What 586 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

While driving on freeway going 80mph in carpool with my toddler in backseat the car turned off losing all power to car. engine stopped, steering did not work, brakes did not work, and all lights on dash turned off along with headlights and break lights. i pulled into emergency lane and pulled key out. the car restarted back up but no lights were on dash to indicate anything was wrong with it. took the car into local mechanic they could not duplicate issue, and didnt find any codes. car was returned not fixed. it has happened 6 more times 5 times while driving and one time while sitting in a starbucks drive through each time taking key out and able to restart car. took car into vw dealership, and told them the issue with no light saying anything. checked for codes. no codes where found mechanic still now trying to duplicate issue. this is very dangerous issue that needs attention to if it wasn't for just a few cars on the freeway my son and myself would have been gone from a malfunction from the vehicle. I hope no one else encounters this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11441174

I was driving on the street and my check engine light came on, as I was making a turn at about 35 miles an hour my car acted like it kicked into neutral and when pressing the gas just revved the engine. I safely pulled over to the side and had the car towed to a mechanic. He took a look and said there was a significant leak coming from the transmission and I should take it to a VW dealership because there are a lot of recalls for this type of stuff. I had it towed to VW and they said it was a hairline crack in the transmission that caused an oil leak into the electronic gearbox which caused the loss of control and power. They said there is no recall and it would be a $12,000.00 fix. The car has 47K original miles on it, no wrecks, and I've never missed an oil change.

NHTSA ODI 11441057

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that after stopping at a red traffic light and attempting to move off, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause for the failure. The contact had the vehicle taken to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train) which the contact believed was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI 11440457

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V866000 (Power Train). The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer for the recall repair however, when the dealer inspected the vehicle the dealer informed the contact they would not be able to perform the recall repair due severe wear and tear on the 1st clutch. The dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced prior to performing the recall repair. The contact was informed that replacing the transmission would be an out of pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,801.

NHTSA ODI 11439088

Car was purchased recently from used car dealer Unique Imports in Tucson. Car was being driven by my wife onto I10 at about 50mph and suddenly lost drive. There was no power being transmitted either from the electric motor or the gasoline engine. With foot on the gas pedal as the car lost speed the gas engine was heard revving but there was no drive. She stopped the car put hazards on and called me. I drove to the car, swapped with her and waited an hour. I was able to start the car and by that time drive had returned so I retrieved the car and returned the short distance home. Then on 10/29 the car was being driven along Tangerine Road and the same problem recurred. A complete loss of drive without warning, necessitating a careful pull over without power onto the hard shoulder. A sudden loss of drive like this is dangerous but fortunately this did not happen on the Interstate this time. Again I drove out to the stranded car, swapped cars and waited. I was able to return home a distance of about 5 miles although the problem recurred twice on the way and each time I had to pull over on the dirt shoulder and wait with hazard signal active for some time for the transmission to restore drive. When it did, it took longer each time. I called VW North America to see if this vehicle was subject to the recall for the mechatronic unit malfunction that causes clutch drivetrain failures exactly like this one. This car had no open recalls in spite of the symptoms, failure mode and driving risk all matching NHTSA 19V-866 https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCLRPT-19V866-3182.PDF I was informed by VW NA that there was a recall work undertaken by VW North Scottsdale earlier in 2021 pertaining to this issue. The car is not safely driveable until this issue is resolved. Clearly this is not an isolated event. This dangerous failure mode is a systematic problem with this model of vehicle that should be fully addressed by the manufacturer despite the previous recall

NHTSA ODI 11439107

This is the same as Campagin number 19V866000 (VW recall number 34J6). Hairline cracks have developed in the mechatronic unit, causing transmission oil leaks and decreases in oil pressure. Loss of power greatly increases the risk of a crash, because the issue is largest at low speeds or after stopping.

NHTSA ODI 11434722

There is a recall on 2013-2015 VW Jetta Hybrid transmissions. I have a 2013 VW Jetta Hybrid. on September 21, 2021, the transmission malfunctioned, causing the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in the car being unable to drive. My wife was driving the car by herself on a a busy interstate in Denver, Colorado (I-25) at approximately 3 PM. She was stranded on a highway in rush hour traffic for approximately 15 minutes as our stalled car held up traffic and was dangerous for my wife to sit in the car during this time. It was a stressful situation for my wife that threatened not only her safety but of others that drove on I-25 that afternoon. After approximately 15 minutes the clutch was able to engage again and the car was able to drive. The car is available for inspection. I believe the problem has been identified because there is a recall out for the 2013-2015 VW Jetta Hybrid! They have not contacted me about repairing this recall. I asked the local VW dealer about this and they have not addressed the problem. The vehicle has been inspected by the local dealer, but not police, insurance representatives or others. No known issues occurred with this car for the 8 years I have owned it and been the sole owner.

NHTSA ODI 11433976

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 119,450.

NHTSA ODI 11430725

2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MECHATRONIC ACCUMULATOR HOUSING SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11428963

The vehicle's transmission failed to go into reverse when my daughter was driving. We took the Jetta to the Dansbury Volkswagen dealer in CT.

NHTSA ODI 11427894

2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MECHATRONIC ACCUMULATOR HOUSING SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2019. THE MECHATRONIC ACCUMULATOR HOUSING WAS FAULTY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME STUCK IN PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI 11427401

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into PARK and restarted the vehicle however, while driving, the failure recurred. The hybrid system failure warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as the transmission and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11424498

I'm hoping you can help me. I have a 2013 Jetta Hybrid SE 1.4L auto pzev with 47,000 original miles. I'm the second owner and I purchased it with 19,000 original miles. I've never missed an oil change and always kept it up to date with maintenance. I was driving on the street and my check engine light came on, as I was making a turn at about 35 miles an hour my car acted like it kicked into neutral and when pressing the gas just revved the engine. I safely pulled over to the side and had the car towed to a mechanic. He took a look and said there was a significant leak coming from the transmission and I should take it to a VW dealership because there are a lot of recalls for this type of stuff. I had it towed to VW and they said it was a hairline crack in the transmission that caused an oil leak into the electronic gearbox which caused the loss of control and power. They said there is no recall and it would be a $12,000.00 fix. The car has 47K original miles on it, no wrecks, and I've never missed an oil change. Had I not quickly reacted I could of caused a car accident injuring or killing myself or someone else. This is unbelievable that VW is not being held responsible for this. There is a recall for this exact problem Recall Number: 34J6 but for some reason it does no include my specific Jetta. How is that possible?

NHTSA ODI 11423977

What component or system failed. Mechatronics unit on 2013 VW Hybrid SEL Premium. Available for inspection. Yes Safety. Driving the vehicle with a cold engine will cause a complete loss of power Reproduced by dealer or ISC. Somewhat. They've confirmed a loss of transmission pressure which is in line with Recall 34J6 in May/June 2021, but my specific VIN doesn't apply to the 34J6 recall. Due to VW, the dealership was unable to inform me exactly what was wrong with the transmission but only that it needed to be replaced at a cost of $7400. Campaign / Recall 38C4 was applied to the vehicle 04/25/20 @ 55,579 miles. Inspected by VW Dealership. Warning Lamps: "Error Hybrid system Contact Dealer now!" "Automatic transmission malfunction" Automatic transmission malfunction (flashing wrench symbol & selector symbol)" First noticed October 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11423749

This is a hybrid VW Jetta 2013 Transmission loss of reverse , 2nd, 4th, 6th, gears . I read there is a recall 34J6 for transmission supposedly to be in effect may 31, 2021

NHTSA ODI 11420543

On 05/21/2021 while merging onto the I-5 freeway in Olympia at high speed the EPC dash light came on and the car lost all acceleration and had to swerve off onto the shoulder to avoid any collision (felt like car had stalled). Luckily it was in early AM so traffic was not as bad as normal. Once on the shoulder the car would not move. Contacted Geico and had car towed into the closest Volkswagon service center once they opened. After the inspection (05/24/2021) was told that the mechatronic unit had failed and there were metal shards throughout the transmission that couldn't be removed, so the entire transmission would need to be replaced. There was no warning of the failure; there was a check engine light on previously for a different mechanical issue (vacuum pump) that began 03/10/2021. At that time the car was closely inspected at a VW dealership and I was told safe to drive until I could get it repaired (just hybrid system would no longer function). At that time they updated some software on the car for a separate recall (38C4). The car has been inspected by two separate Volkswagon service centers, Volkswagon of Olympia (where the car is currently for the transmission failure), and back on 03/10/2021 at the Burlington WA Volkswagon dealership. Researched the issue and this particular model and production year had been recalled under #34F6, however for whatever reason my VIN number was not included in the recall. I believe this car should have been included in that recall.

NHTSA ODI 11418477

CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR TRANSMISSION IS CRACKED AND VW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING

NHTSA ODI 11414222

ABOUT 2 DAYS AFTER HAVING MY FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED DUE TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING/IN CONJUNCTION WITH MISFIRING, I GOT THE HYBRID LIGHT. IT WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. I NOTICED RPM'S AND CHARGE LEVELS WERE FLUCTUATING ALONG PRIOR TO LOSS OF POWER. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AGAIN. SHUT OFF VEHICLE. WAITED A MINUTE. TURNED VEHICLE BACK ON THEN CONTINUED DRIVING. HAD ONE ADDITIONAL LOSS OF POWER BUT THE HYBRID LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON. THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR SHOWED A WRENCH INSTEAD OF "D" THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD DESPITE HEARING THE ENGINE REV.

NHTSA ODI 11405481

MY VEHICLE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW HAS STALLED OUT ON ME AND CAUSED IT TO GO IN TO LIMP MODE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I SEE THERE IS A RECALL AND NO FIX IS AVAILABLE BUT THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHEN IT DOES THIS AND I CANNOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. IT WILL HAPPEN ANYWHERE I AM WHERE IT'S A BACK ROAD OR ON THE INTERSTATE.I FEEL THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD TAKE BACK THIS VEH BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SYSTEM. I FEEL VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD PAY MY LOAN OFF SO I CAN GET IN TO ANOTHER SAFER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11403763

HAIRLINE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC GEARBOX (MECHATRONIC UNIT), CAUSING AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK AND A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE.

NHTSA ODI 11397805

DURING NORMAL AROUND-TOWN OPERATION THE VEHICLE (2013 JETTA HYBRID) EXPERIENCED A TEMPORARY LOSS OF DRIVE POWER. IT FELT LIKE THE CLUTCH SLIPPED OR BECAME DISENGAGED MOMENTARILY (3 SECONDS). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED. WE IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. AFTER READING OUT A DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODE (P0841 - TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE) AND NOTING THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DARK AND CONTAMINATED WITH A BURNT SMELL, THE INITIAL SHOP DECIDED THE REPAIR WAS BEYOND THEIR ABILITY AS IT SEEMED TO BE RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH WHICH IS EMBEDDED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE UNDER 600 PSI PRESSURE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN WITHOUT INCIDENCE A FEW MILES (5) TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHERE FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS TOOK PLACE. THEY UNCOVERED 2 ADDITIONAL ERROR CODES (P1806- FUNCTION RESTRICTION DUE TO PRESSURE DROP) AND (P17713 - CLUTCH TOLERANCE). AFTER A FEW DAYS OF INTERNAL DEBATE AT VW (I BELIEVE THEY CONTACTED THE CHIEF ENGINEER OR GURU FOR THAT PARTICULAR UNIT), THE DEALER CAME BACK WITH THE PROGNOSIS THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT THE COST OF ABOUT $9000. IN THE WEEKS PREVIOUS TO THIS EPISODE, WE HAD NOTICED WHAT FELT LIKE A MILD SLIPPING OF THE CLUTCH, BUT NEVER A FULL LOSS OF POWER AND NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT. THE PROBLEMS WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOUND IDENTICAL TO THOSE REPORTED IN NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 19V866000 (VW'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 34J6), WHICH STATES 'HAIRLINE CRACKS CAN DEVELOP WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC GEARBOX (MECHATRONIC UNIT), CAUSING AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK AND A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE. 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.' IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE CURRENT RECALL PERHAPS NEEDS TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE. THIS CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD, BUT ONLY HAS 47K MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11397620

GEARS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY, LOSES POWER TO WHERE I HAVE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE I CAN'T ACCELERATE. THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF I AM NOT ABLE TO GET TO A SPOT TO PULL OVER TO. 01/ I HAVE HAD DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED WHICH THEY ALL COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION THAT IS NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. THESE ARE THE CODES IT IS PUTTING OUT: P073A STUCK IN GEAR 5, P1731 GEARS POSITION DISTANCE SENSOR 3:ELECTRONIC ERROR, P1731C GEAR POSITION DISTANCE SENSOR 3:IMPLAUSIBLE SIGNAL AND P072B STUCK IN REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JAN OF 2020. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON 2013-2014 JETTA HYBRIDS FOR THESE SAME PROBLEMS BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS

NHTSA ODI 11396775

DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AND WITH NO WARNING ALL POWER WAS LOST TO PROPEL THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITH NO WARNING, AN ACCIDENT NEARLY OCCURRED. RECALLS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL OF VEHICLE ARE DOCUMENTED (13V568000 AND 19V866000) BUT FOR SOME REASON VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT COVERING ALL 2013 JETTA HYBRIDS UNDER THESE RECALLS, WHICH BOTH INDICATE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO TRANSMISSION/GEAR BOX ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11394592

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS TO CHEAPLE AUTO SALES INC (3626 AIRLINE DR, METAIRIE, LA 70001, (504) 841-0027) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED AT THE DEALER UNDRIVABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO LOG A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

NHTSA ODI 11394343

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK FOR 30 SECONDS AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT TURNED ON BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER (MISSION BAY VOLKSWAGEN ' (ADDRESS 2205 MORENA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92110) TO BE DIAGNOSED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK INTO THE ELECTRICAL GEARBOX CAUSING IT TO FAIL. I'M THE SECOND OWNER AND IT HAS 47,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11390870