2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  612%
• 25k–50k
  510%
• 50k–75k
  1020%
• 75k–100k
  1327%
• 100k–150k
  1429%
• 150k+
  12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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. …

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 non-functional. The contact stated that he continued driving to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the dual clutch transmission to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission disengaged causing the vehicle to lose motive power. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was restarted and regained power and proper transmission function. The contact stated that occasionally, several attempts were needed before the vehicle operated as needed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 19V866000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 83,500.

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 needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train) in 2023; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the clutch failed to engage. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle failure was not related to the recall. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken Piazza Volkswagen of Ardmore (150 W Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003) where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

The contact's son owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while his son was driving from a complete stop uphill, the vehicle failed to go into gear and started rolling backward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's son depressed the accelerator pedal harder and he was able to drive uphill. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that it was a known failure and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train). The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer for the recall repair however, when the dealer inspected the vehicle the dealer informed the contact they would not be able to perform the recall repair due severe wear and tear on the 1st clutch. The dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced prior to performing the recall repair. The contact was informed that replacing the transmission would be an out of pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,801.

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 contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

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); however, the part for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Jetta Hybrid years