CarRecallWatchThe 2013 Volkswagen GTI has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (11 reports).
2013 Volkswagen GTI recalls
Modified VWs May Not Meet Federal Safety Rules
Some 2011-2017 Volkswagen vehicles were modified while they were in an internal evaluation period, and those changes may mean the vehicles do not fully comply with all applicable federal regulatory requirements.
Driver Front Airbag May Not Deploy in a Crash
Debris can contaminate the steering wheel clock spring, a flat spiral cable that keeps the driver's front airbag electrically connected while the wheel turns.
Most common 2013 Volkswagen GTI problems
Problem areas named in the 34 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Visibility | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
What owners report
DSG automatic transmission started going into neutral at various speeds and driving conditions. It feels as though the clutch disengages momentarily, causing the vehicle to slow down and engine to rev. This is definitely not safe when trying to merge or drive on the highway. This is a know issue with VW DSG transmissions and warranted a safety recall on earlier vehicles. My vehicle is newer than the recall so VW has no obligation to help me. They inspected the car and told me it needed a transmission replacement, but that the transmission is no longer produced or available. I would need to source a used transmission and try my luck. It is unacceptable that VW has no liability in this issue t
I'M ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING UPHILL AND THE TEMPERATURE RED LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. I DECIDED TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE FLASHING LIGHT HAD ME CONCERNED. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STAYED AT NORMAL POSITION SO I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME. I WAITED AWHILE AND THEN CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR COOLANT LEVEL AND IT WAS DOWN TO THE BOTTOM BARELY ANY LEFT. SO I BOUGHT THE RECOMMENDED COOLANT BY VW AND FILLED IT UP TO LEVEL. I DROVE THE NEXT DAY AND PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY AND LATER THAT DAY I SAW COOLANT PUDDLE ON CONCRETE DRIPPED FROM ENGINE. I SUSPECT IT'S THE WATER PUMP AGAIN. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BEFORE WITH COOLING SYSTEM TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP DEALT WITH IT BY R
I WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT MY BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGING UNTIL MY PEDAL WAS PUSHED WELL OVER HALF WAY DOWN. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. I STARTED NOTICING THAT IF I PUMPED MY BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE REALLY WAS NOT SAFE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL TIRES PLUS REPAIR SHOP WHO BELIEVED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS BAD AND IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES STILL WERE NOT EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING. AT THAT POINT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS HAD GOTTEN REPLACED AND EVEN AFTER THAT, NOTHING HAD IMPROVED. TIRES PLUS DECIDED THE CAR NEEDED TO G
SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED ON THE HIGHWAY.
INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2015. IN LATE 2019 THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A SERVICE ENGINE WARNING WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AGAIN. OUT OF WARRANTY THE SERVICE COST ME IN EXCESS OF $1000. I SEE THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED ON OLDER YEARS FOR THE SAME EXACT REASON BUT NOT THE 2013. THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
2013 Volkswagen GTI questions
Does the 2013 Volkswagen GTI have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen GTI: Modified VWs May Not Meet Federal Safety Rules; Driver Front Airbag May Not Deploy in a Crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen GTI?
Based on 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (11), Fuel/Propulsion System (7), Power Train (5).
How do I check if a recall on my 2013 Volkswagen GTI has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.