RoadVitals

2013 Volkswagen Golf Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
Latest Feb 10, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Golf, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1421.2%
  • Airbags913.6%
  • Electrical710.6%
  • Brakes57.6%
  • Steering57.6%
  • Suspension46.1%
  • Driver assistance34.5%
  • Tires & wheels11.5%
  • Body & structure11.5%
  • Exterior lighting11.5%
  • Other / unspecified11.5%
  • Powertrain (other)11.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

i was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my EPC went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) i lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph i couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to entire car shutting down .i was almost smashed by a semi due to inability to steer my vehicle to total loss of power . i got the vehicle towed to a service shop they tell me that my timing chain had stretched and timing chain tensioner has failed, which caused significant damage to my engine . i bought the vehicle used and have taken meticulous car on it since i have owned it 3k oil changes ,proper oil ,proper, premium gas as notated milage based maintenance. the service center then notifies me that there was a class action lawsuit about failing timing chains and tensioners but when i called my local volkswagon dealership they told me it only covers up to125,000 miles but what i don't understand is that this issue almost cost me my life this is a known issue hence a class action lawsuit but to actually take care of the situation they refuse to do so i do enjoy the vehicle but i almost lost my life

NHTSA ID 11506679 · filed Feb 10, 2023

Car shut off while driving on the freeway at a high rate of speed. EPS and Check Engine light came on. Luckily was able to pull over without hurting anyone. Local repair shop said it is the timing chain system.

NHTSA ID 11450468 · filed Feb 4, 2022
All 14 reports naming engine

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

i was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my EPC went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) i lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph i couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to entire car shutting down .i was almost smashed by a semi due to inability to steer my vehicle to total loss of power . i got the vehicle towed to a service shop they tell me that my timing chain had stretched and timing chain tensioner has failed, which caused significant damage to my engine . i bought the vehicle used and have taken meticulous car on it since i have owned it 3k oil changes ,proper oil ,proper, premium gas as notated milage based maintenance. the service center then notifies me that there was a class action lawsuit about failing timing chains and tensioners but when i called my local volkswagon dealership they told me it only covers up to125,000 miles but what i don't understand is that this issue almost cost me my life this is a known issue hence a class action lawsuit but to actually take care of the situation they refuse to do so i do enjoy the vehicle but i almost lost my life

NHTSA ID 11506679 · filed Feb 10, 2023

THE GTI STARTED MAKING CLACKING SOUNDS, AND SHAKING WHILE ON BUT STOPPED. THEN THE EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. AFTERWARDS, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL AND WOULD SHAKE A LOT MORE. WHEN TAKEN TO AUTOZONE FOR DIAGNOSTICS OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE REPORT READ: "PERFORM ENGINE DE-CARBON PROCEDURE." THE COIL PACKS WERE FINE.

NHTSA ID 11098409 · filed May 29, 2018
All 14 reports naming fuel system

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The steering wheel clock spring was replaced on my vehicle as part of a recall in May 2016 by a local VW dealer. Within the last month I've received an "Error: Airbag" notification on my dash. My mechanic scanned the Air Bag Control Module for codes and there was 1 in memory: B1000 Igniter for Driver's Air Bag, Resistance Too Large". I understand that the defective Air bag clock spring replacement part is unavailable as it has been nationally on back order for the past year, and 7,000 vehicles are waiting for the part. This issue has affected everything controlled through the steering wheel, including my horn, making the otherwise perfectly good car unsafe and perhaps illegal to drive. Both the dealership and VW of American Customer Care have been unable to offer me an interim solution (at least offering a horn).

NHTSA ID 11471720 · filed Jun 30, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH SUNNYVALE VOLKSWAGEN (1025 E EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, 408-739-7321) AND WAS INFORMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11257350 · filed Sep 23, 2019
All 9 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

i was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my EPC went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) i lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph i couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to entire car shutting down .i was almost smashed by a semi due to inability to steer my vehicle to total loss of power . i got the vehicle towed to a service shop they tell me that my timing chain had stretched and timing chain tensioner has failed, which caused significant damage to my engine . i bought the vehicle used and have taken meticulous car on it since i have owned it 3k oil changes ,proper oil ,proper, premium gas as notated milage based maintenance. the service center then notifies me that there was a class action lawsuit about failing timing chains and tensioners but when i called my local volkswagon dealership they told me it only covers up to125,000 miles but what i don't understand is that this issue almost cost me my life this is a known issue hence a class action lawsuit but to actually take care of the situation they refuse to do so i do enjoy the vehicle but i almost lost my life

NHTSA ID 11506679 · filed Feb 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat overheated and burned the occupant. The burn injuries were minor and there was no medical attention sought. The contact mentioned that the front passenger side fan was failing as well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no failure was determined. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and the contact was informed that the rear passenger’s side door had mildew and mold and that there was a leak that caused electrical damage inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ID 11481068 · filed Aug 24, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY VW WAS RETROFITTED AS REQUIRED TO MEET FEDERAL EMISSION AND CALIFORNIA STANDARDS FOLLOWING THE VW EMISSIONS SCANDAL RELATED TO VW DIESEL VEHICLES. MY CAR'S ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DEALER REPORTS IT NEEDS A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER. HOWEVER, THE PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. THE EMISSIONS ARE NOW OUT OF COMPLIANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID 11321438 · filed Apr 17, 2020

ON TWO OCCASIONS, ABOUT TWO WEEKS APART, THE POWER CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN ONCE OR TWICE, THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, AND THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. ON THE FIRST OF THESE OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER FIRST STARTING THE CAR THAT DAY. THE SECOND WAS ALSO ON A CITY STREET. THIS ALSO OCCURRED JUST AFTER STARTING, WHILE TURNING A CORNER. ON A THIRD OCCASION, ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED TWO INCIDENTS, THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER WAS DIMINISHED, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT CUT OUT TOTALLY. THIS OCCURRED ON AN EXPRESSWAY, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR SOME TIME. AFTER DROPPING IN SPEED, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. BOTH PROBLEMS WOULD APPEAR TO BE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT AS THERE WAS NO LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11025069 · filed Sep 22, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ON TWO OCCASIONS, ABOUT TWO WEEKS APART, THE POWER CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN ONCE OR TWICE, THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, AND THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. ON THE FIRST OF THESE OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER FIRST STARTING THE CAR THAT DAY. THE SECOND WAS ALSO ON A CITY STREET. THIS ALSO OCCURRED JUST AFTER STARTING, WHILE TURNING A CORNER. ON A THIRD OCCASION, ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED TWO INCIDENTS, THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER WAS DIMINISHED, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT CUT OUT TOTALLY. THIS OCCURRED ON AN EXPRESSWAY, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR SOME TIME. AFTER DROPPING IN SPEED, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. BOTH PROBLEMS WOULD APPEAR TO BE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT AS THERE WAS NO LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11025069 · filed Sep 22, 2017

I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS FOR PEOPLE COULD GO AROUND ME SO I COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO SAFETY. AS SOON AS THE CAR DIED I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. ONCE I DID THAT A BUNCH OF LIGHTS CAME ON AND GOT A CLICKING SOUND ONCE I TURNED THE KEY. I THEN QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO CROSS A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. I TOLD DEALER AND THEY WROTE IT UP BUT FOUND NOTHING. *JS

NHTSA ID 10690751 · filed Feb 25, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID 11348926 · filed Aug 12, 2020

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ID 11329634 · filed Jun 18, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE EPC STARTED COMING ON, IT LOSES POWER AND SOMETIMES CUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. MY SPEED SLOWS DOWN TO 3 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ID 11005491 · filed Jul 15, 2017

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60MPH) ENGINE SHUT DOWN ABRUBTLY AND GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS RESULTED IN HAVING TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH DIFFICULTY IN STEERING AND BRAKING TO NARROW SHOULDER AREA. ENGINE WOULD CRANK OVER BUT NOT RESTART. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSIS IS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID 10899262 · filed Aug 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

OUR VW GOLF CAME WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT TIRES. WITH LESS THAN 9300 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. AS WE ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON RAMP, OUR TIRE INDICATOR LIT UP TELLING US TO CHECK THE TIRES. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, IN A HIGH SPEED ZONE LIMITED TO ONE LANE BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION, WITH NO SHOULDER, OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, LEAVING US WITH LIMITED CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND FEW OPTIONS TO AVOID A CRASH THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HUGE PILE UP AND FATALITIES. CHECKING A WEBSITE REGARDING CONTINENTAL TIRES AT CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM, I SEE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES FAILING AT LOW MILEAGES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10626286 · filed Aug 19, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR , THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TURNED DIM. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DOES WHEN THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD BUT SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I LEFT TO GET TO THE PHONE , FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I GOT TO A PHONE AS SOON AS I COULD AND CALLED 911. THE CAR WAS PARKED DOWN THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE BECAUSE OF A SNOW STORM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10564035 · filed Feb 12, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The low beam headlamp burned out. I replaced the bulb successfully, but then the headlamp needed adjustment to be aimed properly with the new bulb. I found instructions online to aim the headlamp. There are three adjustment points, covering both low and high beams, according to the online document. I will try to attach photo of this document. The three adjustments are labeled as: L1, L2H2, and L3. On my VW, there is no adjustment available for location shown as L3. I even drilled into the plastic headlamp housing looking for the hidden adjustment point, but there was none. As a consequence, I am unable to aim that headlamp properly: either the low beam is pointing too high or the high beam is pointing too low. I believe this presents a safety issue at night. To me, it is unbelievable that VW eliminated the L3 adjustment on this vehicle. As I said, the position of the L3 adjustment point was molded over at the factory, there was no opening for adjustment. That's why I drilled into the area, and still found no adjustment point. I have no idea how many other VW vehicles are impacted by this shortcoming, the owners will not find out until the headlamp burns out and there is no way to adjust the replacement lamp. This is a latent defect in design/manufacture.

NHTSA ID 11500133 · filed Jan 4, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

OUR VW GOLF CAME WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT TIRES. WITH LESS THAN 9300 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. AS WE ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON RAMP, OUR TIRE INDICATOR LIT UP TELLING US TO CHECK THE TIRES. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, IN A HIGH SPEED ZONE LIMITED TO ONE LANE BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION, WITH NO SHOULDER, OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, LEAVING US WITH LIMITED CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND FEW OPTIONS TO AVOID A CRASH THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HUGE PILE UP AND FATALITIES. CHECKING A WEBSITE REGARDING CONTINENTAL TIRES AT CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM, I SEE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES FAILING AT LOW MILEAGES. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10626286 · filed Aug 19, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND SHUT-OFF WITH THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED A TOW TRUCK TRIED TO BOOST THE BATTERY AND IT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO RESTART. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ID 11400370 · filed Mar 11, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .