Check a VIN

2013 Volkswagen Jetta: check engine light

50 of the 518 complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta describe check engine light.

owner complaints
50
of this car's complaints
10%
typical repair cost reported
$9,000
typical mileage
65,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 335 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Transmission · NC

While driving the vehicle at about 20mph about a week ago, the check hybrid light began flashing. After stopping and restarting the vehicle, the check engine light came on. The vehicle has been diagnosed at a Volkswagen dealership service center as leaking hydraulic fluid from the transmission mechatronics control unit and needing a new transmission and hydraulic pump. This vehicle is not included on the Safety Recall Code: 34J6.

Filed Dec 17, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · 55,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the compliance recall Campaign Number: 3M02 was completed. The contact stated that while attempting to remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle was in drive(D), the key came out smoothly. Additionally, the contact stated upon starting the vehicle and entering the key in the ignition switch, the Electronic Power Control (EPC) and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the recall failed to fix the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a fee would be charged for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MA

There is an open recall on 2013 Volkswagen Jetta hybrid for known electrical and power train issues. My car was purchased last year and kept up on in maintenance . I have had it in the shop multiple times for checks due to the lights on my dashboard all going off. Nothing was found until recently the hybrid and engine light turned on out of no where and the cause was the clutch failing which is one of the known recalls. My VIN Isn’t listed under this recall and I have been in contact with Volkswagen and they are refusing to help even thought it’s a known issue with this years make and model. The car is unsafe to drive and could likely result in an accident due to the behavior of the car from these issues. The car will randomly buck when driving and when coming to a complete stop and trying to accelerate it will buck as well. I did add the open recalls on this car that are alike to my issues. There are also 4 other open recalls on this years make and model. I don’t have an exact date when the issues start I could look through my paper work but I put down 11/11 as they have been happening for awhile now

Filed Jan 22, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

I would assume the issue had something to do with the power train. 2 days after i had bought the car my wife and i were on our way to the gym and we had just came to a complete stop. Upon entering the highway the car would no longer accelerate no matter how much pressure was put on the accelerator pedal. The engine light also came on. Luckily there were no cars behind me and I was able to pull over with the car moving on its own. This is really dangerous. This has happened to me multiple times. I have taken it back to the dealership i had bought the car from and they have a private mechanic that solely works for the company. He has scanned for any codes and has told me no codes are populating so he’s not sure why the engine light is still on. It was taken to a VW dealership and the vehicle will no longer start. There was an electrical issue at some point and now might be a transmission issue along with other things.

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side road and was able to continue driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and unknown sensors were replaced, but the failure persisted. On another occasion while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the electrical control module was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · AZ

I purchased vehicle 12/06/2022 and day after purchase check engine light went off. Took it back to dealer ASH Auto and they stated they fixed it. 2 Months later check engine light again. Got a diagnostic test and codes were TBI Base Gasket, P01106 Manifold and 01314-013 Engine control module. Now one week ago dropping off daughter to work down the street and when pulled into garage my vehicle will not go I to park. Only neutral, reverse and drive work. Have to keep car in neutral with emergency brake to keep parked.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Airbags · FL

Airbag malfunction indicator lamp has illuminated, horn is not funtional. Returned to Volkswagen dealership for diagnosis, prognosis being faulty "clock spring." Was previously indicated as repaired under recall exhibiting same symptoms some years previously but, problem has resurfaced and is persisting.

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle would vibrate and jerk. The contact also mentioned that the braking system failed to function as designed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mechatronic unit and the dual clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

I was driving on the street and my check engine light popped on as I was making a turn at about 35 miles an hour my car kicked into neutral and when pressing the gas just revved the engine. I was fortunate there was no oncoming cars as I made the turn or I would have been killed. Had this happened on the highway I could of caused a major reck killing multiple people. I was fortunate and pulled over to the side and had the car towed to a mechanic. He took a look and said there was a significant leak coming from the transmission and I should take it to a VW dealership because there are a lot of recalls for this type of stuff. I had it towed to VW and they're professional mechanic said it was a hairline crack in the transmission that caused an oil leak into the electronic gearbox which caused the loss of control and power. They said there is no recall and it would be a $12,000.00 fix. The car has 47K original miles on it, no wrecks, and I've never missed an oil change. Had I not quickly reacted I could of caused a car accident injuring or killing myself or someone else. This is unbelievable that VW is not being held responsible for this. There is a recall for this exact problem Recall Number: 34J6 but for some reason it does no include my specific Jetta. How is that possible?

Filed Jan 26, 2022 · Engine · 86,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact went to an auto parts store and replaced the battery however, the warning light illuminated again. Occasionally, the vehicle would fail to start immediately. The contact also stated that occasionally while driving, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt failed due to damage to the water pump. The contact was informed that the water pump and timing belt needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14E007000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2022 · Transmission · KY

On 10/20/2021, the Service Hybrid System light and Check Engine light illuminated. I was able to start the vehicle and drive directly home. During the drive, I noticed the Hybrid system wasn't engaging. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic who specializes in European vehicles, and he determined the cause was cracks in the mechatronics unit, causing a loss of pressure, exactly the issue Recall 19V866000 was supposed to remedy. I contacted Volkswagen and was informed that my VIN was not included in 19V866000, which was based on cracks appearing in the mechatronics unit. I find it strange that almost 25% of all Jetta Hybrids were recalled for that issue, but there are several other reports listed on the federal safety agency of other owners who have experienced the same issue who were also told they weren't part of the recall.

Filed Dec 29, 2021 · Engine · VA

Transmission is about to fail: at ODO 98800 the CEL indicates code P177B - Clutch Tolerance limit reached. The DSG transmission mechatronic unit was changed at ODO 46734 because the engine was loosing power. Volkswagen's has a recent recall 34J6 for this problem and vehicle type, but mine is not included in the recall.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

50 of 518 owner complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta (10%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2009.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $9,000 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

There are 0 recalls and 335 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta

Stalling 52Loss of power 42Transmission failure 28Fuel pump 23Jerking 20Headlights 15Won't shift 13Airbag light 11Door locks 11Engine failure 10Steering lock-up 9Won't start 9Misfire 6Slipping 6Warning lights 6Wipers 6No deployment 5Coil spring 5Hesitation 5

All model years of the Volkswagen Jetta

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2013 Volkswagen Jetta?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history