2013 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
39 owners have reported engine problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, 21% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 97,500 mi.
- Engine complaints
- 39
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Related recalls
- 0
- Median mileage
- 97,500 mi
Specific components reported
Engine covers: stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 38 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 |
Engine complaints across Volkswagen Jetta years
Mileage when the problem appeared
Related recalls
No recalls on file.
What owners say
- Filed Sep 24, 2025ILEngine
Hairline crack developed in the accumulator housing of the transmission (mechatronic unit), leaking and leading to insufficient transmission oil pressure. There is loss of power to the wheels. Was never notified and on last inspection they told me it was my fault. Recall code 34J6. The only thing the service department did was update the software, the issue was that before the update it was already damaged and they refused to replace the “MECHATRONICS UNIT” The car is not…
NHTSA complaint #11689309 · source - 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 - Filed Feb 23, 2025UTEngine
Car one day decided to have issues. It wouldn't turn over. So we called a row truck to come take it and run diagnostics. The tow truck driver showed up and on his decision making as im not a professional like he is he said can it turn on I said no so he pursued with saying that he is going to Jumpstart the battery in his words he says that's mainly the issue is a dead battery so he wanted to jump it with his portable jumper box as we are hooking it up to the vehicle I am…
NHTSA complaint #11644383 · source - Filed Sep 26, 2024CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2013 Jetta TDI with 92k miles. I am the third owner of this car which has been regularly maintained since new with all service records, including a 2019 emissions modification per VW recall. I bought this vehicle less than a year ago. My son was driving to work when the car shut off without warning. He was able to restart it and park safely and had it towed home. After replacing the battery and a fuse, the car continued to show a code for the ECM Power Relay Load Circuit .…
NHTSA complaint #11616723 · source - Filed Sep 21, 2024OHEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION As I was accelerating to enter traffic on the expressway the engine lost partial power. I reduced accelerator pressure, and then the engine seemed to recover. I then reapplied pressure to the accelerator, and it seemed normal but when I put in the clutch to shift, the engine accelerated beyond redline. I completed the shift, and car began to accelerate rapidly. I tapped the accelerator, and the acceleration stopped, and then after about 3 seconds it…
NHTSA complaint #11615745 · source - 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 - 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 - 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 - Filed Jul 22, 2023MNEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
Unknown system failure or component. Ever since I've bought the vehicle in I believe 2017 from EICH VW, it has consistently died while driving or idling. It also was "slamming on the brakes on its own" when the car would die. It jerks consistently as well. The latest out of hundreds of incidents, was yesterday, it stalled at a red light that had turned green, so I was stopped, I turned my hazards on immediately when it had stalled. The vehicle behind me went into the turn…
NHTSA complaint #11533830 · source - Filed Jun 26, 2023AZEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
I purchased vehicle 12/06/2022 and day after purchase check engine light went off. Took it back to dealer ASH Auto and they stated they fixed it. 2 Months later check engine light again. Got a diagnostic test and codes were TBI Base Gasket, P01106 Manifold and 01314-013 Engine control module. Now one week ago dropping off daughter to work down the street and when pulled into garage my vehicle will not go I to park. Only neutral, reverse and drive work. Have to keep car in…
NHTSA complaint #11528874 · source - Filed Mar 10, 2022ILElectrical SystemEngine
The mechanics at Volkswagen found a hairline crack in my mechatronics unit for my Volkswagen Jetta hybrid 2013. They would not fix it even though it was the software that caused it. “Summary: 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…
NHTSA complaint #11456226 · source - Filed Jan 26, 202286,000 miNYEngine
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact went to an auto parts store and replaced the battery however, the warning light illuminated again. Occasionally, the vehicle would fail to start immediately. The contact also stated that occasionally while driving, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The contact was able to…
NHTSA complaint #11449034 · source
Other 2013 Volkswagen Jetta problem areas
- Transmission & Drivetrain (88)
- Electrical System (45)
- Other / Unknown (34)
- Airbags (16)
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (16)
- Steering (12)
- Brakes (12)
- Acceleration & Cruise Control (7)
- Suspension (5)
- Visibility & Wipers (3)
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (2)
- Lighting (2)
- Body & Structure (2)
- Seats & Seat Belts (1)
- Wheels & Tires (1)
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