What 586 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hev

I would assume the issue had something to do with the power train. 2 days after i had bought the car my wife and i were on our way to the gym and we had just came to a complete stop. Upon entering the highway the car would no longer accelerate no matter how much pressure was put on the accelerator pedal. The engine light also came on. Luckily there were no cars behind me and I was able to pull over with the car moving on its own. This is really dangerous. This has happened to me multiple times. I have taken it back to the dealership i had bought the car from and they have a private mechanic that solely works for the company. He has scanned for any codes and has told me no codes are populating so he’s not sure why the engine light is still on. It was taken to a VW dealership and the vehicle will no longer start. There was an electrical issue at some point and now might be a transmission issue along with other things.

NHTSA ODI 11566870

I was driving on a rainy day on the freeway where my breaks went out on me. I pressed down all of the way and the car wouldn’t stop. After I let go of the break I then pressed on the break again and they seemed to have locked on me. I ended up using my emergency breaks and was able to get off the freeway and luckily no one was hurt. Soon after they started working again and I was able to get it safely to a near by shop.

NHTSA ODI 11509328

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

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

NHTSA ODI 11471593

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

The brake system has malfunctioned, and I would be happy for you to inspect it. The brakes come on suddenly when the foot brake is not being applied. The car will not move when this happens, creating a very dangerous situation on the road. I have been stranded in a lane with cars zooming around me. Everyone is at risk. A tech on the VW helpline confirmed the problem with my mechanic and suggested two very expensive fixes which have not resolved the problem. There have been no warning indicators for this problem. It happens randomly and unexpectedly.

NHTSA ODI 11458873

The transmissions on the 2013-2016 Jetta Hybrids have an extremely high failure rate. These transmissions fail without warning and leave the car without propulsion and deactivate the regenerative brakes causing the car to behave erratically. VW issued a recall (19V866000) but are claiming owners within those model years with the exact same issues are "not covered". I have experienced this myself and you can find many many many examples on the complaints section of this website. VW issued a recall but is claiming everyones vin is not included.

NHTSA ODI 11452765

The ABS lights go on and the speedometer stopped working and all the lights have activated. the abs module has been reported that there is a defect in most of the jettas and so i believe that this should be a recall issue.

NHTSA ODI 11445121

THE BRAKE DID NOT APPLY. AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WAS IN "R" (REVERSE), THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11395896

IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT DOWN ELECTRICALLY, AS IF A FUSE SHORTED, ALMOST ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS TURNED ON, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND THE BRAKES WENT UNRESPONSIVE, NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION. ONCE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT WAS TURNED OFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, THE SAME DASHBOARD LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 40MPH, CREATING ANOTHER ACCIDENT RISK DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE HOME.

NHTSA ODI 11384295

THE MECHATRONIC UNIT HAD ALREADY HAD TO BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE 2ND ISSUE HAPPENED I WAS AT THE STOPLIGHT IN THE CAR LOST ALL MOVEMENT POWER THE AC AND ALL THE INSTRUMENTS WERE ALSO WORKING DOOR LOCKS WINDOWS EVERYTHING I GOT IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY IT WAS THE ELECTRIC MOTOR QUOTED ME NEARLY $12000

NHTSA ODI 11376880

HYBRID MODULE WORK SHOP WARNING. THE CAR HAS NOW POWER BREAKS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR UNDER PERFORMS WHEN THE ELECTRIC DRIVE DOES NOT WORK. NO POWER BRAKES ADD TO THE PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED 2 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT A DRIVE ABILITY AND SAFETY ISSUE. VW HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL WITH A SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI 11307892

MY 18 YEAR WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN A SIDE STREET WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYBODY BY PULLING TO THE SIDE AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO DRIFT TO A STOP. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 43000 MILES AND JUST CAME OUT OF WARRANTY LESS THAN 9 MONTHS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. CAR WAS TOWED TO A VW DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD FAILED. VW REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $1000. VW INSISTS THIS IS NOT A CHRONIC PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES DESPITE THE FACT THAT COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY THIS PROBLEM ARE PREVALENT ON THE INTERNET.

NHTSA ODI 11166316

I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STAYED GOING AT THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING IT WOULD NOT EXHILARATE OR BRAKE IT STAYED FROZEN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES

NHTSA ODI 11097146

BRAKING IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE NEARLY CAUSES AN ACCIDENT DAILY. CAR SWITCHES BETWEEN REGENERATIVE BRAKING/FRICTION BRAKES CONSTANTLY AND MAKES IT HARD TO PROPERLY SLOW THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI 11078867

2013 JETTA HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11061788

2013 VW JETTA HYBRID THE VECHILES FELT LIKE IT WAS CUTTING IN AND OUT AT EVER STOP AND JERKED US BACK AND FORTH ALITTLE.. AFTER RETURNING TO NORTH COAST AUTOMALL OF AKRON. THEY SAID THAT WAS NORMAL THAT ALL HYBRIDS DID THAT.. SO YES I WAS EXCITED HAVEN'T HAD A NEW CAR IN ALONG TIME . AFTER WILLING AND DEALING WITH BANKS THEY SAID WE NEED 1500.00 DOWN AND YOU MUST BUY THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY OR ALL BETS OFF. NOT TRYING TO FIGHT WITH ANYONE AT THE TIME MY GIRL WAS UPSET AND DIDN'T WANT TO PAY ANOTHER 2500 FOR THIS WARRANTY THAT WE TOLD FIXED ANYTHING ON THIS CAR.. AFTER FINALLY JUST SAYING SCREW IT GUESS YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS MAY COME. SO THEY PROMISED ME A NEW TIRE AND GAVE ME A PLATINUM EXTENDED WARRANTY PACKET SENT US ON ARE WAY . ALSO INCLUDE WAS THE VECHILES HAD LIGHT DAMAGE TO IT NOTHING MAJOR..., SO AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A COUPLE DAYS NOTICE SERIOUS STAKING LIKE AND JERKY BAD .. SO TOOK IT BACK TO DEAL TO GET TIRE PUT ON AND VECHILES CHECKED WENT TO MALL ACROSS STREET TO COME BACK TO WE CAN'T GET UR CAR RUNNING IT JUST WON'T START.. SO AFTER LEAVING IN A LENDER CAR LET ME REMIND YOU THE CAR I JUST GOT 3 DAYS BEFORE.. SO DAVE WALTERS VW DEALERSHIP CALLS AND SAY NEED A MECHTRONIC UNIT.. .. SO AT 63000 MILES THEY SAID LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING BE ABOUT 3,000 TO FIXS.. ONLY 3,000 MILES OUT OF POWERTRAIN WARRANTY VW CORP.. TELLS ME POWELL WE CAN'T HELP YOU THIS MATTER HAS BEEN RESOLVED YEARS AGO.. SO AFTER FIGHTING WITH VW AND NCOAST I PRETTY MUCH WAS SO AFTER MONTHS OF FIGHTING BACK AND FORTH SUMMER HITS.. NO A/C AND VW OF BRUNSWICK TELLS ME 500.00 AND WELL FIX THE A/C AND GET YOUR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO FIXED THE TRANNY.. SO AFTER DAYS OF A LOANER AGAIN I'M BACK AT SQUARE WELL YOUR EXTENDED WARRANTY DOESN'T AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS OF GETTING PUSHED AROUND BYE LAIRS , FRAUD , FALSE INFO AND SOLD A FALSE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND VW CORP THAT DOESN'T WANT

NHTSA ODI 11016446

BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI 10903055

MY CAR DISPLAYS NO PROBLEMS ON THE DASH, THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON BUT WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR STALLS AND SOMETIMES JUST SHUTS OFF LOCKING MY BRAKES AND STEERING. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS GOING UNDER 20MPH. AFTER IT SHUTS OF I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK TO RESTART AND IT RESTARTS WITHOUT A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10893236

I'M REALLY FRUSTRATED HERE WITH VOLKSWAGEN IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR JANUARY THE CAR'S BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I'VE BEEN AT THE DOCTOR. AT FIRST IT WAS THE WATER PUMP FOR THE TURBO THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED THEN TWO WEEKS AFTER I GOT THAT REPAIRED IT WAS THE BRAKE SENSOR THEN A WEEK AFTER THAT IT WAS THE VACUUM PUMP FOR THE BRAKES, AND THE WORK DOESN'T STOP FROM THERE IT SEEMS LIKE FROM THERE I HAD TO GET A REPAIR KIT IT'S A SEAL THAT GOES BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE INCLUDING THE DUAL CLUTCH FOR THE HYBRID AND ENGINE TRANSMISSION. AS OF TODAY MAY 13TH 2016 I WAS JUST TOLD THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS GOING AHEAD AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SAME ERROR CODE CAME UP FROM THE LAST REPAIRS THAT WERE DONE THERE'S BEEN ROUGHLY AROUND $12,000 REPAIRS EITHER PAID BY THE INSURANCE EXTENDED WARRANTY OR VOLKSWAGEN. I'VE PAID OUT OF POCKET ROUGHLY AROUND $500 PLUS RENTAL INSURANCE THAT I HAD TO GET BECAUSE OF GET ANOTHER CAR TO MOVE AROUND. I HAVE FILED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO HAVE THE CAR REPLACED BUY THEM AND THEY CONTINUE TO DENY LEFT AND RIGHT SAYING THAT I SHOULD BE GOING THROUGH THE WARRANTY REPAIRS. IT SEEMS LIKE NO MATTER WHAT REPAIRS ARE DONE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND 4000 MILES LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS THERE'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN THERE IN THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT I CAN'T DRIVE FAR ENOUGH OR TAKE A SMALL LITTLE VACATION WITH THE FAMILY WITHOUT HAVING SOME TYPE OF CONCERNED IF MY VEHICLES IN IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 10864762

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR REVERSE, IT WOULD JERK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 10855562

THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAL WHEN BRAKING. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO SOUTH COAST SANTA ANA VW 3 TIMES AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND THEY INSIST THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND THAT IT'S JUST PART OF THE MATERIAL THEY MANUFACTURE THE BRAKES WITH. THEY CLAIM THAT THE SQUEALING IS NORMAL AND CAUSED BY BRAKE DUST. THE RESULT OF THE FAULTY BRAKES IS LOSS IN STOPPING POWER. THE CAR ALSO HAS BEEN LUNGING OR WHAT FEELS LIKE SLIPPING GEARS WHEN I ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE. IT 'S A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING ON BOTH SURFACE STREETS AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THAT CREATES AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. THE CONDITION SEEMS TO PERSIST MORE WHEN STARTING FROM A COLD START. VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH COAST DEALER IN SANTA ANA CLAIMS TO BE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE IT COUNTLESS TIMES AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS.

NHTSA ODI 10794951

AT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A FOUR LANE STREET THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE CAR CONTINUED TO FUNCTION ON LITHIUM ION BATTERY WITH EPC AND BATTERY ICONS LIT, UNTIL THE CHARGE WENT TO ZERO AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDING GAUGES CEASED. THE CAR WAS DEAD BUT ROLLING. I HAD A QUARTER MILE WITH NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME TO STOP, LUCKILY I DID 15 FEET BEFORE A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER MISSING TWO LIGHTS I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE WITH DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE (LITTLE POWER) TO MY DEALERSHIP THAT WAS 1 MILE AWAY. THIS IS NOT HOW MY SERVICE INVOICE WAS WRITTEN UP. IN WRITING THEY PUT "STALLED AT LIGHT". I AM ATTACHING AN EMAIL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER STATING THAT NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND.

NHTSA ODI 10788614

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

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