Most common 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid problems
Share of the 79 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid complaints by model year
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid:
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…
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…
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.
What 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 57 →
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact turned off the vehicle and as he restarted the vehicle, the check engine warning light and the warning message "Hybrid System Failure" illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's residence. The contact stated that when he purchased the vehicle new in August of 2013, the vehicle Owner's Manual advised not to change the transmission fluid on all models of the Jetta hybrid 2013-2016. Then in 2015, the contact received a notice advising to change the transmission fluid after 40,000 miles; however, in 2017 the contact received another notice advising not to change the transmission fluid. …
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 light was blinking. The contact stopped the vehicle shifted into park (P), then shifted into reverse (R) however, the vehicle failed to respond while shifting through PRNDL. The contact turned the vehicle off and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The local dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the mechatronic unit and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. …
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the "Pull Your Vehicle Over Immediately" message appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The check engine warning light, the battery warning light, and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road. The contact stated he was able to restart the vehicle and drive however, the vehicle would not exceed 60 mph. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The car is a 2013 vw Jetta Hybrid with 64,189 miles on it , but only 4 years old. The car started to have a problem with its own charging system while stopped during driving the vehicle. It would not idle properly. I took it in to toms river vw and they told me it was a transmission problem, which would cost $ 9,000 to replace. They said they would try to get me "financial assistance" from Volkswagen of America. I was left in the dark for four days till I ecieved a phone call from one, ashley, (no last name given) and she said vw was offering 75% of cost. I told her this was unacceptable and asked to speak to someone else. She kept refusing, though she did say she was "sorry this was happening". I want vw to replace this part. I should not have to pay anything. This car was never worked on or taken anywhere but to a Volkswagen dealership. …
Electrical system
I was driving on a 2 lane street when the check Hybrid flashed on my dash. The car still continued to drive normal on engine power but would no longer switch into Hybrid mode. I took the car to the dealer the next day and was told that the clutch that switches the electric motor to the transmission was bad and the whole transmission needed to be replaced. I found that odd because the transmission ran fine when running on the gas engine only. The dealer also stated that the repair would not be under warranty because my car has 73000 miles and the powertrain coverage ends at 60000. I stated that I thought it should be covered under the Hybrid warranty which is 100000 miles. Also because it was the check Hybrid warning light that came on and not the check engine. To no avail the dealer would not budge. The car is at the waiting on a new transmission to arrive. …
I'm really frustrated here with Volkswagen it seems like every since the beginning of the year January the car's been in the shop more than I've been at the doctor. At first it was the water pump for the turbo they had to be replaced then two weeks after I got that repaired it was the brake sensor then a week after that it was the vacuum pump for the brakes, and the work doesn't stop from there it seems like from there I had to get a repair kit it's a seal that goes between the transmission and the engine including the dual clutch for the Hybrid and engine transmission. As of today May 13th 2016 I was just told that Volkswagen is going ahead and replace the entire complete transmission because the same error code came up from the last repairs that were done there's been roughly around $12,000 repairs either paid by the insurance extended warranty or Volkswagen. …
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid | 7-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 41 / 48 / 44 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Jetta Hybrid to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid?
The transmission & drivetrain — 57 complaints, 72% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (14) and electrical system (9).
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, the most recent from December 6, 2019 (automatic transmission). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.