2013 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems

I would assume the issue had something to do with the power train. 2 days after i had bought the car my wife and i were on our way to the gym and we had just came to a complete stop. Upon entering the highway the car would no longer accelerate no matter how much pressure was put on the accelerator pedal. The engine light also came on. Luckily there were no cars behind me and I was able to pull over with the car moving on its own. This is really dangerous. This has happened to me multiple times. I have taken it back to the dealership i had bought the car from and they have a private mechanic that solely works for the company. He has scanned for any codes and has told me no codes are populating so he’s not sure why the engine light is still on. It was taken to a VW dealership and the vehicle will no longer start. There was an electrical issue at some point and now might be a transmission issue along with other things.

NHTSA ID

11566870

Incident

Oct 15, 2023

I was driving on a rainy day on the freeway where my breaks went out on me. I pressed down all of the way and the car wouldn’t stop. After I let go of the break I then pressed on the break again and they seemed to have locked on me. I ended up using my emergency breaks and was able to get off the freeway and luckily no one was hurt. Soon after they started working again and I was able to get it safely to a near by shop.

NHTSA ID

11509328

Incident

Feb 24, 2023

The car automatically locked its brakes without me even touching the brakes while I was going 60mph and almost lost control. My safety was put at risk because the car locked its brakes without me pushing the breaks, they would not disengage and was stuck in the middle of the road with the brakes not releasing and almost caused an accident. I has happened multiple times but not confirmed by dealer or independent mechanic.The vehicle has been inspected by VW dealer. No warning lights came on the dash.

NHTSA ID

11485904

Incident

Sep 22, 2022

Transmission shifts hard and told to this is a common problem with the Jetta hybrids.

NHTSA ID

11471593

Incident

Jun 27, 2022

On more than one occasion the front left brake seized up. The last time was when I was on a toll road and felt warbling in the tires so I got off on an exit and when I reached the red light the left front brake seized up and the car wouldn't budge. Once the car rested and the brake cooled off I was able to drive it to a safe place and had it towed to the VW dealership who because they couldn't get it to duplicate the issue couldn't tell me what was wrong. It does not happen consistently and I fear to think that if I was doing 55 MPH the car would have caused a horrible accident. In the past when it happened the car would not accelerate over 40 MPH and I could feel the brakes were applying pressure.

NHTSA ID

11465787

Incident

May 7, 2022

The brake system has malfunctioned, and I would be happy for you to inspect it. The brakes come on suddenly when the foot brake is not being applied. The car will not move when this happens, creating a very dangerous situation on the road. I have been stranded in a lane with cars zooming around me. Everyone is at risk. A tech on the VW helpline confirmed the problem with my mechanic and suggested two very expensive fixes which have not resolved the problem. There have been no warning indicators for this problem. It happens randomly and unexpectedly.

NHTSA ID

11458873

Incident

Jan 3, 2022

The transmissions on the 2013-2016 Jetta Hybrids have an extremely high failure rate. These transmissions fail without warning and leave the car without propulsion and deactivate the regenerative brakes causing the car to behave erratically. VW issued a recall (19V866000) but are claiming owners within those model years with the exact same issues are "not covered". I have experienced this myself and you can find many many many examples on the complaints section of this website. VW issued a recall but is claiming everyones vin is not included.

NHTSA ID

11452765

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

The ABS lights go on and the speedometer stopped working and all the lights have activated. the abs module has been reported that there is a defect in most of the jettas and so i believe that this should be a recall issue.

NHTSA ID

11445121

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

THE BRAKE DID NOT APPLY. AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WAS IN "R" (REVERSE), THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP.

NHTSA ID

11395896

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN ELECTRICALLY, AS IF A FUSE SHORTED, ALMOST ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WENT UNRESPONSIVE, NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION. ONCE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT WAS TURNED OFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, THE SAME DASHBOARD LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 40MPH, CREATING ANOTHER ACCIDENT RISK DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE HOME.

NHTSA ID

11384295

Incident

Dec 19, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE MECHATRONIC UNIT HAD ALREADY HAD TO BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE 2ND ISSUE HAPPENED I WAS AT THE STOPLIGHT IN THE CAR LOST ALL MOVEMENT POWER THE AC AND ALL THE INSTRUMENTS WERE ALSO WORKING DOOR LOCKS WINDOWS EVERYTHING I GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT WAS THE ELECTRIC MOTOR QUOTED ME NEARLY $12000

NHTSA ID

11376880

Incident

Nov 30, 2018

Mileage

177,000 mi

HYBRID MODULE WORK SHOP WARNING. THE CAR HAS NOW POWER BREAKS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR UNDER PERFORMS WHEN THE ELECTRIC DRIVE DOES NOT WORK. NO POWER BRAKES ADD TO THE PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 2 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT A DRIVE ABILITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. VW HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL WITH A SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID

11307892

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

MY 18 YEAR WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A SIDE STREET WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYBODY BY PULLING TO THE SIDE AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO DRIFT TO A STOP. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 43000 MILES AND JUST CAME OUT OF WARRANTY LESS THAN 9 MONTHS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD FAILED. VW REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $1000. VW INSISTS THIS IS NOT A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES DESPITE THE FACT THAT COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM ARE PREVALENT ON THE INTERNET.

NHTSA ID

11166316

Incident

Dec 27, 2018

Mileage

43,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STAYED GOING AT THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING IT WOULD NOT EXHILARATE OR BRAKE IT STAYED FROZEN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES

NHTSA ID

11097146

Incident

May 12, 2018

Mileage

76,000 mi

BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY

NHTSA ID

10903055

Incident

Aug 24, 2016

Mileage

109,000 mi

MY CAR DISPLAYS NO PROBLEMS ON THE DASH, THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON BUT WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR STALLS AND SOMETIMES JUST SHUTS OFF LOCKING MY BRAKES AND STEERING. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS GOING UNDER 20MPH. AFTER IT SHUTS OF I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK TO RESTART AND IT RESTARTS WITHOUT A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10893236

Incident

Aug 3, 2016

Mileage

66,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR REVERSE, IT WOULD JERK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ID

10855562

Incident

Jul 13, 2015

Mileage

43,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH, THE ELECTRICAL BOARD BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. ALL OF THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SAFETY PIN THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL BOARD WAS NOT FULLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ID

10621920

Incident

Aug 20, 2013

Mileage

3,000 mi

I WENT THROUGH SOME WATER (NOT MUCH) ANDTHEN WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT I STOPPED THE CAR. AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE OF BEING STOPPED THE CAR STALLED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE BATTERY IS NEW AND I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN DECEMBER 2013 AND IT IS A YEAR MODEL 2013. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL NOW. I WENT TO TURN A CORNER AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, CAR STALLED, AND STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS ISSUE IS, BUT THE CAR IS ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD (IF EVEN THAT). VERY FRUSTRATING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10599015

Incident

Jun 17, 2014

Mileage

38,000 mi

ATTEMPTED TO USE MY BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DIDN'T STOP THE CAR. UPON THE SECOND OR THIRD PUMP, IT DID FINALLY ENGAGE. THIS DELAY IN THE BRAKE CAUSED ME TO RUN A STOP SIGN. I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS AROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10586790

Incident

May 4, 2014

Mileage

10,950 mi

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC, THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,857. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10561657

Incident

Jan 3, 2014

WHEN DRIVING MY JETTA IN "S" (SPORT SELECTION ON THE TRANSMISSION) ON A SURFACE STREET I CAME TO A RED LIGHT. I STARTED BRAKING AND THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY AND UNRESPONSIVE. I TRIED PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MORE FORCE BUT WAS NOT GETTING MUCH BRAKING RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE TOOK A VERY LONG DISTANCE TO RESPOND COMPARED TO ITS RESPONSE TIME WHEN IN "D" (DRIVE SELECTION ON THE TRANSMISSION). LUCKY I AM AN EARLY BARKER AND THERE WAS NOT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SO THE VEHICLE ONLY WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE IT STOPPED. WHEN FINALLY AT A STOP I KEPT STEADY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SINKING TOWARDS THE FLOOR BOARD. IT FELT LIKE IT DOES WHEN YOU ARE BLEEDING AIR OUT OF THE LINES. WHILE AT THE STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK FURTHER, AT FIRST SLOWLY, AND THEN WITH ONE FINAL QUICK MOVEMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE CAR. THE ONLY TIME I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF BRAKE ACTIVITY IS WITH OLDER CARS WHEN ONE IS PERFORMING THE TASK OF BLEEDING THE BRAKES. IF I HAD BEEN TAPPED FROM BEHIND THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN SENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. DURING THIS INCIDENT I NOTICED THAT THE TACHOMETER WAS RUNNING AT 900 RPM EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS AT A "COMPLETE", OR BETTER STATED, THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO ADDITIONAL BRAKING PRESSURE AVAILABLE. I FEEL VERY UNSURE AND UNSAFE WHEN I GO TO USE MY BRAKES AND HAVE TO ALLOW SEVERAL EXTRA CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME TO ENSURE THAT I AM ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10542648

Incident

Sep 7, 2013

Mileage

2,186 mi