2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#3 most-complained of 5 Jetta SportWagen years
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 3rd worst out of 5 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Fuel System complaints lead at 31% (11 of 36), with a median failure mileage of 79,500 miles, plus one airbag recall.
- Complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26.5 city / 35 hwy
Top 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System11 (31%)
- Engine7 (19%)
- Airbags6 (17%)
- Electrical System5 (14%)
- Other4 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
- Steering2 (6%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (3%)
What owners report
- Vehicles lose power on the highway while the glow plug light flashes, sometimes stalling and requiring a tow.
- Engine decelerates, stumbles, or dies out while driving, with check engine and glow plug lights illuminated.
- Fuel pump failures leave metal debris throughout the fuel system, sometimes causing a sudden stall with no warning.
- Electrical system issues include the engine failing to turn off even after the key is removed.
- One owner reported gray smoke and a cabin fire after starting the car and locking it to warm up.
- Airbags failed to deploy during a severe front-impact crash.
2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Airbags659,493 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture 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 inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 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 Jetta SportWagen years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 model a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among 5 model years of the Jetta SportWagen. It's worse than the 2012 (Best, index 0) and 2010 (Good, index 25) but better than the 2011 and 2014 (both Avoid).
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Jetta SportWagen?
- Fuel System complaints top the list at 31% (11 of 36 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 79,500 miles. Engine issues follow at 19% (7 complaints, median 112,500 miles), then Airbags at 17% (6 complaints).
- Does the 2013 Jetta SportWagen have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 16V078000, covering airbag frontal inflators that Volkswagen replaces free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have on file for the 2013 Jetta SportWagen?
- NHTSA lists 36 complaints for the 2013 model year, including 1 crash and 1 fire, with no reported injuries or deaths.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Jetta SportWagen?
- EPA rates it at 29 mpg combined (26.5 city / 35 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,725.