2013 Volkswagen JETTA SPORTWAGEN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
82,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 36 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 22.2% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 13.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Air Bags: 5; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 5; Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Suspension: 3; Fuel System, Diesel: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2016: 6; 2017: 1; 2019: 4; 2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 7; 2023: 6; 2024: 3; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10861315 · 2016-04-25 (April 25, 2016)
FRONT SUNROOF GLASS (THE PORTION THAT MOVES WHEN THE GLASS IS OPENED) SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ~70MPH ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY IN MINIMAL TRAFFIC; CLEAR WEATHER, ROUGHLY 60 DEGREES F. I DID NOT PASS UNDER ANY OVERPASSES IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THIS EVENT. I NORMALLY LEAVE THE SUN SHADE BACK AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY CRACKS. AS I WAS DRIVING, I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY GLASS STARTED FALLING ON ME AND THROUGHOUT THE CABIN. I SLOWED AND EXITED THE INTERSTATE, PULLED INTO A SAFE AREA AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK PICTU…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861315 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872672 · 2016-06-06 (June 6, 2016)
THE SUN ROOF DRAIN TUBES SHRINK AND SEPARATE CAUSING A WATER LEAK INSIDE OF THE CAR AND CONTINUING DOWN THE "A" PILLAR. THERE ARE AIR BAGS LOCATED IN THE "A" PILLAR, AND THIS WATER MIGRATION, WILL OVER TIME, HAVE AN AFFECT ON THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAGS. I KNOW OF THREE FRIENDS WITH JETTA SPORTWAGENS WITHIN THIS BODY STYLE, MKVI, THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN HAS DENIED FIXING THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR COST, THEY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS GOING TO BE A SAFETY, AND LIABILITY ISSUE, IT MAY ALREADY BE ONE, AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10895966 · 2016-08-15 (August 15, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON POWER AND THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS EXACT THING HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SET FOR A FEW MINUTES AND IT RESTARTED AND RAN FINE. WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LUCKILY IT WAS NOT BUSY. ON JULY 31 THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THIS TIME THE CAR WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION COMING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG W…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10895966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10902961 · 2016-08-31 (August 31, 2016)
MY WIFE AND HER MOTHER WERE OUT SHOPPING IN SAN DIEGO. THEY SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND SUBSEQUENT STALL OF OUR 2013 JETTA TDI SPORTWAGON. THIS RESULTED IN OUR VEHICLE BLOCKING A TWO LANE BUSY BOULEVARD. THIS STREET IS A NO STOPPING ANYTIME ROADWAY CLEARLY MARKED WITH SIGNS. MY WIFE CHRISTINE, PULLED TO THE FAR RIGHT OF THE SHOULDER AS POSSIBLE. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE FOR MY WIFE AND MOTHER IN LAW. THE VW WAS TOTALLY DEAD AND REQUIRED TOWING TO A VW DEALER REPAIR FACILITY. THE SERVICE REP AT VW DIAGNOSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10902961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10907707 · 2016-09-19 (September 19, 2016)
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10907707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10935112 · 2016-12-13 (December 13, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE TO WORK IT STARTED TO DECELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY, LOSE POWER, AND STUMBLE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND GLOW PLUG LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT A REDUCED HIGHWAY SPEED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE TO A PARK AND RIDE TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE CAR WAS STUMBLING OCCASIONALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AND STARTING TO DIE OUT, BUT NOT STALLING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10945934 · 2017-01-18 (January 18, 2017)
DSG TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT112,00 MILES
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11170094 · 2019-01-15 (January 15, 2019)
ENGINE WON'T TURN OFF. CAR IS IN PARK, I TRY TURNING THE ENGINE OFF TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, KEY COMES OUT BUT THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 162,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11170094 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V078000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
NHTSA campaign record ↗