2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 4 Jetta Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid ranks worst of 4 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 79 NHTSA complaints, 72% tied to transmission and powertrain. It carries 3 recalls, including two for the DQ200 7-speed DSG gearbox.
- Complaints
- 79
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 44
- 41 city / 48 hwy
Top 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain57 (72%)
- Engine18 (23%)
- Brakes9 (11%)
- Electrical System9 (11%)
- Fuel System5 (6%)
- Airbags3 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)
- Other1 (1%)
- Steering1 (1%)
- Structure & Body1 (1%)
What owners report
- Vehicles hesitate for several seconds after a stop before the engine engages and the car moves forward.
- Owners report sudden stalling while accelerating from a complete stop, with the engine restarting shortly after.
- Some describe the transmission losing drive entirely, with the engine shutting down and the car coasting before requiring a tow.
- Regenerative brakes reportedly fail to activate during hard braking, leaving only the standard ABS disc brakes to stop the car.
- Windshield wipers stop working in cold temperatures and only resume once the cabin warms up.
- A water leak of unknown origin appears inside the cabin, possibly from the sunroof, windshield, or AC condenser drains.
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V866000Dec 6, 2019Transmission & Powertrain2,167 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Jetta Hybrid vehicles equipped with a DQ200 7-Speed DSG Automatic Transmission. Hairline cracks can develop within the transmission electronic gearbox (mechatronic unit), causing an internal transmission oil leak and a decrease in oil pressure.
Risk: A decrease in transmission oil pressure can cause the clutch to fail to engage, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a repair kit and, as necessary, replace affected parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 34J6.
- NHTSA 19V679000Sep 25, 2019Other113 vehicles
Unknown or other
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V568000Nov 14, 2013Transmission & Powertrain3,837 vehicles
Power train
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Jetta Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 2012 through October 2013 and equipped with a DQ-200 direct-shift gearbox. Due to gearbox fluid additives, the control module within the gearbox may corrode. The deposits from this corrosion may cause an electrical short and result in a stall-like condition.
Risk: This sudden loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gearbox oil with a non-corrosive version, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 34F6/4V.
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 41 MPG
- Highway
- 48 MPG
- Combined
- 44 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,800
- 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 Jetta Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid reliable?
- Among the 4 model years with data, 2013 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst, with 79 complaints and a verdict of Avoid relative to other Jetta Hybrid years.
- What problems does the 2013 Jetta Hybrid have?
- NHTSA complaints show transmission and powertrain issues make up 72% of reports, followed by engine issues at 23%. Median mileage at failure for transmission complaints is 80,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Jetta Hybrid have a transmission recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 13V568000 for the DQ-200 direct-shift gearbox oil replacement and recall 19V866000 for hairline cracks in the transmission electronics, both covering the 2013 Jetta Hybrid.
- How does the 2013 Jetta Hybrid compare to the 2014 model?
- The 2013 model has a Complaint Index of 100 versus 67 for 2014, and 79 complaints versus 20, making 2013 the worse year of the two based on NHTSA data.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Jetta Hybrid?
- EPA rates it at 44 mpg combined (41 city / 48 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,800.