2013 Volkswagen Golf Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Volkswagen Golf carries a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 10th worst of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 43 complaints, 5 recalls, 2 crashes, and 1 fire, with Engine problems the top concern.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #10 of 19 Golf years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 43
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26.5 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2013 Volkswagen Golf problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine15 (35%)
- Fuel System14 (33%)
- Airbags9 (21%)
- Electrical System8 (19%)
- Brakes5 (12%)
- Steering5 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (12%)
- Other1 (2%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the engine losing power or cutting out entirely while driving on the freeway, sometimes forcing the car to coast at reduced speed.
- Some report the engine failing to restart after a stall, with rough running once it did start.
- Fuel system complaints include sudden power loss, a flashing glow plug warning light, and stalling followed by a difficult restart.
- One driver reported the brake pedal collapsing at 48 mph, resulting in a crash into a median at a median mileage of 50,000 for brake complaints overall.
- A steering complaint described the car feeling erratic from new, with the dealer noting the suspension was adjusted outside specification.
- A tire failure was reported at 9,230 miles, matching the median mileage listed for suspension, wheels and tires complaints.
2013 Volkswagen Golf recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V862000Dec 4, 2019Airbags226 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
2013 Volkswagen Golf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Diesel
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Golf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 50 for the 2013 Golf, ranking it 10th worst out of 19 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Golf years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Golf?
- Engine complaints make up 35% of reports and Fuel System complaints make up 33%, followed by Airbags at 21% and Electrical System at 19%.
- Does the 2013 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Golf, four covering airbag inflator issues and one covering emissions compliance, none marked do-not-drive.
- What mileage do engine problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure for Engine complaints on the 2013 Golf is 43,750 miles.
- How does the 2013 Golf compare to other Golf years?
- Its Complaint Index of 50 is lower than 2011 (83), 2015 (100), and 2017 (94), all rated Avoid, but higher than Good-rated years like 2005, 2006, and 2014.