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 3 of 24

Feb 4, 2023Electrical system

The door locks will try to auto-lock once the vehicle has passed a set speed but fail, making an audible double-lock sound. The car will continue to try and auto-lock after each stop (stop sign, stop light, etc) and continue to fail. Happens intermittently.

NHTSA ODI 11505565

Jan 30, 2023AirbagsSpeed control

Component Failure: Airbag Light is On, No steering wheel electronic controls work including cruise control. Safety: I'm uncertain if the Airbag will deploy in the event of a crash. Dealer Confirmed: Dealer states the Steering Wheel Clock Spring requires replacement, but that it is not a part of the VW recall issued August 2015. Inspected: Hiley VW Dealership inspected the vehicle Warning Lamps: Airbag Light is currently on. Uncertain when it started since I'm the 2nd owner of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11504479

Dec 21, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced in 2017 however, the failure occurred. The failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498355

Dec 11, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemAirbags

Vehicle would not shift, OBD2 code P037B "stuck in gear 6." Vehicle towed to a auto mechanic that said they spoke with VW dealer and confirmed it was a crack in the transmission and was undriveable. I have contacted VW who have said there are recalls for many transmissions of this Jetta but not for my VIN. I have also had issues with the clock spring (replaced) and an air bag sensor (malfunction light still on) and now the transmission. There are recalls for Hybrid Jettas of this year but apparently not for my VIN. It seems like a large coincidence and feels like it should be investigated, especially considering the other issues VW was investigated for at this time of production.

NHTSA ODI 11496935

Dec 2, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

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 manufacturer had been informed of the failure and texted the contact that the failure occurred before the recall and would not be covered. The failure mileage was approximately 86,097.

NHTSA ODI 11495779

Nov 5, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Transmision slips into neutral, stopping car in traffic, other jetta hybrids fall under recall for same reason, it also leaks fluid from Transmission

NHTSA ODI 11492436

Oct 21, 2022Airbags

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn was inoperable. The failure was constant. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the clock spring for the vehicle was on national back order. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ODI 11490322

Sep 23, 2022Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11486108

Sep 22, 2022Brakes

The car automatically locked its brakes without me even touching the brakes while I was going 60mph and almost lost control. My safety was put at risk because the car locked its brakes without me pushing the breaks, they would not disengage and was stuck in the middle of the road with the brakes not releasing and almost caused an accident. I has happened multiple times but not confirmed by dealer or independent mechanic.The vehicle has been inspected by VW dealer. No warning lights came on the dash.

NHTSA ODI 11485904

Sep 19, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle failed to shift into drive or reverse. The vehicle was stuck in neutral and failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11485292

Sep 16, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

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.

NHTSA ODI 11484836

Sep 15, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train) however, the failure recurred while his father was driving at an undisclosed speed, and the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11484590

Aug 27, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

This is a hybrid car and the power train at low rpm’s should transfer the fuel source from gas to battery. This function should occur in a stop position as well. The car now shifts in and out of battery power source and hesitates severely from a stop position. It sounds very much like the recall of over 25% of these vehicles for the mechtronic issues. My car was not included in the recall but I believe this is the same or similar dangerous issue. I have communicate that with VWoA with no results.

NHTSA ODI 11481499

Aug 24, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that after shifting to drive(D), the vehicle would not accelerate or respond as needed. The contact attempted to shift into another gear however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11481076

Aug 9, 2022Suspension

Left front coil spring broke. Made popping sound while turning. Coil spring has two pink and two white dots.

NHTSA ODI 11478340

Jul 5, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

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.

NHTSA ODI 11472310

Jul 5, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle and the vehicle continued to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. While at the dealer, an unknown software update was performed. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472413

Jun 29, 2022Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsBrakes

Transmission shifts hard and told to this is a common problem with the Jetta hybrids.

NHTSA ODI 11471593

Jun 15, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The mechatronic unit in the transmission failed without warning and caused the vehicle to not move while while in traffic. This issue plagues almost every Jetta Hybrid and VW of America will not correct this serious safety issue. This transmission has an extremely high failure rate and needs to be recalled across the board. VW has issued a recall for this issue but is not including all Jetta Hybrids that are experiencing this exact issue. An investigation needs to happen!

NHTSA ODI 11469394

Jun 8, 2022Airbags

Airbag malfunction indicator lamp has illuminated, horn is not funtional. Returned to Volkswagen dealership for diagnosis, prognosis being faulty "clock spring." Was previously indicated as repaired under recall exhibiting same symptoms some years previously but, problem has resurfaced and is persisting.

NHTSA ODI 11468336

Jun 7, 2022Electrical systemEngine

NHTSA recall no: 19V-866 Manufacturer Recall no: 34J6 Volkswagen is refusing to replace my mechatronic unit.

NHTSA ODI 11468055

May 23, 2022Brakes

On more than one occasion the front left brake seized up. The last time was when I was on a toll road and felt warbling in the tires so I got off on an exit and when I reached the red light the left front brake seized up and the car wouldn't budge. Once the car rested and the brake cooled off I was able to drive it to a safe place and had it towed to the VW dealership who because they couldn't get it to duplicate the issue couldn't tell me what was wrong. It does not happen consistently and I fear to think that if I was doing 55 MPH the car would have caused a horrible accident. In the past when it happened the car would not accelerate over 40 MPH and I could feel the brakes were applying pressure.

NHTSA ODI 11465787

May 18, 2022Visibility & wipers

I had just gotten in my car with my wife to go to the grocery store. There was a small mosquito flying around the windshield on the driver's side. I extended my right arm, flicked my wrist, smashing the mosquito with the backs of my fingers. In squashing the mosquito with VERY little force I cracked my windshield significantly. The windshield in question was installed by Safelite in Martinez GA in 2019 after the previous windshield was cracked by a rock thrown from the road. My concern is Safelite is installing sub-par windshields and if this windshield had been hit by a rock thrown by a vehicle it would've killed me. I have tried to bring this issue to Safelite's attention but they dismissed what I told them and said anyone could say that to have their windshield fixed for free. In my opinion this is obviously a case of defective materials and should be covered by their lifetime warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11465081

May 4, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated after starting his vehicle, he was unable to move the gear shifter into a desired gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the mechatronic assembly unit to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,918.

NHTSA ODI 11463339

May 1, 2022SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

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.

NHTSA ODI 11462983

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 586 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

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 →