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 Jetta steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta have filed 37 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 56,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Jetta | 25 |
| 2010 Jetta | 14 |
| 2011 Jetta | 23 |
| 2012 Jetta | 43 |
| 2013 Jetta (this page) | 37 |
| 2014 Jetta | 17 |
| 2015 Jetta | 15 |
| 2016 Jetta | 11 |
| 2017 Jetta | 14 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 37 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ 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
Owners have filed 37 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 16 model years of Volkswagen Jetta in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 ↗This Document informs dealers the warranty extension for the steering column lock housing has been revised to include 2014 and 2015 model year
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most common complaint is an ignition cylinder that traps the key in the on position, preventing shutdown and removal. Owners report needing to jiggle or manipulate the key for minutes or even an hour. Dealerships stock replacement parts and have practiced workarounds, suggesting this is a known pattern. Replacement costs run $400 or more, and even replaced cylinders sometimes fail again within a year of warranty coverage.
A second serious failure mode involves spontaneous stalling while driving, with the steering wheel locking up and brakes becoming unresponsive—a genuine safety hazard. One owner reported four such incidents over 19 months, with one crash and near-miss highway incidents involving traffic on the opposite side. Volkswagen has been unable to determine the cause in reported cases.
Clock spring failures disable steering wheel controls, the horn, and potentially the airbag safety function. Owners report replacement parts on backorder with no delivery date. One steering rack actually fractured in half while turning, causing complete loss of steering control. Steering hardness and oil leakage also appear in multiple reports, sometimes requiring repeated replacement of the entire steering assembly early in the vehicle's life.
Same Volkswagen Jetta steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Steerlock Ignition Cylinder Failure
Ignition key becomes stuck in the on position and cannot be turned off or removed from the cylinder. Affects ability to park and leave the vehicle unattended. Dealers report this failure type occurs frequently enough to stock replacement parts and have a known workaround procedure.
When: Occurs unpredictably during or after normal driving, no consistent mileage pattern reported
Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in on position; Key will not turn to off; Key cannot be removed from ignition; Sometimes requires aggressive jiggling or manipulation to remove key; May require holding key forward then letting it snap back
Repairs/costs cited: Volkswagen dealers replace ignition lock cylinder. Cost reported at $400+. Dealers report keeping parts in stock due to frequency of issue. One case mentions 1-year warranty on replacement part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Reimbursement letter mentioned for out-of-pocket repairs. No formal recall issued, though NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) addresses related ignition issues for some owners. Parts availability issues reported for recall campaign.
Engine Stall with Steering/Brake Lockup
Vehicle spontaneously stalls or shuts down while in motion, causing steering wheel to lock and brakes to become unresponsive or hard. Creates immediate safety hazard. Can occur multiple times over extended period or as isolated incidents.
When: Reported between May 2018-December 2019 (4 incidents over 19 months); also reported at under 20 mph; can occur at traffic lights or while actively driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or shuts down unexpectedly; Steering wheel locks up; Brakes become unresponsive or extremely hard; Loss of power to vehicle; Dashboard lights illuminate; Vehicle cannot exceed 40 mph after restart; Battery light may come on
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed. One owner reported repair under NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 failed to resolve issue; dealer did not repair on follow-up visit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volkswagen unable to determine cause in at least one case and provided no solution. Condition likely related to NHTSA Campaign 19V615000 (Electrical System, Steering) per one complaint.
Clock Spring Failure
Clock spring (steering column electrical connector) fails, disabling steering wheel controls and horn. May also affect airbag deployment capability. Reported at low mileage with no prior warning lights.
When: Reported under 36,000 miles; part fell off vehicle during normal driving in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel controls do not function; Horn does not work; Airbag light illuminated; Part (1K0953527D) fell from steering column onto driver floor mat; Airbag may not deploy in accident
Codes mentioned: 1K0953527D
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement part backordered with no availability date. One owner's part fell out with no known cause; dealership found no signs of tampering. Another case involved replacement after recall but resulted in steering wheel clicking, non-functional controls, and disconnected airbag.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued specifically for clock spring failure. One case involved recall work that was not completed properly and allegedly damaged airbag; dealer claimed rip-out cost $2,000. Parts backordered; VIN tool confirms parts not available for recall campaign 19V615000.
Steering Rack and Pinion Metal Fracture
Steering rack and pinion assembly fails catastrophically, with metal breaking in half during normal driving. Complete loss of steering control results.
When: Mid-turn, while slowing down to make right turn
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of steering control; Vehicle would not turn and continued mostly straight; Vehicle spun around and came to rest; Steering rack and pinion metal broke in half
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided by owner
Steering Hardness and Oil Leakage
Steering system becomes hard to turn and leaks oil. Requires repeated replacement of steering assembly. Can follow accident damage or occur independently.
When: First replacement at 13,625 miles; second replacement at 27,338 miles; issues continued through at least February 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes hard/stiff; Steering system leaks oil; Tight steering after stall event
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel/assembly replaced multiple times (Dec 2013, Oct 2014, and Feb 2015 work in progress). Owner has all work orders and invoices from dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notice received for faulty rear axle (Dec 2014) but not related to steering issue
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Ignition cylinder failure. Key would come out while driving, car would stay on, key would not turn in the ignition. Finally wheel locked and key will not turn at all therefore I can’t put my car in neutral.
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…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
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 Jetta?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 37 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?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,000 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 78,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/Jetta.
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.