Is the 2013 Volkswagen JETTA reliable?

The 2013 Volkswagen JETTA has 737 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen JETTA?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (150 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (140 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (116 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Volkswagen JETTA?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SUSPENSION:REAR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Contact any Volkswagen dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Volkswagen JETTA?

The 2013 Volkswagen JETTA gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Volkswagen JETTA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Volkswagen JETTA is approximately $1,449/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Volkswagen JETTA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Volkswagen JETTA has 737 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.0x the segment average of 249. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: my vehicle when entering traffic has a delay of 1-2 seconds when trying to accelerate from a stop. when i am trying to get on/off a highway and that delay happens, the traffic has to slow to keep from hitting me as by the time it happens then surges, it is too late to stop. my speed needle was so . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 17 crash reports 10 injuries

737

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

3.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

150 complaints

20%

• MY VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC HAS A DELAY OF 1-2 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET ON/OFF A HIGHWAY AND THAT DELAY HAPPENS, THE TRAFFIC HAS TO SLOW TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME AS BY THE TIME IT HAPPENS THEN SURGES, IT IS TOO LATE TO STOP. MY SPEED NEEDLE WAS SO
• WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND RE-PROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AFTER CONFERRING WITH VW. *TR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT SENSOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AT RANDOM. THE WARNING SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION MULTIPLE TIMES AT RANDOM. THE KEY AL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“MY VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC HAS A DELAY OF 1-2 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET ON/OFF A HIGHWAY AND THAT DELAY HAPPENS, THE TRAFFIC HAS TO SLOW TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME AS BY THE TIME IT HAPPENS THEN SURGES, IT IS TOO LATE TO STOP. MY SPEED NEEDLE WAS SO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Volkswagen JETTA

Based on 482 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 55K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

121

30-60K

133

60-100K

152

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 45K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 54K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 55K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 25K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TIRES

Earlier than typicalmedian 22K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 54K mi · 106 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER25/09/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Volkswagen JETTA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,231/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Volkswagen JETTA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volkswagen JETTA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

TSI turbo engines require VW-approved 502/504 spec synthetic oil. DSG transmission service (if equipped) every 40K miles.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volkswagen New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Volkswagen. If you're buying a used 2013 JETTA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volkswagen dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 737 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: MY VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC HAS A DELAY OF 1-2 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. WHEN I AM TRYING TO GET ON/OFF A HIGHWAY AND THAT DELAY HAPPENS, THE TRAFFIC HAS TO SLOW TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME AS BY THE TIME IT HAPPENS THEN SURGES, IT IS TOO LATE TO STOP. MY SPEED NEEDLE WAS SO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WE JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTS WAGON WITH DIESEL TDI ENGINE AND DSG TRANSMISSION. DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 110 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE MECHATRONIC UNIT HAS FAILED. THE SYMPTOM OF THE FA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: BASED UPON MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OTHER OWNERS COMMENTS FOUND ON THE THE WEB, THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH VARIOUS EXHAUST LEAKS ON LATE MODEL JETTA TDI'S WHICH ALLOWS DANGEROUS DIESEL SULFUR FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: HORN HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT, ENTIRE HORN NEEDS REPLACING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)