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 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.
Ignition key difficult to pull out from starter. Sometimes difficult to start car, but it can be wiggled in or out with some effort. Dangerous if it can get removed and engine continues working. Key can be reinserted to turn off. Sometimes difficult to start. Taken to local (Tucson AZ) dealership and told that there is no VW recall for this issue. I believe there is a recall. Dealership refused to fix it. Not covered as part of warranty either. We had to pay to get it fixed. Dealership appeared not to know of existence of a recall for the ignition key problem. We request a refund. Please inform them that such a recall exists. Chapman Volkswagen 4426 E 22nd .St. Tucson, AZ [phone] Thank you, [redacted]
This vehicle and other vehicles of the same model have a faulty ignition cylinder lock housing causing the key to be unable to turn the car to off and be removed from the ignition. This does not allow the driver to park and leave the car as the key remains stuck and unable to turn. This problem has been reported by a dealer as an issue that is fixed weekly on other vehicles of the same make and model in shop.The vehicle has been inspected by the Volkswagen dealership and determined to be a failure within the vehicle. The key in the ignition has occasionally become stuck but, now remains in the vehicle for consistently after each drive for up to 30 minutes of trying to remove it.
The clock spring in this vehicle has failed in a vehicle that currently has less than 36k miles. There were no warnings or lights prior to failure. The controls on steering wheel and the vehicle's horn no longer work as a result. When inspected by the local dealership, they also informed us that the airbag may not deploy in the event of an accident. The dealership also told us that the replacement part is backordered and that they could not provide a date that the part would be available. The vehicle feels unsafe to drive since we do not know if the airbag works or not. VW seems to be in no hurry to provide a fix.
I am Filing a complaint against Volkswagen group of America, I called they for assistants in fixing an issue with one of their dealers to replace an ignition switch. Volkswagen said they stand by their dealer and would not let me speak to the Zone Reps for that area or the Dealer Reps that assist the customer in coming to a solution. The Ignition switch is a safety item and the dealer is trying to charge me a high price for a new key because they own a monopoly in the area.
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.
Ignition cylinder failure. Key would come out while driving, car would stay on, key would not turn in the ignition. Finally wheel locked and key will not turn at all therefore I can't put my car in neutral.
Steering wheel gets hard and starts licking oil. Steering wheel has being replaced multiple times. 12/10/13 replaced at 13625 miles, second time replaced 10/10/2014 at 27338 miles. Dec. 2014 I got a recall notice from vw of America due to faulty rear axle. As of feb./03/2015 my vw Jetta is currently at the dealer due to the same steering problem. They haven't yet give me the final paper work for the repairs being done. My vw Jetta is register with the california dmv to drive a disable person. I have all work orders invoices by the dealership. I was on a car accident on oct./9/2014. I hit the street curve damaging my 2 wheels. I reported the incident to farmers insurance. Updated 3/24/16
Steerlock- I drove my car for a few minutes on 6/11/2016 to the store, then returned home. At the store the key had worked fine. When I returned home and put the car in park the key to my car would not turn off. I repeatedly tried to turn the car off, and the key refused to turn off. I called the local volkswagon dealership in marion, il to see if I could get some possible fixes, the service techs were gone for the day since it was a Saturday. The salesman said he would contact a technician to see if they had any fixes for me. He called me back and told me to try holding the key forward then letting it snap back. I tried this a few times and it didn't work, so I told them I would drop the car off. Once I got to the dealership the technician had came in and he was able to get the key trick I was told about to work. …
While driving my 2013 Volkswagen Jetta gli, a part fell down by my feet hitting my foot. Once parked, the part numbered 1k0953527d was found on the drivers side floor mat. I called my local dealership where I had bought the car (new) and sent them a picture of the part. They said they believed it controlled the column lock while in park, however my wheel still locked in park with the part not in place. The next day, while driving in an alley, my bumped my key chain while scooting forward in my seat and my car turn off, not allowing me to turn it back on until it finally came to a stop and I was able to put it in park. The service team had their most experienced team member on hand open the steering column and said that the part must have fell out; for reasons not known. They also said there was no indication of tampering.
Steering complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, 7% of the model year's 518 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.