RoadVitals

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
16
Latest Aug 9, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 516 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Aug 9, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported

Airbags did not deploy..as per police report

NHTSA ID
11755733
Incident
Apr 17, 2026
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that whenever the temperature fell below 20 degrees, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact stated that the Body Control Module (BCM) had previously been replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the Body Control Module (BCM) needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,900.

NHTSA ID
11651070
Incident
Jan 8, 2025
Mileage
134,900 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 2, 2024

I was driving and out of no where l.the sunroof exploded . We didn't hit anything or nothing hit us it was crazy

NHTSA ID
11563162
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Jan 22, 2019

TAKATA RECALL, THE DOORS OPENING MECHANISM IN COLD WEATHER WON'T ALLOW YOU TO CLOSE YOUR DOOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO VOLKSWAGEN SINCE AT LEAST THE 2000S MODELS. I HAD JUST WENT OUT OF MY HOUSE AND GOTTEN INTO MY CAR WHEN I NOTICE THAT THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT WOULD FROM THE INSIDE. I THEN WENT TO CLOSE MY DOOR AND IT WOULDN'T CLOSE. ABOUT AN HOUR OF MY CAR ON WITH THE HEAT ON FULL BLAST THE DOOR WAS FINALLY ABOUT TO CLICK SHUT.

NHTSA ID
11171314
Incident
Jan 21, 2019
Mileage
69,400 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 6, 2018

INOPERATIVE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK WHEN LOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB REMOTE. DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB, NOR WILL IT WITH THE BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR. IT WILL ONLY LOCK WITH THE KEY SOMETIMES. BUT EVEN THEN, PROBABLY 50% OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T LOCK WITH THAT. CAR WILL NOT LOCK WHILE YOU ARE SITTING INSIDE, OR DRIVING. NOT VERY SAFE WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH DANGEROUS CITIES'.. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE UNAWARE WHEN THIS DEFECT IS NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO LOCK YOUR DOOR, IF NEEDED. ISN'T THAT WHAT A LOCK IS FOR- SAFETY AND SECURITY? THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE- WITHIN PREVIOUS YEARS. VOLKSWAGEN IS OBVIOUSLY JUST REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE VW MECHANIC, HE SEEMED VERY WELL AWARE OF THIS VOLKSWAGEN ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11149718
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Dec 26, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

I HIT A TREE ON A CITY STREET AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY THAT TIME EITHER AND I HAD A CUT ON MY HEAD I HAD INJURY TO MY KNEE AND MY ACHILLES TENDON BOTH OF WHICH RESULTED IN SURGERIES. I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER ACCIDENTS SINCE NEITHER TIME NEITHER I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER ACCIDENTS SINCE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH OF THOSE WERE IN PARKING LOTS. I AM 84 AND HAVE FALLEN TWICE SINCE THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF MY INJURIES AND SUSTAINED HEAD TRAUMA AND MEMORY LOSS. I WILL TRY TO LOCATE THE ACCIDENT DATE. IT WAS IN 2016.

NHTSA ID
11056713
Incident
Jan 31, 2016
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 30, 2016
1 injury reported

CAR JOLTS ON FREEWAY. DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PROTECTOR FELL OFF. AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO GRAB FALLEN OFF PIECE OVER EXTENDED ARM INJURY. DUE TO EXTENDING ARM OUT WINDOW

NHTSA ID
10920086
Incident
Oct 8, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 30, 2016

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WIND, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PLASTIC PROTECTOR FELL OFF. THE AC UNIT NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT COSTING 1600 AND NOW THE IDEAL WHILE TURNING ON CAR IS VERY HIGH. SOUND ALMOST LIKE IT DID WHEN I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL RECALL IN THE LAST YEARS. DOORS ARE SQUEAK WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. AND WHILE DRIVING A NOISE THAT SOUND LIKE CHAINS RATTLES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WHICH IS A VERY IRRITATING SOUND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10920084
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
52,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 20, 2016

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WIND, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR PLASTIC PROTECTOR FELL OFF. THE AC UNIT NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT COSTING 1600 AND NOW THE IDEAL WHILE TURNING ON CAR IS VERY HIGH. SOUND ALMOST LIKE IT DID WHEN I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE ELECTRICAL RECALL IN THE LAST YEARS. DOORS ARE SQUEAK WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. AND WHILE DRIVING A NOISE THAT SOUND LIKE CHAINS RATTLES THROUGH OUT THE CAR WHICH IS A VERY IRRITATING SOUND.

NHTSA ID
10886167
Incident
Jul 20, 2016
Mileage
68,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE TURNING RIGHT INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUMPER SHATTERED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING SNOWY, INCLEMENT WEATHER AND THERE WAS NO PRESSURE DUE TO THE SNOW ON THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10821081
Incident
Jan 18, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 12, 2016

TAKATA RECALL THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS NOT OPENED. SO, I GO TO PASSENGER SIDE AND OPEN THAT DOOR. AFTER OPENED NOT CLOSED EITHER. THE SUCH AS DOOR PROBLEM CAN FIND FROM OTHER PEOPLE EITHER IN SAME CAR OWNER. AND ALSO, WHEN USING REMOTE TO MAKE LOCK THE DOOR, OTHER DOORS LOCKED BUT THIS DOOR STILL CAN OPEN.

NHTSA ID
10819576
Incident
Jan 11, 2016
Mileage
60,400 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD BEEN MOVED OUT OF SPECIFICATION BECAUSE THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE ALIGNMENT COULD BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS DAMAGED BY AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT EVERY TIME IT STRUCK A POTHOLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IS HOW THE SUBFRAME WAS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10723132
Incident
Jun 2, 2015
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jan 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT LATCH. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,785. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10672646
Incident
Jan 15, 2015
Mileage
20,785 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical+1 more
Filed Dec 11, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS STOPPED AT A SOLID RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I GOT THE GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE (VEHICLE #2) CROSSED MY PATH OF TRAVEL ON THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE AND VEHICLE #2 DRIVER'S SIDE CRASHED INTO MY FRONT END. MY VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND COUNTER CLOCKWISE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF VEHICLE #2. AS A RESULT OF THIS CRASH MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE AND PIECES AND PARTS WERE STREWN ALL OVER THE ROAD. FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE OPERATED POST-COLLISION. WITH THE HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663732
Incident
Dec 7, 2014
Mileage
15,700 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Sep 26, 2014

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY, NO OTHER CARS NEARBY, NOTHING OVERHEAD, NO APPARENT REASON, IT JUST BLEW UP THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY MY 5 AND 6 YEAR OLD WERE NOT IN THE BACKSEAT :) *TR

NHTSA ID
10639467
Incident
Sep 26, 2014
Mileage
11,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 22, 2013

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER BUYING THIS NEW VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT HUNDREDS OF FOGGY LOOKING SPOTS WOULD APPEAR IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY. WHEN THESE SPOTS APPEAR IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THIS WINDSHIELD OR INTO IT . THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AROUND DAWN AND AROUND DUSK THOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES OF THE DAY ALSO. I HAVE PURSUED HAVING THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED BY CONTACTING THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO BE TOLD IT IS BECAUSE OF THE WINDOW BEING POLARIZED AND THAT THE WINDOW IS UP TO MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. PRETTY MUCH THEY HAVE TOLD ME, TOO BAD THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. I HAVE EXPRESSED TO THE DEALER AND TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU CAN NOT SEE OUT OF OR IN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THESE FOGGY SPOTS ARE THERE. AFTER MONTHS OF TRYING TO GET THEM TO AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY FINALLY SENT AN EXECUTIVE DOWN TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEIR LAST TIME I HEARD FROM THEM, THEY SAID THEY WOULD TINT THE REAR WINDSHIELD SO THAT I WOULDN'T SEE THE PROBLEM. TO ME THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE. IF YOU TRY TO COVER UP THE PROBLEM YOU DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER UP A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND IGNORING SAFETY ISSUES. I DON'T KNOW WHO TO TALK TO OR WHERE TO GO FROM HERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH THEM. I AM READING ABOUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS IN VW FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND AM SURE THERE MUST BE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND AM WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE SENT COMPLAINTS INTO THIS DEPARTMENT ALSO. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504086
Incident
Dec 14, 2012
Mileage
255 mi

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .