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2013 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems

37 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 56,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
37
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
56,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Jetta steering problems in other years

19911995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta steering

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Steering lock-up 9

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2013 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · 152,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle decelerated and nearly caused a crash on the freeway. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, restarted, and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V615000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING); one month before the failure; however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and the failure was associated with the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was provided with the cost for a diagnostic test and the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2025 · Steering · SC

The key will not come out of the ignition

Filed May 24, 2024 · Steering · TN

I am Filing a complaint against Volkswagen group of America, I called they for assistants in fixing an issue with one of their dealers to replace an ignition switch. Volkswagen said they stand by their dealer and would not let me speak to the Zone Reps for that area or the Dealer Reps that assist the customer in coming to a solution. The Ignition switch is a safety item and the dealer is trying to charge me a high price for a new key because they own a monopoly in the area.

Filed Dec 26, 2023 · Steering · CA

Ignition cylinder failure. Key would come out while driving, car would stay on, key would not turn in the ignition. Finally wheel locked and key will not turn at all therefore I can’t put my car in neutral.

Filed Aug 25, 2023 · Steering · OH

This vehicle and other vehicles of the same model have a faulty ignition cylinder lock housing causing the key to be unable to turn the car to off and be removed from the ignition. This does not allow the driver to park and leave the car as the key remains stuck and unable to turn. This problem has been reported by a dealer as an issue that is fixed weekly on other vehicles of the same make and model in shop.The vehicle has been inspected by the Volkswagen dealership and determined to be a failure within the vehicle. The key in the ignition has occasionally become stuck but, now remains in the vehicle for consistently after each drive for up to 30 minutes of trying to remove it.

Filed Aug 13, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · SC

my steering wheel locked up

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · TX

The key gets stuck in the ignition switch and the car is not able to turn off. In order to remove the key you have to jiggle it several times which could be minutes or up to an hour. Could be a safety issue if I’m somewhere and need to turn the car off immediately. Was told this is a costly repair but if this is a known issue (and it is) why is this not a recall when possible damage or injury could occur.

Filed May 1, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · LA

The clock spring in this vehicle has failed in a vehicle that currently has less than 36k miles. There were no warnings or lights prior to failure. The controls on steering wheel and the vehicle’s horn no longer work as a result. When inspected by the local dealership, they also informed us that the airbag may not deploy in the event of an accident. The dealership also told us that the replacement part is backordered and that they could not provide a date that the part would be available. The vehicle feels unsafe to drive since we do not know if the airbag works or not. VW seems to be in no hurry to provide a fix.

Filed Feb 1, 2022 · Steering · AZ

Ignition key difficult to pull out from starter. Sometimes difficult to start car, but it can be wiggled in or out with some effort. Dangerous if it can get removed and engine continues working. Key can be reinserted to turn off. Sometimes difficult to start. Taken to local (Tucson AZ) dealership and told that there is no VW recall for this issue. I believe there is a recall. Dealership refused to fix it. Not covered as part of warranty either. We had to pay to get it fixed. Dealership appeared not to know of existence of a recall for the ignition key problem. We request a refund. Please inform them that such a recall exists. Chapman Volkswagen 4426 E 22nd .St. Tucson, AZ (520) 445-4024 Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 150,000 miles · OH

In the middle of driving on the highway, the car spontaneously shut down electrically, as if a fuse shorted, almost all dashboard lights turned on, the steering wheel locked up, and the brakes went unresponsive, nearly causing a collision. Once the car came to a complete stop, it was turned off in an attempt to regain control. After turning the car back on, the same dashboard lights remained illuminated, and the car wouldn't go more than 40mph, creating another accident risk during the remainder of the drive home.

Questions about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta steering

Does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta have steering problems?

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen Jetta steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 56,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta steering?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad steering?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most steering complaints are 2012 (42 complaints), 2013 (37 complaints) and 2009 (24 complaints).

Other 2013 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Electrical 148Transmission 141Engine 116Fuel system 43Airbags 31Brakes 22Acceleration 17Lights 17Body 15Suspension 14Visibility 13Tires 9Driver assistance 7Locks 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2Seats 2

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