Showing the 2013 Jetta Sportline. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version
Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
About every 2013 Jetta
The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has 632 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most for transmission and drivetrain at 202. EPA lists 25 to 44 mpg combined across its versions, with a 5-year fuel cost of $9,150 to $15,480 at U.S. average prices. NHTSA gives it 4 overall stars. It has 7 recall campaigns covering transmission and drivetrain, electrical system, steering, and others, which may apply to this car.
Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.
Fuel economy
25–44 mpgcombined; city 22–41, highway 29–48; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$9,150–$15,480U.S. average; Ohio $8,620–$14,670 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2013 Jetta. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 632 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Jetta. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power train
202
1
0
1
Electrical system
162
4
2
1
Engine
131
2
0
0
Unknown or other
103
1
2
3
Fuel/propulsion system
46
0
0
0
Air bags
40
7
0
6
Steering
40
1
0
0
Service brakes
31
5
0
0
Vehicle speed control
22
2
0
1
Exterior lighting
18
2
1
2
Structure
17
3
0
4
Suspension
17
0
0
0
14 more parts
Visibility/wiper
11
1
0
0
Fuel system, diesel
9
0
0
0
Tires
9
0
0
0
Electronic stability control (ESC)
8
0
0
0
Engine and engine cooling
5
0
0
0
Visibility
5
0
0
0
Wheels
4
0
0
0
Latches/locks/linkages
3
0
0
0
Fuel system, gasoline
2
0
0
0
Fuel system, other
2
0
0
0
Seat belts
2
0
0
0
Seats
2
0
0
0
Equipment adaptive/mobility
1
0
0
0
Hybrid propulsion system
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2013 Jetta over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
Power train: automatic transmission; Power train: clutch assembly
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of silicate on the shift lever micro switch contacts may enable the key to be removed from the ignition when the transmission shift lever is not in "Park."
Risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 37M2.
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.
Risk: The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
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.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 1,795 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2013 Jetta, the latest on Sep 17, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: equipment (663), electrical system (440), engine and engine cooling (324), engine (180), power train (146).
NHTSA defect investigations
Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.
Investigation
Part
Opened
Status
Defect petition DP22005 Pedestrian alert sounds · covers 43 makes
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2013 Jetta.
See used 2013 Volkswagen Jettas for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax
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Specs
EPA class: compact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 6–10 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM-S6)
Diesel
29 / 37 / 32
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Manual 6-spd
Diesel
29 / 39 / 32
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Manual 5-spd
Regular Gasoline
24 / 34 / 28
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM-S6)
Premium Gasoline
24 / 32 / 27
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Manual 6-spd
Premium Gasoline
22 / 33 / 26
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 5 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
24 / 31 / 26
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 5 cyl
Manual 5-spd
Regular Gasoline
23 / 33 / 26
Jetta Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
23 / 29 / 25
Jetta Hybrid Front-Wheel Drive
1.4 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM-S7)
Premium Gasoline
41 / 48 / 44
Jetta SportWagen Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (AM-S6)
Diesel
29 / 37 / 32
Jetta SportWagen Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Manual 6-spd
Diesel
29 / 39 / 32
Jetta SportWagen Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 5 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
24 / 31 / 26
Jetta SportWagen Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 5 cyl
Manual 5-spd
Regular Gasoline
23 / 33 / 26
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data