Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the recall failed to fix the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
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, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the failure was associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was provided with the cost for a diagnostic test and the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.
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 dealer who stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the electrical control module was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.
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 car having minor wear. This is a problem that has been reported by many other Volkswagen Jetta owners on online forums and no one seems to have a specific answer as to what is causing this accident prone issue!
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently fail to restart soon after failure. Due to the failure, the vehicle had been towed and driven to various independent mechanics and dealers and none had been unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,900.
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle would vibrate and jerk. The contact also mentioned that the braking system failed to function as designed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mechatronic unit and the dual clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
E-Engine and Transmission Problem. In August of 2021, while performing normal driving, the car refused to get in gear and the engine just revved; the Check Engine and Hybrid Systems Failure lights came on, and the car would not work properly. I had it towed to a VW Dealership in Springfield, VA for repairs and was quoted $15,000 for a new E-Engine and Transmission. No Recalls, but online forums show that this is a classic failure of Jetta Hybrids and is due to the corrosive transmission oil used in the sealed transmissions of the Hybrids. Car has remained on VW Dealership lot while a decision is made on the vehicle. November of 2021 I was contacted about a different recall (38C4) for the Jetta; it is a software issue with a European Calibration instead of a US. I am looking to have that repaired to see if it fixes the problem in the car. …
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 leak and a decrease in oil pressure. Consequence: 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 update the transmission software, free of charge. The software remedy is currently under development. The recall is expected to begin February 4, 2020. …
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 in contact with Volkswagen and they are refusing to help even thought it's a known issue with this years make and model. The car is unsafe to drive and could likely result in an accident due to the behavior of the car from these issues. The car will randomly buck when driving and when coming to a complete stop and trying to accelerate it will buck as well. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 148 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, 29% of the model year's 518 complaints. The component named most often is horn (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-615 (control module, Aug 22, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.