This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Volkswagen Golf steering problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 5 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Mandatory fastener.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The fault code in this document was revised on page 2. One extra zero was provided.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Horn and ancillary steering wheel controls diagnosis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Document was revised on page 2. The verbiage was changed from the cusomter's perspective to the dealer's persepective
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Brand new car drives somewhat erratic. Took the car to dealer for alignment check. Was advised by dealer that car is delivered with suspension adjusted outside of manufacturers specifications. No reason given why. I consider car unsafe as it doesn't drive as expected. Checking some owner websites, this seems to be a common problem with this car. *tr
On two occasions, about two weeks apart, the power cut off while driving. The car became very difficult to steer. The alternator light came on. After turning the ignition off and on again once or twice, the car started again, and the light was no longer on. On the first of these occasions, the car was being driven on a city street. It was a minute or two after first starting the car that day.…
Driving in freeway traffic at around 35-40 MPH. Prior,to this incident, car has been well maintained and trouble free. Engine died, subsequently power steering stopped working and I needed to steer vehicle to shoulder of road. I consider myself to be an experienced driver and was able to adjust to situation, concerned that a less experienced driver could have had an accident in the same…
After exiting the freeway, I was driving in stop and go traffic and the engine cut out without warning. I was unable to change lanes due to lack of power and power steering, so I tried to re-start the engine while coasting in the fast lane. The hud indicated that I had to put the car in park, so I stopped the car in the fast lane in order to do so. The engine started and I was able to drive away.…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Volkswagen Golf?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Golf?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 25,913 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Volkswagen/Golf.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.