2013 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V615000Aug 22, 2019679,027 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE · STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

  Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."

  Risk: 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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Feb 27, 2026152,000 miCAElectrical SystemSteering

   The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle decelerated and nearly caused a crash on the freeway. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, restarted, and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING); one month before the failure; however,…

   NHTSA complaint #11720919 · source
2. Filed May 12, 2025OHCrashTowedElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The car has turned off at idle and at low speeds, almost causing accidents and to be rear ended in busy streets and during stop and go traffic on the highway. After numerous mechanic diagnostics at both Volkswagen Dealership service departments and third party mechanic shops, no one seems to be able to give me an answer or condition to what is causing the problem. With no error codes being brought up nor any other underlying issues that could be causing this issue, with a…

   NHTSA complaint #11660505 · source
3. Filed Mar 27, 2025134,900 miVAElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that whenever the temperature fell below 20 degrees, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact stated that the Body Control Module (BCM) had previously been replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the Body Control Module (BCM) needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11651070 · source
4. Filed Dec 17, 202455,000 miNYElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the compliance recall Campaign Number: 3M02 was completed. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle was in drive(D), the key came out smoothly. Additionally, the contact stated upon starting the vehicle and entering the key in the ignition switch, the Electronic Power Control (EPC) and the check engine…

   NHTSA complaint #11631281 · source
5. Filed Mar 21, 2024MAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   There is an open recall on 2013 Volkswagen Jetta hybrid for known electrical and power train issues. My car was purchased last year and kept up on in maintenance . I have had it in the shop multiple times for checks due to the lights on my dashboard all going off. Nothing was found until recently the hybrid and engine light turned on out of no where and the cause was the clutch failing which is one of the known recalls. My VIN Isn’t listed under this recall and I have been…

   NHTSA complaint #11578711 · source
6. Filed Mar 11, 2024VAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle on several occasions lost power while driving causing me to coast to the side of the road. After stopping and placing car in park, tried to restart vehicle and started up with no lights on dashboard as to this issue. Took car to VW dealer and was told they would complete the recall work to fix the powertrain issues of gearbox fluid leaking causing corrosion and leaks into transmission. Received call from dealership who stated transmission was totally damaged and…

   NHTSA complaint #11576677 · source
7. Filed Jan 22, 2024CABrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   I would assume the issue had something to do with the power train. 2 days after i had bought the car my wife and i were on our way to the gym and we had just came to a complete stop. Upon entering the highway the car would no longer accelerate no matter how much pressure was put on the accelerator pedal. The engine light also came on. Luckily there were no cars behind me and I was able to pull over with the car moving on its own. This is really dangerous. This has happened…

   NHTSA complaint #11566870 · source
8. Filed Nov 26, 2023FLElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle has the Mechatronic failure that the recall is open for some 13’ Jetta hybrids but I don’t have an open recall for it. The car would start shutting on and off constantly at stop lights instead of staying off running soley on battery power. The error codes are pointing to a failure to maintain fluid pressure inside the mechatronics unit. The mechatronics unit is included in a VW recall from June 2021. There was a design flaw in the housing that caused transmission…

   NHTSA complaint #11556871 · source
9. Filed Oct 5, 2023CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Since I have possessed the car, the horn has been slowly going out. Until now it no longer works at all. I've checked fuses and not the problem. So this is a safety concern for me because of the alarm! If my alarm goes off, just the lights flash but NO sound??! The alarm should at least be heard, right? Otherwise I hope I can see the lights flashing if my alarm goes off!!! Because I can't hear anything. My horn does not work even if I push the steering wheel? If I have to…

   NHTSA complaint #11548350 · source
10. Filed Aug 11, 2023FLElectrical System

    The ABS dash board lights came on while driving at 70 miles an hour. At the time the Car mileage was 105,000 miles estimated.

    NHTSA complaint #11537883 · source
11. Filed Aug 10, 2023110,000 miFLTowedElectrical SystemEngine

    The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side road and was able to continue driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and unknown sensors were replaced, but the failure persisted. On another occasion while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the…

    NHTSA complaint #11537780 · source
12. Filed Aug 8, 2023TXElectrical SystemSteering

    The key gets stuck in the ignition switch and the car is not able to turn off. In order to remove the key you have to jiggle it several times which could be minutes or up to an hour. Could be a safety issue if I’m somewhere and need to turn the car off immediately. Was told this is a costly repair but if this is a known issue (and it is) why is this not a recall when possible damage or injury could occur.

    NHTSA complaint #11537164 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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