2013 Volkswagen GTI Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
35/100
#14 most-complained of 21 GTI years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Volkswagen GTI has 34 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th worst among 21 model years. It carries a Good verdict relative to other GTI years, with Engine issues as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 34
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 32 hwy
Top 2013 Volkswagen GTI problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine12 (35%)
- Fuel System7 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (15%)
- Airbags4 (12%)
- Brakes4 (12%)
- Electrical System3 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (9%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Other1 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report coolant leaks from a failing water pump or thermostat housing, sometimes requiring replacement more than once.
- Windshields reportedly chip easily from small road debris, becoming a driving distraction.
- One owner reported the gear selector became difficult to move when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear at highway speed.
- A fire was reported starting under the hood while the car was being driven in a neighborhood.
- Some owners describe tires developing bubbles or damage after relatively few miles.
- An airbag deployment was reported in a crash that resulted in a fatality.
2013 Volkswagen GTI recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
2013 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,075
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 GTI years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
- NHTSA lists 34 complaints for the 2013 GTI with a complaint index of 35, giving it a Good verdict compared with other GTI model years, where the index ranges up to 100.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 GTI?
- Engine complaints make up 35% of the total, mostly coolant leaks from water pumps, followed by Fuel System issues at 21% and Transmission & Powertrain complaints at 15%.
- Does the 2013 GTI have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 GTI: one covering an airbag clock spring issue (campaign 15V483000) and one described as 'Other' (campaign 18V329000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2013 GTI compare to other GTI years?
- The 2013 GTI ranks 14th worst out of 21 model years by complaint index, well below the worst years like 2009 (index 100) and 2019 (index 90), and better than the 2014 and 2020 model years which rate Best.
- At what mileage do 2013 GTI problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 33,000 miles, though Engine complaints show a lower median of 18,000 miles.