2013 Volkswagen Golf

Routine

Owners filed 43 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
50,000 milesMedian miles at failure

31 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine10
010
Air Bags9
000
Fuel/Propulsion System7
000
Electrical System5
001
Service Brakes4
100
Suspension3
100
Wheels1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Steering1
000
Fuel System, Diesel1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V862000
Filed Dec 4, 2019226 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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 degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.

Unknown or Other18V329000
Filed May 16, 2018252 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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 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 dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module18V148000
Filed Mar 6, 2018363,713 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode 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 inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module16V078000
Filed Feb 10, 2016659,493 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal15V483000
Filed Aug 4, 2015415,825 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 2023OH

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 understand is that this issue almost cost me my life this is a known issue hence a class action lawsuit but to actually take care of the situation they refuse to do so i do enjoy the vehicle but i almost lost my life

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 4, 2023CA

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 drilled into the area, and still found no adjustment point. I have no idea how many other VW vehicles are impacted by this shortcoming, the owners will not find out until the headlamp burns out and there is no way to adjust the replacement lamp. This is a latent defect in design/manufacture.

Electrical System1 injured
Filed Aug 24, 202240,000 milesWA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 2022DE

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).

Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2022CA

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.

Engine
Filed Jan 16, 2022OH

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.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 11, 202191,000 milesOR

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.

Suspension
Filed Aug 12, 202080,000 milesOH

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

Suspension
Filed Jun 18, 202081,500 milesOH

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

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2020120,000 milesCA

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

Air Bags
Filed Sep 23, 2019CA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 4, 201853,000 milesGA

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 29, 201883,000 milesNC

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.

Engine
Filed May 21, 201850,000 milesCA

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/WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET SAYS OTHERWISE AND TOLD ME TO TRY ANOTHER DEALER. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO OTHER DEALER NEARBY. THE LOCAL DEALER WANTS $ 1,400.00 TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD AND CLEAN THE INJECTION VALVE. MY CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED ONLY BY THIS DEALER. I HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS OF ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 16, 2018CO

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 9, 201783,009 milesPA

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE - CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NORMAL OPERATION, DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, NO SIGNS OR WARNING PRIOR.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 201750,000 milesNY

ON TWO OCCASIONS, ABOUT TWO WEEKS APART, THE POWER CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN ONCE OR TWICE, THE CAR STARTED AGAIN, AND THE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ON. ON THE FIRST OF THESE OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER FIRST STARTING THE CAR THAT DAY. THE SECOND WAS ALSO ON A CITY STREET. THIS ALSO OCCURRED JUST AFTER STARTING, WHILE TURNING A CORNER. ON A THIRD OCCASION, ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED TWO INCIDENTS, THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND POWER WAS DIMINISHED, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT CUT OUT TOTALLY. THIS OCCURRED ON AN EXPRESSWAY, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR SOME TIME. AFTER DROPPING IN SPEED, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED. BOTH PROBLEMS WOULD APPEAR TO BE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT AS THERE WAS NO LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 15, 201778,000 milesGA

THE EPC STARTED COMING ON, IT LOSES POWER AND SOMETIMES CUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. MY SPEED SLOWS DOWN TO 3 MILES AN HOUR.

Engine
Filed Feb 21, 201760,026 milesWA

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, BRAKING AND STEERING

Air Bags
Filed Feb 15, 2017TX

TAKATA RECALL ONE YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE THE RECALL WAS INITIATED FOR THE DRIVERS AIRBAG FOR MY VW VEHICLE AND TO DATE MY I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY VW AND THERE WEBSITE STATES NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V078 HAS QUOTE "REPAIR NOT YET AVAILABLE." THIS IS BOTH DISAPPOINTING AND WORRYING SINCE NOT A SINGLE VW AFFECTED VEHICLE APPEARS ON YOUR PUBLISHED PRIORITY GROUPS LIST OR THE "COMPLETED SO FAR" LIST. DESPITE THE FACT THAT I LIVE IN TEXAS WHICH IS DEEMED A PRIORITY ZONE A ! I REALIZE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM TO TACKLE BUT LACK OF INFORMATION AND UPDATES ONLY MAKES PEOPLE WORRY AN INCIDENT COULD OCCUR RATHER THAN INSTILL CONFIDENCE THAT A SOLUTION IS FORTH COMING.

20 of 43 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2015
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202311000Routine
202281000Routine
20217100Routine
20206200Routine
201963600Do not drive
201829600Do not drive
2017116500Routine
201685900Routine
20151311230Routine
201411500Routine
2013 — this page43510Routine
201248600Routine
2011110630Routine
201069400Routine
20093000Routine
20081000Routine
20072000Routine
200612300Routine
200519400Routine
200428611Fatalities reported
200327670Routine
200274700Routine
2001116920Routine
200088810Routine
199964710Routine
199818100Routine
199723010Routine
199636120Routine
199543500Routine
199441540Routine
19937500Routine
19926200Routine
19918300Routine
199010520Routine

Compare every Golf year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 4, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.