2013 Volkswagen Jetta Powertrain (other) Problems

I am submitting this complaint regarding Safety Recall 34J6, which is listed as INCOMPLETE for my 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. I brought my vehicle to Volkswagen of Murfreesboro, Tennessee to have this recall performed. The dealership refused to complete the repair, claiming it was “too old” — a statement that is factually and legally incorrect. Federal law and NHTSA regulations require manufacturers and their dealerships to repair open safety recalls at no cost, with no expiration. The dealership’s refusal is a direct violation of these requirements and represents a serious safety risk to me and potentially to other drivers. I have already contacted Volkswagen Customer CARE, but the dealership has refused to perform the recall despite clear evidence that it remains open. Their inaction demonstrates noncompliance with federal safety regulations and unlawful denial of a mandated repair. I request that NHTSA investigate Volkswagen of Murfreesboro for refusal to perform a federally required recall, ensure that my vehicle receives the required repair immediately, and take appropriate enforcement action to prevent further violations. This behavior is unacceptable and poses a significant public safety risk.

NHTSA ID

11703821

Incident

Dec 8, 2025

While driving the vehicle at about 20mph about a week ago, the check hybrid light began flashing. After stopping and restarting the vehicle, the check engine light came on. The vehicle has been diagnosed at a Volkswagen dealership service center as leaking hydraulic fluid from the transmission mechatronics control unit and needing a new transmission and hydraulic pump. This vehicle is not included on the Safety Recall Code: 34J6.

NHTSA ID

11702517

Incident

Nov 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the compliance recall Campaign Number: 3M02 was completed. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle was in drive(D), the key came out smoothly. Additionally, the contact stated upon starting the vehicle and entering the key in the ignition switch, the Electronic Power Control (EPC) and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the recall failed to fix the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11631281

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

Mileage

55,000 mi

Vehicle can be shut off even when gear shifter is not in P position.

NHTSA ID

11623716

Incident

Apr 30, 2023

UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION As I was accelerating to enter traffic on the expressway the engine lost partial power. I reduced accelerator pressure, and then the engine seemed to recover. I then reapplied pressure to the accelerator, and it seemed normal but when I put in the clutch to shift, the engine accelerated beyond redline. I completed the shift, and car began to accelerate rapidly. I tapped the accelerator, and the acceleration stopped, and then after about 3 seconds it began to accelerate again. I attempted to reduce acceleration with brakes, but it was only partially effective. The only way to effectively reduce acceleration was to take the car out of gear. (thankfully this was a manual transmission) When I shifted into neutral, engine RPMs would exceed redline. The excessive RPMs ultimately destroyed the engine (Big bang, lots of smoke). In hindsight I would have turned the ignition off but did not think to at the time.. The safety implications are obvious. This event occurred without warning and under normal driving conditions. I suspect an engine sensor anomaly combined with computer software failure. (Maybe an RPM sensor?) Specific cause is unknown, and situation cannot be recreated since the engine has failed. The Diesel Particulate Filter warning light was on, and had been on for several weeks. It did not clear using the recommended remediation in the manual. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer or other interested parties, but is available for inspection. (This is one of the vehicles recalled for “diesel-gate” purchased from VW after reprogramming)

NHTSA ID

11615745

Incident

Sep 16, 2024

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11596541

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

I bought a 2013 VW Jetta Hybrid in 2015 from a VW dealer with ~15,000 miles on it. Question #1: In December 2017, the power train system/transmission failed and my car lost power and I was unable to drive it. Now, in May 2024, the transmission is failing again and VW had stated that it needs to be replaced for a second time, and they quoted me roughly $10,000 for the repair. Question #2: VW issued a safety recall that mentions "hairline cracks in the transmission gearbox which can cause a decrease in oil pressure" which, in turn, "can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of crash." (In the last month, VW has denied any recalls associated with my VIN. However, I attached a document issued from USAA that states that my VIN could be associated with 8 different safety-related recalls. The first on the list of these recalls is related to vehicles with the same year, make, and model as mine that are equipped with a DQ200 7-speed DSG Automatic Transmission. The NHTSA ID for this recall is 19V866000.) Question #3: In 2017, the first time I had a power train system issue, the car was towed to the nearest VW dealer, and I had the transmission replaced there. (Documentation of repair attached.) In 2024, I received a full diagnostic that includes the transmission needing to be replaced for a second time. Question #4: The vehicle/issue has been inspected by a certified VW Dealer. Question #5: I took my car to the same dealer that replaced the transmission in 2017. In May of 2024, I took my car to VW right after 5 warning lights appeared on my dashboard all at once (steering system, airbag, traction control, ABS, and tire pressure; photo attached) The service department at the VW dealer conducted a full diagnostic and said that I need to replace the transmission for a second time.

NHTSA ID

11590681

Incident

May 6, 2024

There is an open recall on 2013 Volkswagen Jetta hybrid for known electrical and power train issues. My car was purchased last year and kept up on in maintenance . I have had it in the shop multiple times for checks due to the lights on my dashboard all going off. Nothing was found until recently the hybrid and engine light turned on out of no where and the cause was the clutch failing which is one of the known recalls. My VIN Isn’t listed under this recall and I have been in contact with Volkswagen and they are refusing to help even thought it’s a known issue with this years make and model. The car is unsafe to drive and could likely result in an accident due to the behavior of the car from these issues. The car will randomly buck when driving and when coming to a complete stop and trying to accelerate it will buck as well. I did add the open recalls on this car that are alike to my issues. There are also 4 other open recalls on this years make and model. I don’t have an exact date when the issues start I could look through my paper work but I put down 11/11 as they have been happening for awhile now

NHTSA ID

11578711

Incident

Nov 11, 2023

Vehicle on several occasions lost power while driving causing me to coast to the side of the road. After stopping and placing car in park, tried to restart vehicle and started up with no lights on dashboard as to this issue. Took car to VW dealer and was told they would complete the recall work to fix the powertrain issues of gearbox fluid leaking causing corrosion and leaks into transmission. Received call from dealership who stated transmission was totally damaged and replacement was $11,000.00. I went to the dealership to discuss and was told they had no specific information as to the codes received when they ran the diagnostic. They also stated they did not fix the recall and had no reason for not fixing recall other than the cost to replace the transmission was not worth it based on value of car. I strongly believe that the recall issue is the reason for any damage to the transmission as they are directly related. I have researched on-line and there are a lot of individuals with the same issue and the same responses from VW not wanting to acknowledge the recall issue and the direct relation to any transmission issues. I have driven this car and there has been issues with the automatic transmission shifting gears. I believe the cost (parts and labor) to repair the actual recall issue is the driving decision to tell customers that the transmission is bad. One post actual had a customer trade in his Jetta at the VW dealer for a VW Passat and was only given $150.00 trade-in allowance. Later the individual searched their car by VIN and found the car was for sale. VW should be required to completely fix the recall and related transmission issues and/or purchase back these vehicles at a negotiated price. I am the original owner of this car and it only has 127,000 miles. This is only about 10,000 miles per year. Please look into similar reports of these issues by others. VW also stopped production of this car knowing the defects that would occur or were occurring.

NHTSA ID

11576677

Incident

Mar 11, 2024

The car has 39k miles on it and needs a new transmission. When at stop lights it cycles back and forth from the engine to electric. Sometimes the vehicle jolts forward for some reason unbeknownst to me. Close call running into the vehicle ahead of me. Then other times it is so sluggish and hardly wants to take off from a stop. It makes a clunking noise at slower speeds. It was diagnosed and has a hairline crack within the transmission electronic gearbox which is causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure. I did some research and my car is diagnosed with the same “exact” issue in a recall yet my VIN says it’s not affected. It’s very well affected. This issue needs addressed before a tragic accident occurs. No well cared for vehicle after 39k miles should need a new transmission. I don’t have the documentation at the moment. My vehicle is still sitting at the shop. I will upload documents upon receiving them.

NHTSA ID

11571041

Incident

Feb 6, 2024

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

This is a common problem with the 2013 vw hybrid Jetta. The dealership charged me $300 and told me I needed to just replace my transmission because the mechtronic unit has cracks in it. No mention of a recall. Here is a description of my issue (found online), to the letter: Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure. This can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA ID

11565919

Incident

Jan 17, 2024

Dsg unit with hairline crack and fluid leakage just like known recall for this vehicle but mine isn’t covered for some reason

NHTSA ID

11557589

Incident

Nov 30, 2023

My vehicle has the Mechatronic failure that the recall is open for some 13’ Jetta hybrids but I don’t have an open recall for it. The car would start shutting on and off constantly at stop lights instead of staying off running soley on battery power. The error codes are pointing to a failure to maintain fluid pressure inside the mechatronics unit. The mechatronics unit is included in a VW recall from June 2021. There was a design flaw in the housing that caused transmission fluid to lead out under pressure. My vehicle should be included in the recall but since I don’t have an open recall for this to my vehicle I can’t get it fixed and repairs are to expensive for something VW should own up for this mistake but they won’t repair it.

NHTSA ID

11556871

Incident

Aug 24, 2023

July 2021, (roughly 80,000 miles) vehicle had sudden loss of drive power to motor while driving approximately 30mph and related warning lights came on, leading to Recall Repair in July 2021. Transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit) and transmission accumulator housing replaced by VW Dealer. Car exhibited some shuddering at low speeds and occasional lurching forward from a stop after recall repair - dealer said this is normal behavior and to ignore. Transmission has total failure on October 4, 2023 (roughly 100,000 miles), only 20,000 miles after recall. Vehicle owner experienced the same sudden loss of drive power while driving in a parking lot with the same indicator lights as in July 2021. Car was towed to same dealer. Dealer states transmission problem is not related to recalled parts, but vehicle owner suspects replaced parts from the recall may have also been faulty, as there is not a permanent fix for the recall issue, just replacement of parts. Dealer estimate is $8,500 for a new transmission and $2,500 for labor, more than the total value of the car.

NHTSA ID

11548892

Incident

Oct 4, 2023

The Jetta hybrid relies on a control unit, called the "mechatronic unit" to decouple the gasoline engine from the transmission. This, in turn, transfers propulsion to the electric motor, inside the transmission housing. The "mechatronic" is a highly specialized component, the "brains" of the Jetta's hybrid powertrain, and, therefore, can only be found in the Jetta hybrid. -market sales data says that a scant 8,515 Jetta hybrids were manufactured across model years 2013 - 2016. -an open NHTSA safety recall, 34j6, has been applied to a cross section of the total 8,515 Jetta hybrids produced. -per recall 34j6, exactly 2,149 Jetta hybrids have been included by VIN# in this recall. -safety recall 34j6 specifically addresses the "mechatronic accumulator housing". -recall description: hairline cracks may develop in the accumulator housing of the transmission (mechatronic unit), leaking and leading to insufficient transmission oil pressure. If this happens, the transmission warning light will illuminate in the instrument panel. If the warning light is ignored and the vehicle is driven, the clutch may not engage. There could be a sudden loss of power to the wheels, potentially leading to a vehicle crash.

NHTSA ID

11544915

Incident

Sep 14, 2023

At 80k, the DSG transmission failed and at my expense paid to get a NEW transmission installed. Today, at 155k, the NEW replaced transmission failed again. So every 75K, the transmission fails with the following: Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure. Transmission can not be fixed and must be replaced. Cost for a new transmission is over $8k.

NHTSA ID

11536216

Incident

Aug 2, 2023

I purchased vehicle 12/06/2022 and day after purchase check engine light went off. Took it back to dealer ASH Auto and they stated they fixed it. 2 Months later check engine light again. Got a diagnostic test and codes were TBI Base Gasket, P01106 Manifold and 01314-013 Engine control module. Now one week ago dropping off daughter to work down the street and when pulled into garage my vehicle will not go I to park. Only neutral, reverse and drive work. Have to keep car in neutral with emergency brake to keep parked.

NHTSA ID

11528874

Incident

Jun 19, 2023

When coming to a stop, a wrench appeared where the gear indicator was, and a service hybrid system message appeared. When attempting to accelerate after stopping, the vehicle did not move. After turning the car off and back on it was able to move again. This has occured on multiple occasions.

NHTSA ID

11519610

Incident

Apr 29, 2023

Driving on the interstate, my spouse stated that the car just lost power. Fortunately, he was able to pull off. But once he tried to start the car, it wouldn't do anything. The car was towed to my home. We took the car to the local VW dealer to have the recall completed. Since the car had to be towed there, we were told that we would have to pay $500 for a diagnostic before anything can be completed. I took the car to a local repairman and he stated that the fuel pump was bad. We replaced it and the battery. The car now will not start at all. We are getting an error of "hybrid system failure", "air bag failure", epc light is on and transmission warning. The car tries to start but will not.

NHTSA ID

11517654

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

The car would turn on for 2 seconds and turn off for 2 second in a continuous cycle when stationary. The car is available for inspection upon request. Yes the problem has been confirmed by Heritage Volkswagen and they updated the software recall...but the damage is already beyond repair. $10,000 to repair. There were not any warning lamps, messages, just the above symptoms. This started about 5 days ago. Took it to a local auto shop and they said there was an EV when the performed the diagnostics. Would have to take it to the dealership to get it fixed. That day I made an appointment with the dealership for the following morning at 7:30 a.m.

NHTSA ID

11506444

Incident

Feb 3, 2023

Vehicle would not shift, OBD2 code P037B "stuck in gear 6." Vehicle towed to a auto mechanic that said they spoke with VW dealer and confirmed it was a crack in the transmission and was undriveable. I have contacted VW who have said there are recalls for many transmissions of this Jetta but not for my VIN. I have also had issues with the clock spring (replaced) and an air bag sensor (malfunction light still on) and now the transmission. There are recalls for Hybrid Jettas of this year but apparently not for my VIN. It seems like a large coincidence and feels like it should be investigated, especially considering the other issues VW was investigated for at this time of production.

NHTSA ID

11496935

Incident

Dec 3, 2022

Transmision slips into neutral, stopping car in traffic, other jetta hybrids fall under recall for same reason, it also leaks fluid from Transmission

NHTSA ID

11492436

Incident

May 10, 2022

This is a hybrid car and the power train at low rpm’s should transfer the fuel source from gas to battery. This function should occur in a stop position as well. The car now shifts in and out of battery power source and hesitates severely from a stop position. It sounds very much like the recall of over 25% of these vehicles for the mechtronic issues. My car was not included in the recall but I believe this is the same or similar dangerous issue. I have communicate that with VWoA with no results.

NHTSA ID

11481499

Incident

Jun 20, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11471593

Incident

Jun 27, 2022