2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
25
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
104,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 22 of 25 complaints (88%).
  • Engine (3) and airbags (1) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 104,000 mi.
  • The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 3 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid model years we track.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid problems by category

  • 22 complaints
  • Engine
    3 complaints
  • Airbags
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train20
Engine3
Power train:automatic transmission2
Air bags:frontal:driver clockspring/spiral cassette1
Hybrid propulsion system1
Steering1

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k110k–30k130k–60k760k–100k11100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid complaints that list mileage.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid recalls (3)

  • Recall 19V866000Dec 6, 20192,167 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid vehicles equipped with a DQ200 7-Speed DSG Automatic Transmission. Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure.

    Risk: A decrease in transmission oil pressure can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit and, as necessary, replace affected parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 34J6.

  • Recall 19V679000Sep 25, 2019113 vehicles
    UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

    Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 13V568000Nov 14, 20133,837 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Jetta Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 2012 through October 2013 and equipped with a DQ-200 direct-shift gearbox. Due to gearbox fluid additives, the control module within the gearbox may corrode. The deposits from this corrosion may cause an electrical short and result in a stall-like condition.

    Risk: This sudden loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gearbox oil with a non-corrosive version, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 34F6/4V.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

    Pedestrian alert sounds

    NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…

  • EA18003Opened Apr 18, 2018Open

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

    In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel…

  • PE15010Opened Mar 24, 2015Closed Sep 28, 2015led to recall 15V483000

    Air Bag Clockspring Failure

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.Complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.When the SCCM fails electrically, an air bag war…

Recent 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jan 29, 2024100,000 miGATransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 25MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact attempted to shift into another gear however, the vehicle failed to respond. The driver pulled to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several minutes, and the vehicle drove as intended. The vehicle was driven to a nearby dealer, and the contact was informed that the transmission…
    NHTSA complaint #11568521 · source
  2. Filed Oct 27, 2023126,000 miCTTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate and hesitate. The contact stated that the transmission and hybrid warning lights and several other warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off. The contact turned the vehicle on and was able to place the vehicle into drive (D) and began to move forward however, he observed that the check transmission…
    NHTSA complaint #11552332 · source
  3. Filed Apr 6, 2023130,000 miCATransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power after the clutch disengaged. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, where the contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train);…
    NHTSA complaint #11515747 · source
  4. Filed Dec 21, 2022114,000 miNYTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced in 2017 however, the failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11498355 · source
  5. Filed Dec 2, 202286,097 miNYTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the hybrid system fault message was displayed. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and the hybrid system fault message was off however, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to his residence with the warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the hybrid electric system was…
    NHTSA complaint #11495779 · source
  6. Filed Oct 21, 2022111,000 miVAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn was inoperable. The failure was constant. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the clock spring for the vehicle was on national back order. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had…
    NHTSA complaint #11490322 · source
  7. Filed Sep 19, 202270,000 miVATowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle failed to shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle was stuck in neutral and failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was…
    NHTSA complaint #11485292 · source
  8. Filed Sep 16, 202286,000 miNYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that upon exiting his driveway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact then stated that he attempted to restart the vehicle however, the engine revved but failed to operate as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the…
    NHTSA complaint #11484836 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology