VOLKSWAGEN GOLF · model year

2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

67 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013VOLKSWAGENGOLF carries 67 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 GOLF is engine with 14 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (11) and air bags (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2013 GOLF, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

67
Complaints
3
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

67 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11
AIR BAGS9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
STEERING5
SERVICE BRAKES5
SUSPENSION4
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
STRUCTURE:BODY1
WHEELS1
TIRES1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
POWER TRAIN1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recalls (5)

18V32900016/05/2018

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 ma

16V07800010/02/2016

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

18V14800006/03/2018

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

19V86200004/12/2019

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 degradat

15V48300004/08/2015

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 wou

Recent Complaints

20230210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

i was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my EPC went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) i lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph i couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to entire car shutting down .i was almost smashed by a semi due to inability to steer my vehicle to total loss of power . i got the vehicle towed to a service shop they tell me that my timing chain had stretched and timing chain tensioner has failed, which caused significant damage to my engine . i bought the vehicle used and have taken meticulous car on it since i have owned it 3k oil changes ,proper oil ,proper, premium gas as notated milage based maintenance. the service center then notifies me that there was a class action lawsuit about failing timing chains and tensioners but when i called my local volkswagon dealership they told me it only covers up to125,000 miles but what i don't understa

20230210FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

i was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my EPC went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) i lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph i couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to entire car shutting down .i was almost smashed by a semi due to inability to steer my vehicle to total loss of power . i got the vehicle towed to a service shop they tell me that my timing chain had stretched and timing chain tensioner has failed, which caused significant damage to my engine . i bought the vehicle used and have taken meticulous car on it since i have owned it 3k oil changes ,proper oil ,proper, premium gas as notated milage based maintenance. the service center then notifies me that there was a class action lawsuit about failing timing chains and tensioners but when i called my local volkswagon dealership they told me it only covers up to125,000 miles but what i don't understa

20230210ENGINE

i was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my EPC went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) i lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph i couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to entire car shutting down .i was almost smashed by a semi due to inability to steer my vehicle to total loss of power . i got the vehicle towed to a service shop they tell me that my timing chain had stretched and timing chain tensioner has failed, which caused significant damage to my engine . i bought the vehicle used and have taken meticulous car on it since i have owned it 3k oil changes ,proper oil ,proper, premium gas as notated milage based maintenance. the service center then notifies me that there was a class action lawsuit about failing timing chains and tensioners but when i called my local volkswagon dealership they told me it only covers up to125,000 miles but what i don't understa

20230104EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The low beam headlamp burned out. I replaced the bulb successfully, but then the headlamp needed adjustment to be aimed properly with the new bulb. I found instructions online to aim the headlamp. There are three adjustment points, covering both low and high beams, according to the online document. I will try to attach photo of this document. The three adjustments are labeled as: L1, L2H2, and L3. On my VW, there is no adjustment available for location shown as L3. I even drilled into the plastic headlamp housing looking for the hidden adjustment point, but there was none. As a consequence, I am unable to aim that headlamp properly: either the low beam is pointing too high or the high beam is pointing too low. I believe this presents a safety issue at night. To me, it is unbelievable that VW eliminated the L3 adjustment on this vehicle. As I said, the position of the L3 adjustment point was molded over at the factory, there was no opening for adjustment. That's why I drille

20220824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat overheated and burned the occupant. The burn injuries were minor and there was no medical attention sought. The contact mentioned that the front passenger side fan was failing as well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no failure was determined. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and the contact was informed that the rear passenger’s side door had mildew and mold and that there was a leak that caused electrical damage inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

20220630AIR BAGS

The steering wheel clock spring was replaced on my vehicle as part of a recall in May 2016 by a local VW dealer. Within the last month I've received an "Error: Airbag" notification on my dash. My mechanic scanned the Air Bag Control Module for codes and there was 1 in memory: B1000 Igniter for Driver's Air Bag, Resistance Too Large". I understand that the defective Air bag clock spring replacement part is unavailable as it has been nationally on back order for the past year, and 7,000 vehicles are waiting for the part. This issue has affected everything controlled through the steering wheel, including my horn, making the otherwise perfectly good car unsafe and perhaps illegal to drive. Both the dealership and VW of American Customer Care have been unable to offer me an interim solution (at least offering a horn).

20220204ENGINE

Car shut off while driving on the freeway at a high rate of speed. EPS and Check Engine light came on. Luckily was able to pull over without hurting anyone. Local repair shop said it is the timing chain system.

20220116ENGINE

Misfiring after cold starts. After driving the car in freezing temperatures, problem sometimes happens when the car is allowed to sit and water in the intercooler melts. It may start fine, but then starts misfiring when pulling into traffic and creates dangerous merges. Misfire goes away in the first 30 seconds to 2 minutes or so of starting the vehicle. Several dealer complaints but they have so far refused to install their own TSB repair under warranty. The most recent dealer visit had them replace the anti-shudder valve. The problem reoccurred two days later.

20210311ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND SHUT-OFF WITH THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED A TOW TRUCK TRIED TO BOOST THE BATTERY AND IT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO RESTART. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

20210311POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND SHUT-OFF WITH THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED A TOW TRUCK TRIED TO BOOST THE BATTERY AND IT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO RESTART. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

20200812SUSPENSION

FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY.

Mileage: 80,000

20200618SUSPENSION

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR

Mileage: 81,500

20200417SERVICE BRAKES

MY VW WAS RETROFITTED AS REQUIRED TO MEET FEDERAL EMISSION AND CALIFORNIA STANDARDS FOLLOWING THE VW EMISSIONS SCANDAL RELATED TO VW DIESEL VEHICLES. MY CAR'S ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE DEALER REPORTS IT NEEDS A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER. HOWEVER, THE PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. THE EMISSIONS ARE NOW OUT OF COMPLIANCE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20190923AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH SUNNYVALE VOLKSWAGEN (1025 E EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, 408-739-7321) AND WAS INFORMED THAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20180904ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND I CANNOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE.

Mileage: 53,000

20180529FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE GTI STARTED MAKING CLACKING SOUNDS, AND SHAKING WHILE ON BUT STOPPED. THEN THE EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. AFTERWARDS, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL AND WOULD SHAKE A LOT MORE. WHEN TAKEN TO AUTOZONE FOR DIAGNOSTICS OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE REPORT READ: "PERFORM ENGINE DE-CARBON PROCEDURE." THE COIL PACKS WERE FINE.

Mileage: 83,000

20180529UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE GTI STARTED MAKING CLACKING SOUNDS, AND SHAKING WHILE ON BUT STOPPED. THEN THE EPC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. AFTERWARDS, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL AND WOULD SHAKE A LOT MORE. WHEN TAKEN TO AUTOZONE FOR DIAGNOSTICS OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE REPORT READ: "PERFORM ENGINE DE-CARBON PROCEDURE." THE COIL PACKS WERE FINE.

Mileage: 83,000

20180521ENGINE

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO WHEN MY CAR HAD 50K MI. RIGHT AFTER IT HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. INITIALLY, THE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY (E.G. ON IN THE MORNING AND THEN OFF IN THE AFTERNOON). NOW THE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT IS STEADY ON AND THE ENGINE MAKES SOME WEIRD NOISE WHEN STARTING. THE FAULT CODE P2015 (FROM OBD-II DIAGNOSTIC SET) INDICATES THAT THERE IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MAKING AN UNUSUAL RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING IDLE AND FUEL PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN AFFECTED. THE CAR USED TO RUN 27.5 MPG AND NOW IT IS RUNNING ABOUT 24 MPG ON AVERAGE. SOME OF THE FORUMS AND INTERNET SITES THAT I VISITED SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SO FREQUENTLY ON THE 2.0T TSI ENGINE USED ON VW GTI AND AUDI A3 BETWEEN 2009 AND 2015 THAT VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART TO 120K MI. OR 5 YRS. (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST). HOWEVER, WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER THE MECHANIC SAID THAT, AFTER CHECKING THE VIN, THIS RECALL

Mileage: 50,000

20180521FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO WHEN MY CAR HAD 50K MI. RIGHT AFTER IT HAD BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. INITIALLY, THE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY (E.G. ON IN THE MORNING AND THEN OFF IN THE AFTERNOON). NOW THE YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT IS STEADY ON AND THE ENGINE MAKES SOME WEIRD NOISE WHEN STARTING. THE FAULT CODE P2015 (FROM OBD-II DIAGNOSTIC SET) INDICATES THAT THERE IS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MAKING AN UNUSUAL RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING IDLE AND FUEL PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN AFFECTED. THE CAR USED TO RUN 27.5 MPG AND NOW IT IS RUNNING ABOUT 24 MPG ON AVERAGE. SOME OF THE FORUMS AND INTERNET SITES THAT I VISITED SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SO FREQUENTLY ON THE 2.0T TSI ENGINE USED ON VW GTI AND AUDI A3 BETWEEN 2009 AND 2015 THAT VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART TO 120K MI. OR 5 YRS. (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST). HOWEVER, WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER THE MECHANIC SAID THAT, AFTER CHECKING THE VIN, THIS RECALL

Mileage: 50,000

20180416AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. INSIGNIFICANT UNUSUAL SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT SOUNDS LIKE CLICKS. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING.

Compare 2013VOLKSWAGENGOLF to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF have?
The 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has 67 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
The 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
Yes, the 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
The most-complained component for the 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF is ENGINE with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.