RoadVitals

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid 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.
79
Latest Jan 29, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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 Jetta Hybrid, 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

  • Engine1413.2%
  • Brakes87.5%
  • Driver assistance65.7%
  • Fuel system43.8%
  • Airbags32.8%
  • Transmission21.9%
  • Visibility21.9%
  • Other / unspecified10.9%
  • Body & structure10.9%
  • Steering10.9%

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

Powertrain (other)

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

55
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 25MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact attempted to shift into another gear however, the vehicle failed to respond. The driver pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several minutes, and the vehicle drove as intended. The vehicle was driven to a nearby dealer, and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train) in 2023; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11568521 · filed Jan 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate and hesitate. The contact stated that the transmission and hybrid warning lights and several other warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off. The contact turned the vehicle on and was able to place the vehicle into drive (D) and began to move forward however, he observed that the check transmission light was blinking. The contact stopped the vehicle shifted into park (P), then shifted into reverse (R) however, the vehicle failed to respond while shifting through PRNDL. The contact turned the vehicle off and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The local dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the mechatronic unit and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID 11552332 · filed Oct 27, 2023
All 55 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

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

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the "Pull Your Vehicle Over Immediately" message appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light, the battery warning light, and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle and drive however, the vehicle would not exceed 60 mph. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID 11428637 · filed Aug 11, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WAS JERKING. THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JIM ELLIS VOLKSWAGEN KENNESAW (950 ERNEST W BARRETT PKWY NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144, 678-616-9946) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID 11414491 · filed Apr 29, 2021
All 14 reports naming engine

Electrical

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

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I DROVE HOME FROM WORK AND THE CAR WAS PERFECTLY FINE. I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE PARKED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE NEXT MORNING I GOT INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE AFTER I LET OFF THE BRAKE. SO I SHIFTED THE CAR BACK INTO PARK AND AS SOON AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD AND THEN THE ENTIRE CAR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ID 11221118 · filed Jun 19, 2019

DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE STALLS THEN SPEEDS UP ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING, THE VEHICLE SURGES WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. THE VW DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS CORROSION OF THE CONTROL MODULE WITHIN THE GEARBOX. THIS WAS THE EXACT PROBLEM THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR UNDER VW RECALL NUMBER 34F6/4V IN NOVEMBER 2013. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN IN DEC. 2013 PER THE RECALL TO CHANGE THE GEARBOX OIL BUT ONLY HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. NOW, THE CORROSION CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE RECALL TRIED TO PREVENT. THE RECALL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COST TO FIX IS $8500! SINCE IT OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD, VW WILL NOT PAY. THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE THAT VW NEEDS TO CORRECT. THE RECALL FIX OF CHANGING THE TYPE OF GEARBOX OIL DID NOT STOP THE CORROSION WHICH DAMAGED THE CONTROL MODULE.

NHTSA ID 11101119 · filed Jun 11, 2018
All 9 reports naming electrical

Brakes

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

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKING IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE NEARLY CAUSES AN ACCIDENT DAILY. CAR SWITCHES BETWEEN REGENERATIVE BRAKING/FRICTION BRAKES CONSTANTLY AND MAKES IT HARD TO PROPERLY SLOW THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL.

NHTSA ID 11078867 · filed Mar 13, 2018

2013 JETTA HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ID 11061788 · filed Jan 17, 2018
All 8 reports naming brakes

Driver assistance

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

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

UPON ACCELERATION ONTO A HIGHWAY OR FROM A LIGHT, THE CAR WILL ONLY ACCELERATE SLIGHTLY, THEN LOSES POWER AND JUST COASTS. IT REQUIRES SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING. THIS IS INTERMITTENT. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ID 11162935 · filed Dec 21, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER SAFELY TO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND THE SERVICE REMINDER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDLAND VOLKSWAGEN OF COLUMBIA (655 BROAD RIVER ROAD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210, 803-988-1000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION OR "E MACHINE" NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEIR MECHANICS WERE NOT SKILLED ENOUGH TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID 11156802 · filed Dec 7, 2018

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

Fuel system

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

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

GASOLINE SMELL WHEN ENGINE STARTS. MORE OFTEN WHEN VERY COLD. ALSO WHEN CAR SHIFTS FROM ELECTRIC MOTOR TO GASOLINE POWER WHEN CAR IS MOVING OR STOPPED. AUTHORIZED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER COULD FIND NO FUEL LEAK WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICE IN MAY 2018. THIS HAS PROBABLY HAPPENED 12 TIMES SINCE 1/1/2019.

NHTSA ID 11175965 · filed Feb 9, 2019

TAKATA RECALL: THE HYBRID SYSTEM FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE ENGINE STILL RAN BUT I COULDN'T DRIVE. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID 11152238 · filed Nov 17, 2018

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn was inoperable. The failure was constant. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the clock spring for the vehicle was on national back order. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID 11490322 · filed Oct 21, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS) IN 2015. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARNET VOLKSWAGEN (1620 WILMINGTON PIKE, WEST CHESTER, PA 19382 (610) 361-8500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CLOCKSPRING FAILURE THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN CLOCKSPRING RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11025356 · filed Sep 25, 2017

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

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MECHATRONIC ACCUMULATOR HOUSING SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 11428963 · filed Aug 13, 2021

2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MECHATRONIC ACCUMULATOR HOUSING SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2019. THE MECHATRONIC ACCUMULATOR HOUSING WAS FAULTY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME STUCK IN PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ID 11427401 · filed Aug 2, 2021

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WIPERS FAIL TO WORK DURING COLD TEMPS...START WORKING AGAIN ONCE IT WARMS UP. HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED AND CAUSED ME TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM FOR OTHER JETTA OWNERS.

NHTSA ID 11065451 · filed Jan 27, 2018

I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A MYSTERY LEAK COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE. THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND HAS SAID THAT IT COULD BE A POSSIBLE LEAK IN THE SUNROOF DRAIN, FRONT WINDSHIELD DRAIN, OR AC CONDENSER DRAIN THAT IS SOMEHOW MANAGING TO LEAK INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN CAUSE SEVERE WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD ISSUES THAT COULD IN TURN CAUSE A HEALTH HAZARD FOR THOSE ALLERGIC OR HAVE ISSUES WITH MOLD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10565584 · filed Feb 24, 2014

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

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into PARK and restarted the vehicle however, while driving, the failure recurred. The hybrid system failure warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as the transmission and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID 11424498 · filed Jul 12, 2021

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

I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A MYSTERY LEAK COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE. THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND HAS SAID THAT IT COULD BE A POSSIBLE LEAK IN THE SUNROOF DRAIN, FRONT WINDSHIELD DRAIN, OR AC CONDENSER DRAIN THAT IS SOMEHOW MANAGING TO LEAK INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN CAUSE SEVERE WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD ISSUES THAT COULD IN TURN CAUSE A HEALTH HAZARD FOR THOSE ALLERGIC OR HAVE ISSUES WITH MOLD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10565584 · filed Feb 24, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V866000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING CEASED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE, THEN TO PIGNATARO VOLKSWAGEN (10633 EVERGREEN WAY, EVERETT, WA 98204) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,936.

NHTSA ID 11383690 · filed Dec 16, 2020

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 .