2013 Tesla Model S vs 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2013 Tesla Model S
2013 Volkswagen Jetta
Stories from the shop
Buyers cross-shop the 2013 Tesla Model S and the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta but they're solving slightly different problems. The reliability data tells you what breaks on each one. The right pick depends on which set of trade-offs fits your actual driving more than which score is higher.
If you lean 2013 Tesla Model S, know what you're getting into on electrical and suspension. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta? Watch the powertrain and steering. The 2013 Tesla Model S has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2013 Tesla Model S or the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.3 versus 3.0. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Tesla Model S?
Compared to the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, the 2013 Tesla Model S sees more reported issues in electrical and suspension. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
Compared to the 2013 Tesla Model S, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has more complaints in powertrain and steering. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
The 2013 Tesla Model S has more active recalls (3 vs 2). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $13,650 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.