The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has 516 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 137 complaints (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Reliability score
5.8 / 10
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Jetta?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 111 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Volkswagen Jetta? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 137 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 111 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
engine — 52 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
steering — 37 owner reports
· ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Jetta· engine
My vehicle was not included in several recalls (e.g. 36F6/4V and 34J6) that were made for identical cars (2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid). As result, the transmission is approaching its end of life (I was quoted $9600 + tax for the replacement). I called VW customer service and they…
Car would slip/stall when accelerating from a dead stop. Check engine light came on. Then car would not start. Dealership said it needs a new transmission assembly.
Sudden loss of acceleration power at any speed without warning. On freeway must roll to a stop. No engine lights on. Mechanic unable to diagnose problem, car is not giving a trouble code. Issue occurs when vehicle is cold or hot at a stop or moving. It's been occurring twice a…
Transmission is about to fail: at ODO 98800 the CEL indicates code P177B - Clutch Tolerance limit reached. The DSG transmission mechatronic unit was changed at ODO 46734 because the engine was loosing power. Volkswagen's has a recent recall 34J6 for this problem and vehicle…
Had a problem with your 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 516 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 111 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 137 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 516 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 137 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volkswagen Jetta has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 516 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Volkswagen/Jetta.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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