Home · 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hev · Complaints

What 586 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (586)Crash / fire / injury (20)Transmission & drivetrain (195)Electrical system (156)Engine (125)Fuel system (38)Steering (36)Airbags (32)Brakes (30)Speed control (21)Lights (17)Body & structure (15)

Newest first · 586 complaints · page 22 of 24

Nov 18, 2014TiresWheels

VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE 205/55R16 TIRES WITH 33,865 MILES. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL SPLIT WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT A LOW SPEED CAUSING A FLAT TIRE. ALL DRIVING HAS BEEN ROUTINE. THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON FOR A SIDEWALL TO SPLIT AFTER ONLY 33,865 MILES ON IT UNLESS IT IS DEFECTIVE. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE CANNOT BE CHANGED BY THE OWNER BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS INSTALLED LOCKING LUG NUTS AND WILL NOT PROVIDE THE SPECIAL KEY TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. THE GLOVE BOX HAS A SPOT FOR THE SPECIAL KEY, SO THE INTENT IS CLEAR THAT THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE A KEY, BUT A KEY WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNLESS ADDITIONAL MONEY IS PAID TO PURCHASE THE KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A FLAT TIRE OCCURS, THE OWNER CANNOT CHANGE THE TIRE AND THEREFORE, WILL BE LEFT IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10658801

Oct 31, 2014Engine

I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN SEPT. 2013 FOR ITS FUEL MILEAGE, ALSO BECAUSE OF THE EFFICIENCY OF THE TDI. NOW AT 50,000 MIS., I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND A CODE OF P047F, WHICH MEANS I HAVE A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A $1000.00 PART. LUCKILY, MY CAR IS COVERED BY THE CARB WARRANTY OF CA. BUT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN THIS FAST. I HAVE DONE ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICES AT THE PROPER INTERVALS WITH VW APPROVED FLUIDS AND FILTERS. BECAUSE MY CAR WAS PAST THE 3YR/36K WARRANTY, BUT HAS A 8YR/80K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, I CALLED VW TO SEE IF THIS IS COVERED. THE FIRST CALL, THEY TOLD ME NO. I THEN STARTED CHECKING TDI FORUMS FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. I THEN CALLED BACK TO "PUSH THE ISSUE" WHICH WAS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS COVERED UNDER THE CARB WARRANTY.HOW MANY PEOPLE CALL THE FIRST TIME AND GET THE SAME ANSWER AS I DID, THEN HAVE TO PAY $1000.00 PLUS LABOR TO FIX THIS? ALSO, WHAT GOOD IS THE TDI IF IT COSTS THIS MUCH TO MAINTAIN? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10651704

Oct 29, 2014Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 12/11/14 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10650977

Oct 29, 2014SuspensionWheels

UPON ENTERING MY DRIVEWAY, MY DRIVER SIDE AXLE TRAILING ARM COMPLETELY SNAPPED. CAR HAS A CLEAN TITLE, BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER USED WITH 9K MILES ON IT. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE GLOBAL RECALL AND CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY, THE INCIDENT AND CAMPAIGN ARE SO NEW THEY DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE TO RESPOND. MY FEELING IS THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE METAL USED & I FIND IT ABSURD THAT ANYONE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SIDE OR REAR COLLISION TO GET THIS PART INSPECTED/REPLACED. I THINK ANY CLIENT OF VW THAT HAS A CAR LISTED NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN - IF THE TRAILING ARM/AXLE WOULD HAVE SNAPPED WHILE I WAS AT SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING NOT ONLY TO ME, MY FAMILY BUT ANYONE ON THE ROAD... I'M CONTINUING TO TALK TO VW BECAUSE MY CONCERN IS THE METAL....AND WHAT ARE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS MADE OF & WHEN WERE THEY MADE?? I DON'T INTEND ON PAYING ONE CENT FOR THIS REPAIR & WILL HOLD VW RESPONSIBLE 100% FOR THIS OR ANY FUTURE ISSUES RESULTING FROM THEIR DEFECTIVE PART/PROCESS....UPDATED 11/06/14 *BF UPDATED 7/27/2015*JS *TR

NHTSA ODI 10651161

Oct 15, 2014Fuel System, Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500.

NHTSA ODI 10644846

Oct 15, 2014Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 10644847

Oct 14, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

VEHICLE JUST EXITED FREEWAY ONTO EXIT RAMP. WHILE BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEED, AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. WHEELS WERE LOCKED, AS IF IT WAS STUCK IN GEAR. VEHICLE SKID SLIGHTLY INTO INTERSECTION ON WET PAVEMENT. VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE WHEN CAR STALLED. VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER OR BEFORE TO INDICATE ENGINE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10644418

Oct 9, 2014Speed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID PREMIUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE THEN INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 5 MPH BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE ANY HIGHER THAN 5 MPH. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ODI 10643705

Sep 27, 2014Fuel system

SEVERAL LIGHTS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH PRECEDED BY A RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE CAR LOST POWER, STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO START ENOUGH TO DRIVE TO THE SHOULDER, AT WHICH POINT IT DIED COMPLETELY. WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE HPFP HAD FAILED AND WAS CONTAMINATED WITH METAL SHAVINGS. TOTAL REBUILD OF THE HPPFP. THE HPFP FAILED AGAIN AT 31,8883, THIS TIME WITH NO WARNING EXCEPT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH IN THE FAST LANE OF I-80. WAS AGAIN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRED. THEY SAID A BOLT FAILED AND THE SYSTEM WAS AGAIN REBUILT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10639504

Sep 26, 2014Visibility & wipersBody & structure

SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY, NO OTHER CARS NEARBY, NOTHING OVERHEAD, NO APPARENT REASON, IT JUST BLEW UP THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE. LUCKILY MY 5 AND 6 YEAR OLD WERE NOT IN THE BACKSEAT :) *TR

NHTSA ODI 10639467

Sep 19, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TRANSMISSION STARTED LAGGING IN MY MANUAL 2013 VW JETTA S WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER SWITCHING INTO SECOND GEAR FROM FIRST GEAR. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE ENGINE SEIZED UP AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON. LUCKILY, WAS JUST ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND WAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. FIRST REPAIR WAS 11/2/2013. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 5 DAYS LATER ON 11/7/2013. GOT IT FIXED, STARTED DRIVING HOME AND THE PROBLEM KICKED IN AGAIN. HAD TO BRING IT IN ON 11/8/2013 FOR THE SAME REPAIR IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS (3RD TIME IN LESS THAN A WEEK). THE IGNITION COIL WAS MISFIRING AND THE SPARK PLUGS KEPT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. ALL WAS WELL IN GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 26, 2014 WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. A WEEK LATER, THE PROBLEM CAME BACK BUT NOW IT'S MORE ON AND OFF. WILL BE TAKING IT IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE 5TH TIME NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10637607

Sep 10, 2014Visibility & wipers

DRIVING HOME ON I-4 THE EVENING OF SEP 10, 2014 AND HEARD A LOUD POP/GUNSHOT SOUND FROM THE SUNROOF, THEN STARTED HEARING GLASS DEBRIS BLOWING OFF THE CAR. IT WAS QUITE A SHOCK TO BOTH MYSELF AND GIRLFRIEND IN THE MOMENT. LUCKILY, I HAD THE SUNROOF INTERIOR COVER CLOSED SO IT DID NOT FALL INTO THE CAR WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. I DID NOT STOP AS I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS SAFE, BUT AFTER ARRIVING HOME ABOUT 8-10 MINS LATER I INSPECTED THE CAR NOTICING THAT THE GLASS WAS NOT SHATTERED IN, BUT PUSHED OUTWARD LIKE THE IMPACT CAME FROM THE INSIDE. THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE CENTER WITH CHARDS OF GLASS INSIDE AND THE ENTIRE SUNROOF HAS CRACKS THROUGHOUT. NOT SURE WHETHER TO FILE A CLAIM OR GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, SO THERE WASN'T A POSSIBILITY FOR VANDALISM. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE LOW 80'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10632336

Aug 30, 2014Electrical system

AUGUST 30, 2014 THIS 2013 VW JETTA 2.5SE HAS HAD AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH TURNING THE CAR OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES. TODAY IT WENT FROM AN INFREQUENT PROBLEM THAT WAS HARD TO DUPLICATE TO A FULL-BLOWN PROBLEM. IT WILL NO LONGER WORK AT ALL AND IS NOW NON-FUNCTIONAL. IT IS NOT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM THAT CAUSES THIS. PRIOR TO TODAY, THE KEY WOULD RANDOMLY NOT TURN TO SHUT OFF THE CAR OR TURN TO START. A SLIGHT PUSH IN AND JIGGLE OF THE KEY WOULD SOLVE THE ISSUE. I ONLY HAVE A HOUSE KEY AND A SMALL VW KEY FOB, NOTHING HEAVY HANGING ON IT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ANY DAMAGE OR WEAR TO THE CYLINDER. TODAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AT ALL. TWISTING, PULLING, PUSHING, AND ANY JIGGLING WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION INTO THE OFF POSITION FOR ENGINE SHUT OFF AND KEY REMOVAL. FORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE IS A MANUAL SHIFT AND I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF BY DUMPING THE CLUTCH. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS STILL ON DUE TO THE KEY BEING IN THE ON-POSITION. I HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE FROM THE TERMINAL TO SHUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OFF AND NOT DRAIN THE BATTERY. MULTIPLE TRIES BY VARIOUS PEOPLE WILL NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIPS ARE ALL CLOSED NOW, UNTIL AFTER LABOR DAY, AND WE CANNOT GET THE CAR SERVICED UNTIL AFTER THAT. I WILL BE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR A WARRANTY REPAIR BUT BEING IGNITION CYLINDER ISSUE, I FELT IT SHOULD BE REPORTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10629618

Aug 15, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

WAS DRIVING WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF BUT RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS WERE STILL ON ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH FINALLY GOT CAR STOPPED AND STARTED BACK UP FINE SERIOUS PROBLEM NEEDS FIXED.... *TR

NHTSA ODI 10622643

Aug 13, 2014Electrical systemBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH, THE ELECTRICAL BOARD BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. ALL OF THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SAFETY PIN THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL BOARD WAS NOT FULLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI 10621920

Aug 13, 2014Electrical system

SO MY VEHICLE IS A 2013.5 VW JETTA GLI (NHTSA DOES NOT HAVE OPTIONS TO LIST THE VARIANT OF THE CAR). SO THE CAR STALLED ON ME THE FIRST TIME IN JULY WHEN I WAS GETTING OF THE EXIT ....JUST LOST COMPLETE ENGINE POWER ...AND BASICALLY THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME. THE STEERING GOT REALLY STIFF AND THE BRAKES BECAME HARD AND IT WAS AN EXTREMELY HORRIFIC SITUATION. THE BATTERY INDICATOR CAME ON ...AND THEN AFTER CRANKING THE CAR BACK UP IT RAN FINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE DAY AFTER (BECAUSE THEY NEEDED AN APPOINTMENT) ...THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR AND THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AS AN "EDUCATED GUESS". ANYWAYS AFTER ABOUT A WEEK ....THE CAR SHUT OFF ON ME TWICE WITHIN A 5 MINUTE DIFFERENCE. EACH TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THAT WAS IT. AND THE LAST TIME THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. DEALER CANNOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE THEY CANNOT REPLICATE AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. SO THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD ...AND NOT A GOOD FEELING TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.I HAVE LOST COMPLETE FAITH IN VW AND MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10621960

Aug 5, 2014Electrical system

THE BLUE TOOTH SYSTEM IN ALL OF THE 2013 AND 2014 JETTA WAGONS IN DEFECTIVE. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS THE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, THE DEALERS KNOW IT IS DEFECTIVE, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO MARKET AND SELL CARS WITH NO PROPOSED FIX TO THE SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ALL OF THE 2013 AND 2014 JETTA WAGONS HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT I ONLY STATE THAT MINE HAS HAD BLUE TOOTH PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE, CALLS DROPPED, UNINTELLIGIBLE CALLS, DID NOT DIAL, ETC. I BELIEVE BOTH VOLKSWAGEN AND THE DEALERS HAVE CONSPIRED TO CONTINUE TO MARKET THE CARS AND JUST TELL THE PUBLIC THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE NOT. AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN ANY STATE WHERE CELL PHONES ARE PROHIBITED FROM BEING USED, LIKE UTAH. I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THE JETTA WAGONS SHOULD BE RECALLED, ALL SALES OF NEW WAGONS STOPPED, AND THAT BOTH THE DEALERS AND VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE FINED FOR KNOWINGLY MARKETING AND SELLING A DEFECTIVE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10618985

Jul 17, 2014Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE CONTROL RELAY DEVICE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10611343

Jul 16, 2014Engine & cooling

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,600. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ

NHTSA ODI 10611059

Jul 14, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

CAR WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN PROBLEMS BEGAN. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED, THE CAR'S TACH JUST REVVED UP WITH NO ACCELERATION. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND WE HAD TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE. UPON EXITING, THE CAR SEEMED TO BE STUCK IN GEAR BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WE TRIED SWITCHING TO SPORT MODE AND MANUAL MODE BUT NEITHER MADE A DIFFERENCE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN 15MPH UPON EXITING FREEWAY AND WAS LIMPED INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS CRASH AS VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10610528

Jun 17, 2014SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

I WENT THROUGH SOME WATER (NOT MUCH) ANDTHEN WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT I STOPPED THE CAR. AFTER LESS THAN A MINUTE OF BEING STOPPED THE CAR STALLED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THE BATTERY IS NEW AND I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN DECEMBER 2013 AND IT IS A YEAR MODEL 2013. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES UNTIL NOW. I WENT TO TURN A CORNER AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, CAR STALLED, AND STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THIS ISSUE IS, BUT THE CAR IS ONLY ABOUT A YEAR OLD (IF EVEN THAT). VERY FRUSTRATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10599015

Jun 5, 2014Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN DRIVING UP A STEEP, SNOWY HILL WITH STUDDED SNOW TIRES, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION IMPROPERLY REGULATED THE WHEEL CONTROL AND SPEED. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE UP THE HILL AS A RESULT OF MY TIRES CONTINUOUSLY LOCKING UP, DISABLING ANY FORWARD MOTION. WHEN THIS ESC CONTROL PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING UP THE HILL, I WAS FORCED TO RETREAT FROM MY DESTINATION, DRIVING IN, WHAT I CONSIDERED TO BE, MORE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH TWO-WHEEL DRIVE WERE ABLE TO SURMOUNT THIS HILL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF MY CAR. PLEASE NOTE, THIS REPORT IS FOR A 2013 JETTA TDI SEDAN, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE A ESC BUTTON FOR OPTIONAL ESC USE. ALL OTHER JETTA MODELS INCLUDE AN ESC BUTTON TO GIVE THE DRIVER AN OPTION TO DISABLE THE ESC CONTROLS DURING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION FOR THE 2013 JETTA TDI SEDAN. WHEN I QUERIED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT INSTALLING AN ESC OPTIONAL BUTTON WAS NOT ALLOWED IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10596337

Jun 3, 2014Electrical systemLights

BOTH OF MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF. MY CAR WAS RUNNING AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.. THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TURN OFF THE CAR. IF THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN CLOSED OR THE CAR REQUIRED GAS OR I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN. I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY RECOURSE BUT TO RUN THE CAR UNTIL IT CUT OFF BUT STILL THE KEYS WOULD BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION. BOTH INCIDENT ARE VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS..THE IGNITION LOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED AND BOTH LIGHTS HAS TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 42, 000.. THIS IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THESE ARE BOTH SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. VW CUSTOMER CARE REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT AND COST WAS OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10595750

May 19, 2014Fuel system

CAR IS A DIESEL/TDI. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) AND ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SAME CAR (ONCE AGAIN IN MAY OF 2014 - EXACT SAME PROBLEM). *JS

NHTSA ODI 10592606

May 6, 2014Brakes

ATTEMPTED TO USE MY BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DIDN'T STOP THE CAR. UPON THE SECOND OR THIRD PUMP, IT DID FINALLY ENGAGE. THIS DELAY IN THE BRAKE CAUSED ME TO RUN A STOP SIGN. I WAS LUCKY NO ONE WAS AROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10586790

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hev verdict →