairs to ALL vehicles proactively. I now have a 2013 paperweight in my driveway. The reason I purchased this specific car was for the longevity that diesels are known for. What a shame that VW does not rectify the situation in lieu of the previous diesel scandal. I'll be going back to Volvo or Subaru, two companies that I have had great experiences with, both in safety and reliability. VW should do the right thing, but I guess that's of no importance anymore.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #108

Sep 162024

Jetta

  • miles
UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION As I was accelerating to enter traffic on the expressway the engine lost partial power. I reduced accelerator pressure, and then the engine seemed to recover. I then reapplied pressure to the accelerator, and it seemed normal but when I put in the clutch to shift, the engine accelerated beyond redline. I completed the shift, and car began to accelerate rapidly. I tapped the accelerator, and the acceleration stopped, and then after about 3 seconds it began to accelerate again. I attempted to reduce acceleration with brakes, but it was only partially effective. The only way to effectively reduce acceleration was to take the car out of gear. (thankfully this was a manual transmission) When I shifted into neutral, engine RPMs would exceed redline. The excessive RPMs ultimately destroyed the engine (Big bang, lots of smoke). In hindsight I would have turned the ignition off but did not think to at the time.. The safety implications are obvious. This event occurred without warning and under normal driving conditions. I suspect an engine sensor anomaly combined with computer software failure. (Maybe an RPM sensor?) Specific cause is unknown, and situation cannot be recreated since the engine has failed. The Diesel Particulate Filter warning light was on, and had been on for several weeks. It did not clear using the recommended remediation in the manual. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer or other interested parties, but is available for inspection. (This is one of the vehicles recalled for -??diesel-gate-?? purchased from VW after reprogramming)

- Springboro, OH, USA

problem #107

Jun 012024

Jetta

  • miles
Unknown

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #106

Nov 112023

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is an open recall on 2013 Volkswagen Jetta hybrid for known electrical and power train issues. My car was purchased last year and kept up on in maintenance. I have had it in the shop multiple times for checks due to the lights on my dashboard all going off. Nothing was found until recently the hybrid and engine light turned on out of no where and the cause was the clutch failing which is one of the known recalls. My VIN Isn-??t listed under this recall and I have been in contact with Volkswagen and they are refusing to help even thought it-??s a known issue with this years make and model. The car is unsafe to drive and could likely result in an accident due to the behavior of the car from these issues. The car will randomly buck when driving and when coming to a complete stop and trying to accelerate it will buck as well. I did add the open recalls on this car that are alike to my issues. There are also 4 other open recalls on this years make and model. I don-??t have an exact date when the issues start I could look through my paper work but I put down 11/11 as they have been happening for awhile now

- Rockland, MA, USA

problem #105

Aug 242023

Jetta

  • miles
My vehicle has the Mechatronic failure that the recall is open for some 13-?? Jetta hybrids but I don-??t have an open recall for it. The car would start shutting on and off constantly at stop lights instead of staying off running soley on battery power. The error codes are pointing to a failure to maintain fluid pressure inside the mechatronics unit. The mechatronics unit is included in a VW recall from June 2021. There was a design flaw in the housing that caused transmission fluid to lead out under pressure. My vehicle should be included in the recall but since I don-??t have an open recall for this to my vehicle I can-??t get it fixed and repairs are to expensive for something VW should own up for this mistake but they won-??t repair it.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #104

Aug 102021

Jetta

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side road and was able to continue driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and unknown sensors were replaced, but the failure persisted. On another occasion while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the electrical control module was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #103

Jul 192023

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Unknown system failure or component. Ever since I've bought the vehicle in I believe 2017 from EICH VW, it has consistently died while driving or idling. It also was "slamming on the brakes on its own" when the car would die. It jerks consistently as well. The latest out of hundreds of incidents, was yesterday, it stalled at a red light that had turned green, so I was stopped, I turned my hazards on immediately when it had stalled. The vehicle behind me went into the turn lane and the vehicle behind it was coming at me at 60+ mph as that was the speed limit on the road. There is NO warning as to when it will stall, almost never any dash light, maybe only once or twice a year. And it can go weeks or even months without incident and then go crazy for weeks or months straight. It stalling out has almost killed me and my son when trying to cross the highway to get to his dad's house, in that situation me and my at the time when I used to take that way he was 1/2 years old, and we were almost t boned by the oncoming traffic after it had stalled. I have taken it to some many certified dealers and "experts" and no one can tell me what is wrong. It has now gotten to the point where it is happening so often I'm scared to put my three year old in my car. This is a VERY COMMON issue Volkswagen knows about but won't acknowledge or do anything about, I did not know about it until after buying the car. There are no beforehand symptoms, there is no way to tell when it is going to happen, even the car is running perfectly fine before it happens. I know that service providers have been able to experience exactly what happens, but they may not remember as this has been going on for years and I'm not their only customer, and I don't even remember everywhere I've been to try and fix the problem. But it is something I have been publicly asking about and complaining about for years. My ex who works for Toyota, even experienced it when we first met, and we had to have my car towed.

- Cold Spring, MN, USA

problem #102

Jun 192023

Jetta

  • miles
I purchased vehicle 12/06/2022 and day after purchase check engine light went off. Took it back to dealer ASH Auto and they stated they fixed it. 2 Months later check engine light again. Got a diagnostic test and codes were TBI Base Gasket, P01106 Manifold and 01314-013 Engine control module. Now one week ago dropping off daughter to work down the street and when pulled into garage my vehicle will not go I to park. Only neutral, reverse and drive work. Have to keep car in neutral with emergency brake to keep parked.

- Payson, AZ, USA

problem #101

Jul 022021

Jetta

  • miles
NHTSA recall no: 19V-866 Manufacturer Recall no: 34J6 Volkswagen is refusing to replace my mechatronic unit.

- Norridge, IL, USA

problem #100

Apr 022021

Jetta

  • miles
The mechanics at Volkswagen found a hairline crack in my mechatronics unit for my Volkswagen Jetta hybrid 2013. They would not fix it even though it was the software that caused it. -??Summary: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid vehicles equipped with a DQ200 7-Speed DSG Automatic Transmission. Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure. Consequence: A decrease in transmission oil pressure can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software, free of charge. The software remedy is currently under development. The recall is expected to begin February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 34J6. The problem is my unit already had the hairline crack before they updated the software. They were saying it was my fault and I have to pay out of pocket.

- Norridge, IL, USA

problem #99

Dec 302021

Jetta

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle was not included in several recalls (e.g. 36F6/4V and 34J6) that were made for identical cars (2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid). As result, the transmission is approaching its end of life (I was quoted $9600 + tax for the replacement). I called VW customer service and they could not offer a reason why some cars are not recalled; they just tried to spin it. The transmission is one big part that is manufactured in Germany and comes sealed. The 2013 recall 36F6 (change the transmission oil because is corrosive) would have saved the transmission.

- Wise, VA, USA

problem #98

Dec 292021

Jetta

  • miles
Transmission is about to fail: at ODO 98800 the CEL indicates code P177B - Clutch Tolerance limit reached. The DSG transmission mechatronic unit was changed at ODO 46734 because the engine was loosing power. Volkswagen's has a recent recall 34J6 for this problem and vehicle type, but mine is not included in the recall.

- Wise, VA, USA

problem #97

Aug 132021

Jetta

  • miles
E-Engine and Transmission Problem. In August of 2021, while performing normal driving, the car refused to get in gear and the engine just revved; the Check Engine and Hybrid Systems Failure lights came on, and the car would not work properly. I had it towed to a VW Dealership in Springfield, VA for repairs and was quoted $15,000 for a new E-Engine and Transmission. No Recalls, but online forums show that this is a classic failure of Jetta Hybrids and is due to the corrosive transmission oil used in the sealed transmissions of the Hybrids. Car has remained on VW Dealership lot while a decision is made on the vehicle. November of 2021 I was contacted about a different recall (38C4) for the Jetta; it is a software issue with a European Calibration instead of a US. I am looking to have that repaired to see if it fixes the problem in the car. I am inquiring about the Volkswagen recall 34J6 (or 34J6/4V) for 2013/2014 VW Jetta Hybrids. My VIN does not appear on the list. According to forums, it has experienced the same failure as others that are. This one is for hairline cracks that may form in the Transmission causing it to fail. No warning signs were given before the failure. It was a well maintained car; I was the only owner and drove it for 121,000 miles.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #96

Oct 042021

Jetta

  • miles
While driving on freeway going 80mph in carpool with my toddler in backseat the car turned off losing all power to car. engine stopped, steering did not work, brakes did not work, and all lights on dash turned off along with headlights and break lights. i pulled into emergency lane and pulled key out. the car restarted back up but no lights were on dash to indicate anything was wrong with it. took the car into local mechanic they could not duplicate issue, and didnt find any codes. car was returned not fixed. it has happened 6 more times 5 times while driving and one time while sitting in a starbucks drive through each time taking key out and able to restart car. took car into vw dealership, and told them the issue with no light saying anything. checked for codes. no codes where found mechanic still now trying to duplicate issue. this is very dangerous issue that needs attention to if it wasn't for just a few cars on the freeway my son and myself would have been gone from a malfunction from the vehicle. I hope no one else encounters this issue.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #95

May 112021

Jetta

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, approaching a stop sign with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted but failed to move. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to work on the model of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #94

Oct 012020

Jetta

  • 100,000 miles
My vehicle for a few years now has stalled out on me and caused it to go in to limp mode. This is very dangerous and I see there is a recall and no fix is available but the hybrid system shuts completely down when it does this and I cannot do anything with the vehicle at that time. It will happen anywhere I am where it's a back road or on the interstate.I feel that Volkswagen should take back this veh because of the faulty system. I feel Volkswagen should pay my loan off so I can get in to another safer vehicle.

- Jonesborough, TN, USA

problem #93

Jan 102020

Jetta

  • 190,000 miles
Gears not shifting correctly, loses power to where I have to pull over because I can't accelerate. That is extremely dangerous especially if I am not able to get to a spot to pull over to. 01/ I have had diagnostics performed which they all come to the same conclusion that is needs a new transmission. These are the codes it is putting out: P073A stuck in gear 5, P1731 gears position distance sensor 3:electronic error, P1731C gear position distance sensor 3:implausible signal and P072B stuck in reverse. It has been doing this since the car was purchased in Jan of 2020. There have been recalls on 2013-2014 Jetta hybrids for these same problems but my VIN number is not included in the recalls

- Avon, IN, USA

problem #92

Jan 072020

Jetta

  • miles
It has been over a year that my Volkswagen Jetta hybrid is undriveable. The transmission has hairline cracks and there is no fix yet. I think this happened a few years ago to, when I was forced to pay over $6000 for a new engine. I was told my car was not part of the recall. I took the care to get serviced a year ago. The dealer couldn't get the car started and after three weeks, they did, but when I drove it, the car could not excellerate

- Dunmore, PA, USA

problem #91

Nov 302018

Jetta

  • 177,000 miles
The mechatronic unit had already had to been replaced previously when the 2nd issue happened I was at the stoplight in the car lost all movement power the ac and all the instruments were also working door locks windows everything I got it towed to the dealership and they say it was the electric motor quoted me nearly $12000

- Lucerne Valley, CA, USA

problem #90

Nov 012020

Jetta

  • miles
Intake manifold limited warranty extension number vwp-20-03. This warranty extension is for certain 2015 model year Volkswagen tiguan, cc and eos with engine codes cbfa and ccta. I have a 2013 VW Jetta gli with an engine code of ccta that is experiencing the same manifold failures as the above mentioned bulletin. I have called VW and they state my car would not be included in this extended warranty. After doing much research on the VW forum, this is a common problem for several year, makes and models concerning the faulty intake manifold runner flap that plagues so many thousands of gen1 2.0T tsi engines. The linkage within the intake manifold runner flap that connects to the vacuum actuated arm can break at its drive hex, and allows the lever arm to "pop" out of the intake manifold, sometimes creating a massive air leak while becoming disconnected from the drive hex. By simply pushing the lever arm back into the intake manifold, the drive hex reconnects to the linkage and will operate the tumble flaps but it will continue to blow open again once under boost, creating a massive air leak. This failure event is so common that aftermarket parts manufacturers have designed a fix/prevention kit to the common faulty intake manifold runner flap linkage. Previously the only repair was to replace the entire intake manifold, costing hundreds in parts and labor. VW needs to perform further containment actions that identifies other models and years that are affected by the factory installed faulty manifold and they should be held responsible to bear the burden of the costs associated with this common issue by way of extending the manifold warranty to other makes such as golf (V, vi), Jetta (V, vi, ) and passat B6. Follow link to aftermarket fix and description: Https://www.ecstuning.com/B-ecs-parts/VW-Audi-P2015-20T-tsi-intake-manifold-lever-arm-fix-kit/021071ecs01~A/

- Foley, MO, USA

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