2013 Volkswagen Golf Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 14 1 fire

“WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR , THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TURNED DIM. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DOES WHEN THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD BUT SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I LEFT TO GET TO THE PHONE , FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I GOT TO A PHONE AS SOON AS I COULD AND CALLED 911. THE CAR WAS PARKED DOWN THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE BECAUSE OF A SNOW STORM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10564035, 2014 · fire

“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 bough…”
NHTSA complaint #11506679, 2023

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11447672, 2022

Fuel/Propulsion System 11

“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 bough…”
NHTSA complaint #11506679, 2023

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11098409, 2018

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11097079, 2018

Air Bags 9

“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 whe…”
NHTSA complaint #11471720, 2022

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11257350, 2019

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10954954, 2017

Electrical System 7 1 fire 1 injury

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11481068, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

“WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR , THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TURNED DIM. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DOES WHEN THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD BUT SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I LEFT TO GET TO THE PHONE , FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I GOT TO A PHONE AS SOON AS I COULD AND CALLED 911. THE CAR WAS PARKED DOWN THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE BECAUSE OF A SNOW STORM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10564035, 2014 · fire

“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 bough…”
NHTSA complaint #11506679, 2023

Service Brakes 5 2 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 48 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL COLLAPSED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10532475, 2013 · crash

“ON JULY 16TH, 2013, AT 9:10 PM, I HAD DRIVEN, MY VW GOLF, 11 MILES, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, OF 59 MPH. I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPON ARRIVING, AT MY FREEWAY EXIT, I BELIEVE I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, OR TAPPED THE BRAKE. I DON'T RECALL WHICH. I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY 2013 GOLF, FOR 11 MILES, AT THE FREEWAY SPEEDS, OF 59 MPH. OTHER VEHICLES WERE PASSING ME, WITH THESE OTHER VEHICLES GOING FASTER, THAN MY CAR. I WAS GOING SLOWER THAN THEM. MY CAR WAS NEW, AND I AM RETIRED. SO I DO NOT NEED TO TRAVEL SO FAST. AFTER ALLOWING THE 2013 VW GOLF, TO SLOW DOWN, I PUSHED THE SERVICE BREAK PEDAL.…”
NHTSA complaint #10536973, 2010 · crash

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11321438, 2020

Steering 5

“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 CAM…”
NHTSA complaint #11025069, 2017

“I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND WHEN I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS FOR PEOPLE COULD GO AROUND ME SO I COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO SAFETY. AS SOON AS THE CAR DIED I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. ONCE I DID THAT A BUNCH OF LIGHTS CAME ON AND GOT A CLICKING SOUND ONCE I TURNED THE KEY. I THEN QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO CROSS A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION. I TOLD DEALER AND THEY WROTE IT UP BUT FOUND NOTHING. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10690751, 2014

“DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC AT AROUND 35-40 MPH. PRIOR,TO THIS INCIDENT, CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND TROUBLE FREE. ENGINE DIED, SUBSEQUENTLY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND I NEEDED TO STEER VEHICLE TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND WAS ABLE TO ADJUST TO SITUATION, CONCERNED THAT A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SAME SITUATION. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10633456, 2014

Suspension 4 1 crash

“ON JULY 16TH, 2013, AT 9:10 PM, I HAD DRIVEN, MY VW GOLF, 11 MILES, AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, OF 59 MPH. I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPON ARRIVING, AT MY FREEWAY EXIT, I BELIEVE I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, OR TAPPED THE BRAKE. I DON'T RECALL WHICH. I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY 2013 GOLF, FOR 11 MILES, AT THE FREEWAY SPEEDS, OF 59 MPH. OTHER VEHICLES WERE PASSING ME, WITH THESE OTHER VEHICLES GOING FASTER, THAN MY CAR. I WAS GOING SLOWER THAN THEM. MY CAR WAS NEW, AND I AM RETIRED. SO I DO NOT NEED TO TRAVEL SO FAST. AFTER ALLOWING THE 2013 VW GOLF, TO SLOW DOWN, I PUSHED THE SERVICE BREAK PEDAL.…”
NHTSA complaint #10536973, 2010 · crash

“FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11348926, 2020

“BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11329634, 2020

Fuel System 3

“VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, TURNED ENGINE OFF. DRIVER RESTARTED ENGINE, CHECKED UNDER HOOD. ENGINE STARTED, BUT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION AND HIGH PITCH METAL ON METAL SOUND. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED A FAILURE OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP AND ALL COMPONENT PARTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. NOTE: DIESEL FUEL ONLY USED ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10671319, 2015

“I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATING WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 40MPH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. IT WOULD NOT LET ME GO PAST THE SLOWEST SPEED THAT I HAD REACHED WHILE EXITING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NO LONGER START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP WHERE IT TOOK NEARLY A WEEK TO GET THE CAR FIXED. THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FUEL LINES; THE FUEL PUMP AND ALL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN…”
NHTSA complaint #10627303, 2014

“AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY, I WAS DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE LANES DUE TO LACK OF POWER AND POWER STEERING, SO I TRIED TO RE-START THE ENGINE WHILE COASTING IN THE FAST LANE. THE HUD INDICATED THAT I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SO I STOPPED THE CAR IN THE FAST LANE IN ORDER TO DO SO. THE ENGINE STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. THE CAR WAS 6 WEEKS OLD AT THE TIME, AND HAD ABOUT 1100 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10534805, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control 3

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11005491, 2017

“DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60MPH) ENGINE SHUT DOWN ABRUBTLY AND GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THIS RESULTED IN HAVING TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH DIFFICULTY IN STEERING AND BRAKING TO NARROW SHOULDER AREA. ENGINE WOULD CRANK OVER BUT NOT RESTART. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSIS IS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES.”
NHTSA complaint #10899262, 2016

“I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATING WHEN I REALIZED THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 40MPH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AT THE NEXT EXIT AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. IT WOULD NOT LET ME GO PAST THE SLOWEST SPEED THAT I HAD REACHED WHILE EXITING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NO LONGER START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP WHERE IT TOOK NEARLY A WEEK TO GET THE CAR FIXED. THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE FUEL LINES; THE FUEL PUMP AND ALL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD MY CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN…”
NHTSA complaint #10627303, 2014

Exterior Lighting 1

“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 conseque…”
NHTSA complaint #11500133, 2022

Power Train 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11400370, 2021

Structure 1 1 fire

“WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR , THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TURNED DIM. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DOES WHEN THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD BUT SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I LEFT TO GET TO THE PHONE , FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD. I GOT TO A PHONE AS SOON AS I COULD AND CALLED 911. THE CAR WAS PARKED DOWN THE STREET FROM OUR HOUSE BECAUSE OF A SNOW STORM. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10564035, 2014 · fire

Tires 1

“OUR VW GOLF CAME WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT TIRES. WITH LESS THAN 9300 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. AS WE ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON RAMP, OUR TIRE INDICATOR LIT UP TELLING US TO CHECK THE TIRES. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, IN A HIGH SPEED ZONE LIMITED TO ONE LANE BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION, WITH NO SHOULDER, OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, LEAVING US WITH LIMITED CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND FEW OPTIONS TO AVOID A CRASH THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HUGE PILE UP AND FATALITIES. CHECKING A WEBSITE REGARDING CONTINENTAL TIRES AT CONSUMER…”
NHTSA complaint #10626286, 2014

Unknown Or Other 1

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11098409, 2018

Wheels 1

“OUR VW GOLF CAME WITH CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT TIRES. WITH LESS THAN 9300 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. AS WE ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON RAMP, OUR TIRE INDICATOR LIT UP TELLING US TO CHECK THE TIRES. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, IN A HIGH SPEED ZONE LIMITED TO ONE LANE BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION, WITH NO SHOULDER, OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, LEAVING US WITH LIMITED CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND FEW OPTIONS TO AVOID A CRASH THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HUGE PILE UP AND FATALITIES. CHECKING A WEBSITE REGARDING CONTINENTAL TIRES AT CONSUMER…”
NHTSA complaint #10626286, 2014