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)

36 of 586 complaints match · Steering · clear filters · page 1 of 2

May 24, 2024Steering

I am Filing a complaint against Volkswagen group of America, I called they for assistants in fixing an issue with one of their dealers to replace an ignition switch. Volkswagen said they stand by their dealer and would not let me speak to the Zone Reps for that area or the Dealer Reps that assist the customer in coming to a solution. The Ignition switch is a safety item and the dealer is trying to charge me a high price for a new key because they own a monopoly in the area.

NHTSA ODI 11590597

Dec 26, 2023Steering

Ignition cylinder failure. Key would come out while driving, car would stay on, key would not turn in the ignition. Finally wheel locked and key will not turn at all therefore I can’t put my car in neutral.

NHTSA ODI 11561886

Aug 25, 2023Steering

This vehicle and other vehicles of the same model have a faulty ignition cylinder lock housing causing the key to be unable to turn the car to off and be removed from the ignition. This does not allow the driver to park and leave the car as the key remains stuck and unable to turn. This problem has been reported by a dealer as an issue that is fixed weekly on other vehicles of the same make and model in shop.The vehicle has been inspected by the Volkswagen dealership and determined to be a failure within the vehicle. The key in the ignition has occasionally become stuck but, now remains in the vehicle for consistently after each drive for up to 30 minutes of trying to remove it.

NHTSA ODI 11540805

Aug 13, 2023SteeringElectrical system

my steering wheel locked up

NHTSA ODI 11538238

Aug 8, 2023SteeringElectrical system

The key gets stuck in the ignition switch and the car is not able to turn off. In order to remove the key you have to jiggle it several times which could be minutes or up to an hour. Could be a safety issue if I’m somewhere and need to turn the car off immediately. Was told this is a costly repair but if this is a known issue (and it is) why is this not a recall when possible damage or injury could occur.

NHTSA ODI 11537164

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

Feb 1, 2022Steering

Ignition key difficult to pull out from starter. Sometimes difficult to start car, but it can be wiggled in or out with some effort. Dangerous if it can get removed and engine continues working. Key can be reinserted to turn off. Sometimes difficult to start. Taken to local (Tucson AZ) dealership and told that there is no VW recall for this issue. I believe there is a recall. Dealership refused to fix it. Not covered as part of warranty either. We had to pay to get it fixed. Dealership appeared not to know of existence of a recall for the ignition key problem. We request a refund. Please inform them that such a recall exists. Chapman Volkswagen 4426 E 22nd .St. Tucson, AZ (520) 445-4024 Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11449833

Dec 20, 2020SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

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

Dec 16, 2020SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V866000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING CEASED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE, THEN TO PIGNATARO VOLKSWAGEN (10633 EVERGREEN WAY, EVERETT, WA 98204) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,936.

NHTSA ODI 11383690

Oct 26, 2020SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF BY ITSELF. IT FIRST STARTED WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, NOW IT SHUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11366544

Sep 9, 2020SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I KEEP GETTING PHONE CALLS OF VEHICLE RECALLS I HAVE A 2013 JETTA SE 2.5. I DO NOT TIMBER THE DATE OF THE RECALLS BUT I KNOW THERE IS ANOTHER RECALL ON MY VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11353991

Dec 14, 2019SteeringElectrical system

MY CAR STALLED ON ME 4 TIMES BETWEEN MAY 2018- DECEMBER 2019. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND IT FEELS LIKE THE ENTIRE CAR CEASES TO HAVE POWER. 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. 1 OUT OF 4 TIMES ANOTHER CAR WAS HIT DUE TO THE STALL. IN ANOTHER 1 OUT OF 4 TIMES, THERE WAS ALMOST A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I ENDED UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD OF TRAFFIC. TRANSPORTATION CANADA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS (I AM LOCATED IN TORONTO, ON, CANADA AND ALL INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN TORONTO). VOLKSWAGEN CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND HAVE NOT PROVIDED A SOLUTION OR A NORMAL COURSE OF ACTION TO THIS SAFETY CONCERN. I AM PREGNANT NOW AND EVEN MORE CONCERNED. MY CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2013 AND HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT VOLKSWAGEN - IT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BESIDES THIS REOCCURRING SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11289021

Nov 6, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO AGGRESSIVELY INSERT AND REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ORDER TO START AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 11278492

Nov 4, 2019SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MADE HARD SHIFTS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11278014

Oct 25, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN AUTHORIZED VOLKSWAGEN DEALER NEEDED TO BE CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE RECALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11271057

Oct 25, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11271095

Oct 15, 2019SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF PANAMA CITY (LOCATED AT 3605 E 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32404, (850) 763-5495) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11268668

Aug 4, 2018SteeringAirbags

TOOK CAR IN FOR RECALL AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THEY "FORGOT" TO DO RECALL ON AIRBAG. NEXT TIME THEY PERFORMED RECALL BUT STEERING WHEEL IS CLICKING, HORN DOES NOT WORK, NONE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS FUNCTION AND AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. TOOK CAR FOR AN EXPENSIVE ENGINE REPAIR AND I TOLD THEM THE RECALL WAS NOT COMPLETED AS THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND THEY TOLD ME THE OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MARKED IT AS COMPLETE AND IT WOULD COST ME $2000 BECAUSE AIRBAG HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT AND DISCONNECTED. SO I HAVE NO HORN, NO STEERING WHEEL FUNCTION KEYS, A STEERING WHEEL THAT CLICKS WHEN A HARD TURN IS MADE AND A RIPPED, DISCONNECTED NON-FUNCTIONING AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 11115734

Jul 26, 2018SteeringElectrical system

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS 5X WITHIN THE LAST 4 YEARS. WHEN REPLACE ONLY WORKS FOR ABOUT 6-9 MONTHS THEN I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. ONE TIME I WAITED FOR 1YR TO REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT AND MAGICALLY IT CAME BACK ON. I WAS LIKE WOW, REALLY. NOW MY DOORS AND HORN IS GONE OUT. MY HORN ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. MY DOORS LOCK BUT IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO FIGURE IT OUT. YOU HAVE TO HIT THE BOTTOM LIKE 3X BEFORE IT WORKS.

NHTSA ODI 11113830

Jul 12, 2018Steering

IGNITION CYLINDER. KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING IT ON, ITS ALSO DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY. RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TALKING ABOUT A REIMBURSEMENT IF REPLACED OUT OF POCKET, HOWEVER VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY RECALLED YET.

NHTSA ODI 11111019

Jun 26, 2018SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

LESS THAN 30000 MILES REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON ,NO HORN,NO STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS.SAME THING RECALLED FOR JETTA, BUT NOT JETTA HYBIRDS..

NHTSA ODI 11103940

Jun 25, 2018Steering

MY CAR KEY GOT STUCK AND THE CAR WONT TURN OFF NOW AND IT WAS ON PARKED

NHTSA ODI 11103914

May 17, 2018Steering

KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WITH CAR STILL ON AND IN PARK. CANNOT GET CAR TURNED OFF OR KEY OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11096449

Nov 7, 2017Steering

KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WITH CAR STILL ON AND IN PARK. CANNOT GET CAR TURNED OFF OR KEY OUT. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO RECALL PART. CAR NEEDS NEW IGNITION CYLINDER. AUTO TECHNICIAN AT DEALERSHIP KNEW EXACTLY HOW TO GET THE KEY OUT, WHICH MEANS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. SO MUCH SO, THAT THE FRONT DESK PERSON KNEW EXACTLY HOW HE DID IT AND ASKED ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11044208

Aug 9, 2017Steering

KEY REMAINS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CAR CANNOT WILL NOT TURN OFF VW DEALER SAID THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FROM OVER USE!!! DIDN'T KNOW YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE YOUR CAR!!

NHTSA ODI 11014050

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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 →