2013 Volkswagen Golf Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 12%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Volkswagen Golf, 12% of the 43 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11321438, filed 2020-04, 120,000 miles“The rear brakes (mainly driver side) on my 2013 sportwagon tdi, are sticking bad.. Mileage has dropped 10 mpg-ish, and they are really emitting quite a bit of heat.. So obviously the brakes are sticking, but I cant find the reason... I asked the dealer if they could take a look. And they said that it just needs new pads and the caliper sliders greased. So I had them all replaced. It seemed to be better getting normal mileage and less heat and now a couple days later its back to sticking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10715291, filed 2015-05, 50,000 miles“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, filed 2013-08, 2,554 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11025069, filed 2017-09, 50,000 miles“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, filed 2013-07, 2,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10210402Apr 14, 2022Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states coolant leak Oil level sensor leaking Customer states front brake noise Customer states blind spot…
- 10210434Apr 12, 2022Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states coolant leak Oil level sensor leaking Customer states front brake noise Customer states blind spot…
- 10209101Mar 10, 2022Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Customer states coolant leak Oil level sensor leaking Customer states front brake noise Customer states blower stays…
- 10208921Mar 3, 2022Customer states rattle noise from the underbody heat shields Oil level sensor leaking Customer states front brake noise Customer states blower stays on Customer states cannot set…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 29% |
| 2019 | 1 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 8 | 6% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 5 | 12% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2005 | 1 | 5% |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
| 2001 | 10 | 9% |
| 2000 | 12 | 14% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1998 | 2 | 11% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
| 1994 | 8 | 20% |
| 1990 | 2 | 20% |
| 1989 | 4 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Golf
14 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology