2013 Volkswagen GTI Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen GTI, 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
- Engine1229.3%
- Fuel system717.1%
- Powertrain (other)512.2%
- Airbags49.8%
- Electrical37.3%
- Visibility37.3%
- Driver assistance24.9%
- Brakes24.9%
- Body & structure24.9%
- Tires & wheels12.4%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'M ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING UPHILL AND THE TEMPERATURE RED LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. I DECIDED TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE FLASHING LIGHT HAD ME CONCERNED. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STAYED AT NORMAL POSITION SO I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME. I WAITED AWHILE AND THEN CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS DOWN TO THE BOTTOM BARELY ANY LEFT. SO I BOUGHT THE RECOMMENDED COOLANT BY VW AND FILLED IT UP TO LEVEL. I DROVE THE NEXT DAY AND PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY AND LATER THAT DAY I SAW COOLANT PUDDLE ON CONCRETE DRIPPED FROM ENGINE. I SUSPECT IT'S THE WATER PUMP AGAIN. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BEFORE WITH COOLING SYSTEM TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP DEALT WITH IT BY REPLACING WATER PUMP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLACE WATER PUMP AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE FIND THE LEAK AND TAKE PICTURES. IT SEEMS TO BE LEAKING NEAR THE WATER PUMP. SO RIGHT NOW I'M FILLING COOLANT ALMOST EVERYDAY UNTIL I CAN GET TO THE DEALERSHIP.
INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2015. IN LATE 2019 THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A SERVICE ENGINE WARNING WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AGAIN. OUT OF WARRANTY THE SERVICE COST ME IN EXCESS OF $1000. I SEE THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED ON OLDER YEARS FOR THE SAME EXACT REASON BUT NOT THE 2013. THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'VE STARTED TO NOTICE THAT AFTER DRIVING MY CAR AND USING THE DSG SHIFTER OR SPORT MODE, MY CAR WILL NOT START BACK UP FOR A WHILE AFTER PARKED. SEEMS ONLY TO HAPPEN AFTER WARM ENGINE. I WILL START THE CAR AND THEN IT WILL SPUTTER BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OR MAYBE LONGER, I AM ABLE TO CRANK IT AND DRIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEFTIN WESTLAKE VOLKSWAGEN (3550 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362, (805) 497-9404) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. UPON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THAT AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DSG automatic transmission started going into neutral at various speeds and driving conditions. It feels as though the clutch disengages momentarily, causing the vehicle to slow down and engine to rev. This is definitely not safe when trying to merge or drive on the highway. This is a know issue with VW DSG transmissions and warranted a safety recall on earlier vehicles. My vehicle is newer than the recall so VW has no obligation to help me. They inspected the car and told me it needed a transmission replacement, but that the transmission is no longer produced or available. I would need to source a used transmission and try my luck. It is unacceptable that VW has no liability in this issue that is known, common and a real safety issue.
WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE PUTS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL WAS TOLD NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNLESS IT'S ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPLICATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON EARLIER MODELS THAT RESULTED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERNS. DID CONTACT DEALER AND VOA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A POLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER, FRONT PASSENGER, AND SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED DUE TO FRONTAL LOBE DAMAGE, DISLOCATION OF THE SPINE, AORTA DAMAGE, AND LACERATIONS OF THE LIVER. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS AND INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND EYES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DETERMINATION OF THE FAILURE THAT LED TO THE COLLISION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE DEATH OF HER SON. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT THE TYPE OF AIR BAGS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT WENT ON. ALL ELECTRONICS ON STEERING WHEEL, INCLUDING HORN STOPPED WORKING. VW DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS SAY THAT CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND WANT $654 TO FIX IT. THIS VEHICLE WAS ALREADY SERVICED UNDER CLOCK SPRING FAILURE RECALL IN 2015 (NHTSA CAMPAIN NUMBER: 15V483000).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COMMUNICATION WAS LOST WITH THE GEAR BOX. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, SHUT OFF, AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY AUTO WORLD VOLKSWAGEN (910-867-7000, LOCATED AT 3810 SYCAMORE DAIRY RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH ANYONE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
CAR WAS DRIVEN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. FIRST NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, STOPPED THE CAR, MORE AND MORE SMOKE CAME OUT AND COULDN'T EVEN SEE ANYTHING IF ANYONE WERE TO BE IN THE CAR. NOTICE SOME FIRE START TO APPEAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, CALLED 911. THE ENTIRE HOOD WAS ON FIRE BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. IT SEEMED THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN EXPLOSION IF FIREFIGHTERS WERE TO ARRIVE A MINUTE LATER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RIGHT SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS MOUNTED DEEPLY IN ITS PLASTIC HOUSING. WHEN THE MIRROR IS PROPERLY ADJUSTED, APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE REFLECTED IMAGE IS OF THE MIRROR'S HOUSING ITSELF, LEAVING A SIGNIFICANT BLIND SPOT. *TR
THE WINDSHIELD HAS MANY CHIPS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE GLASS IS HIGHLY AFFECTED BY SMALL ROAD DEBRIS (ROCKS, SALT) WHICH CAUSES THE GLASS TO CHIP EASILY. IT IS BECOMING A DISTRACTION WHILE I DRIVE. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR WAS DRIVEN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. FIRST NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, STOPPED THE CAR, MORE AND MORE SMOKE CAME OUT AND COULDN'T EVEN SEE ANYTHING IF ANYONE WERE TO BE IN THE CAR. NOTICE SOME FIRE START TO APPEAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, CALLED 911. THE ENTIRE HOOD WAS ON FIRE BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. IT SEEMED THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN EXPLOSION IF FIREFIGHTERS WERE TO ARRIVE A MINUTE LATER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEFTIN WESTLAKE VOLKSWAGEN (3550 AUTO MALL DR, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362, (805) 497-9404) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. UPON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THAT AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT MY BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGING UNTIL MY PEDAL WAS PUSHED WELL OVER HALF WAY DOWN. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. I STARTED NOTICING THAT IF I PUMPED MY BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE REALLY WAS NOT SAFE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TIRES PLUS REPAIR SHOP WHO BELIEVED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BAD AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES STILL WERE NOT EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING. AT THAT POINT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS HAD GOTTEN REPLACED AND EVEN AFTER THAT, NOTHING HAD IMPROVED. TIRES PLUS DECIDED THE CAR NEEDED TO GO TO VOLKSWAGEN BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAR AND INSISTED THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES AND THAT THE WAY MY BRAKE PEDAL FELT WAS NORMAL. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS ISN'T TRUE AND THE SERVICE CENTER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY CONCERNS. IN RESPONSE I WAS TOLD THAT I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK AND THAT MUCH DEAD PEDAL TRAVEL IS NORMAL. I PICKED MY CAR UP AND AFTER A WEEK MY BRAKES HAD GOTTEN WORSE AND THEY CONTINUE TO GET WORSE. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS STILL NOT ENGAGING MY BRAKES UNTIL OVER HALFWAY THROUGH THE PEDAL TRAVEL AND ONCE THE BRAKES DO ENGAGE THE PEDAL IS VERY STIFF. I AGAIN EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR SIMPLY YELLED AT ME AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT I NEEDED TO JUST LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS. AND YET THEY HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY CAR BECAUSE THEY DENIED TO DO SO. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO TWO OTHER REPAIR SHOPS WHO INSIST THERE IS AN ISSUE BUT COULD NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND INSIST VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO DEEPLY LOOK INTO MY CARS BRAKING SYSTEM BUT VOLKSWAGEN WON'T DO FURTHER INVESTIGATING INTO THE BRAKES.
THE VEHICLE WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND STARTED BEEPING WITH WARNING LIGHT THAT SAID "BRAKES SERVICE NOW" AND BOTH BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS WERE ON. I TOOK IT TO SHOULDER TO CHECK. THE CAR HAD ONLY 33000 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE OKAY THOUGH. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO UPON INSPECTION SAID THE ABS CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY AND NEEDS REPLACING. HE QUOTED 3300 FOR THE REPAIR. UPON CHECKING, HE SAID THE IT FAILED NOT BECAUSE OF ANY USER ERROR, AND THE CONTROL UNIT SHOULD LAST A LONG TIME. LOOKS LIKE THERE WERE RECALLS FOR VW CAR FROM 2008-2009 FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED ON THE HIGHWAY.
CAR WAS DRIVEN IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. FIRST NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, STOPPED THE CAR, MORE AND MORE SMOKE CAME OUT AND COULDN'T EVEN SEE ANYTHING IF ANYONE WERE TO BE IN THE CAR. NOTICE SOME FIRE START TO APPEAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, CALLED 911. THE ENTIRE HOOD WAS ON FIRE BY THE TIME FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. IT SEEMED THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN EXPLOSION IF FIREFIGHTERS WERE TO ARRIVE A MINUTE LATER.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS MY SECOND GTI. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OR THE TIRES BUT IN 15000 MILES I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 7 TIRES WITH BUBBLES OR DAMAGED VERY EASILY. (AT THE SAME TIME I LEASED THIS CAR I LEASED A SECOND ONE THAT HAS 30000 MILES AND HAS HAD ONLY 1 TIRE PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VW AND I AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TODAY AGAIN AS THEY RETURNED IT ON FRIDAY AND AS SOON AS I DROVE A FEW MILES IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC THE TIRE LIGHT WENT OFF. I AM NOT DRIVING THIS CAR AGAIN UNTIL VW ASSURES ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM . THEY BLAME IT ON THE LOW PROFILE TIRES BUT I HAD THE SAME CAR AND TIRE SIZE IN MY PREVIOUS GTI AND DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TIRE INSURANCE SO I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TIRES BUT THERE IS A LOT OF TIME WASTED BESIDES THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .