8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$7,070
Average Mileage:
77,050 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (8 reports)
  2. replace module/reset computer (1 reports)
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Owner Comments

problem #9

Jun 232018

Jetta Hybrid Highline 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,565 miles

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

The issue started when the transmission stopped driving the wheels. At first the dashboard displayed a wrench symbol on D (Drive) blinking between D and wrench. The car would not pick up as it used to, even when you press the gas harder, while the wrench symbol appears. It got worse over time and the transmission would just stop driving the wheels and I have to park my car and turn off and on then the car is good to drive.

I visited local the local VW (Waterloo, ON, Canada) dealership and they diagnosed the transmission needs to be replaced. They said the clutch would not engage and repair cost of it is similar to a new transmission. I decided to replace the transmission oil and try it. When they replaced the oil they found some metal shaving in the old oil. I kept driving the car as the issue was very rare and was actually bad during winter (-25C).

The car was still having the same issues and over time things got worse and now the car's hybrid system doesn't work at all and at a red light, car would try to go into electric mode and fails and that why I see the engine stop and kick in every 2-3 seconds. Also now as soon as I try to brake or start from a red light, the transmission would just not drive the car.

In Jan 2020, I received a recall letter from VW mentioned the issue that has same symptoms as my car is showing. I went to dealership with the letter and they said this recall has noting to do with the issue we have seen, the letter said to do with mechatronic unit failure and if the vehicle is driven the clutch won't engage. From that it's clear that the transmission will be affected further with this manufacturing issue and that's what I have seen over time.

Dealership offered me to replace the transmission unit or buy new car with trade-in. They don't want to believe that the issue has something to do with the recall even though the recall letter explained exactly how car is behaving.

They said my car need new e-machine. They did scan it in 2018 and there were not so many issues with transmission except the clutch faults and when I asked that then they said at the time they didn't do a deep scan of the car. I said this is all related to the recall but they don't want to believe it and want to replace the transmission (cost ~5000CAD).

They offered $500 (in 2018) for my car and $2500 rebate (last week) if I buy new vehicle from them but after having this kind of experience, I'm not going to buy another VW vehicle in my life.

- Manpreet R., Waterloo, ON, Canada

problem #8

Jul 312020

Jetta Hybrid SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

I own a 2013 VW Jetta Hybrid with 47,000 miles on it, 2 owner's and certified preowned. My check engine light turned on out of the blue, I hadn't had any major issues with the car. I was on the way to take it to the dealership and out of nowhere the car's power fails, causing me to coast to a stop. I was going about 40 miles an hour taking a slight left-hand turn when it occurred. I pulled over and turned the car off. I waited about 1 minute turned the car on and it started working again, I was driving slowly and the same problem happened.

I pulled over and called a tow truck. The dealership told me that the transmission has a crack in it and the oil leaked into my electric gearbox causing it to fail and me to lose power. They quoted me 11,500 to replace the entire system. I have driven this car like a grandmother for 2 years, oil changes promptly and always put premium gas in it. This is absolutely absurd that they want me to come out of pocket for that kind of money for a faulty car. Please keep the complaints coming.

- Carter R., San Diego, CA, US

problem #7

Sep 142020

Jetta Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

2013 VW Jetta Hybrid transmission will randomly put itself in neutral while driving causing loss of power on the street, highway and at intersections disableing the vehicle for anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. Must park vehicle and then restart and attempt to move.

Taken to dealer and they state, a new transmission is needed at 8 thousand dollars. Dealer states recall should have already been issued but VW has delayed and not issued recall.

Safety issue is loss of power and endagers the lives of the driver and passengers.

Happened on two consecutive days and immediately taken to dealer because of safety issue.

- Daniel H., Fair Oaks, US

problem #6

Feb 272020

Jetta Hybrid SEL 1.4L 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,750 miles

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

Driving on highway, suddenly all power to engine ceases. Coasted to shoulder, had towed to closest VW dealer. They say entire transmission is shot & would cost $9500 to fix. Car is 6.5 years old and only 69k miles on it, and otherwise in great shape, but not worth paying almost $10k to replace transmission. Called other local transmission shops, they say hybrid transmissions are too hard to rebuild. Just out of warranty, so it's not covered. Just finished paying it off, now the car is toast. Called VW Customer Care and they say there's nothing they can do, so sorry. So now I'm donating it and buying a new car (not a VW--never again). I see that others have had similar experience with the 2013 Jetta Hybrid transmission failures at low mileage, some within warranty period and some just out like me. Seems to be a problem VW knows about but isn't doing anything about it. Grrr.

- David J., Ellicott City, MD, US

problem #5

Mar 032017

Jetta Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Won't enter into gear. Happened suddenly. Time consuming to get the parts.

- Sungjoon B., Baltimore, MD, US

problem #4

Mar 192019

Jetta Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

June of 2018 my Jetta Hybrid was "pulling" when I drove it and having problems accelerating. The dealership let me know the transmission had been recalled and was covered. 4 months later in October it had the same problem as my car started "pulling" and not accelerating. It was again diagnosed as a problem with the transmission and they were finally able to fix it after being at the dealership for a month.

Now in March of this year, the same "pulling" happened as I exited the highway and the car completely stalled on the access road in rush hour traffic. The dealership replaced the transmission AGAIN. Three times I have felt my safety and my child's safety have been in jeopardy over the last 9 months. So incredibly upset with this purchase and disheartened by the product Volkswagen has put out to consumers.

At this point I am considering filing a lawsuit to receive some compensation for what is obviously a lemon of a car.

- Stephanie B., Little Elm, TX, US

problem #3

Apr 162018

Jetta Hybrid VW

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

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

This is the second VW car I purchased. The first one we had to deal with the scam VW had with their diesel cars. This car was a brand new 2013 hybrid Jetta. We purchased a extended warranty with car. As soon as the warranty expired the transmission died, and they never explained why, they just kept on saying " its an unfortunate event". I had to take it to separate dealerships because each dealership only has one hybrid tech.

Finally 401 Dixie VW was able to diagnose my problem saying that the transmission needs to be replaced and its going to cost me about $4000.00. I gave them the go ahead ant they said it should take a couple of days for it to come in. That was May 31st its now July 5th 2018 and they still cant give me an update! I have been without a car since mid April, so I ended up renting a car which has cost me over $1000. They can't give me a date when my part will come in because it's on national back order from VW manufacture and they don't know when I can get it. When I called customer relations they refused to reimburse me for my rental fee because its out of warranty, which I get but now I have to pay for more money because they don't have the parts in stock.

What I don't understand is why I should have to pay out of my pocket because they can manufacture enough parts. I mean come one it's been over 2 months I have ad no car!!! Their customer service is disgusting.

- mosmer, Oakville, ON, Canada

problem #2

Feb 022016

Jetta Hybrid SEL 1.4L Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,980 miles

This car was repaired under a 2013 recall for transmission problems, but, the problem occurred anyway. Hewlett VW in Georgetown TX said it will cost at least $6000 to repair. The car never has made the MPG promised now it won't move. No replacement transmission in the US currently, will have to be shipped from Europe. Apparently VW searches salvage yards and buys up the wrecked units before they can be parted out.

- Erich G., Rolla, KS, US

problem #1

Apr 152015

Jetta Hybrid SE 1.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Had to have vehicle towed (under my insurance) to dealer for fix which took three days. Dealer stated they had never dealt with the problem before and needed to consult VW US.

- garyinaz, Glendale, AZ, US

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