2013 Volkswagen Golf Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 12%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Volkswagen Golf, 12% of the 43 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles.
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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10633456, filed 2014-09, 37,500 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10534805, filed 2013-08, 1,150 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10690751, filed 2015-02, 15,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235284Apr 27, 2023This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 7 | 5% |
| 2013 | 5 | 12% |
| 2012 | 2 | 4% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 3 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 7% |
| 1994 | 2 | 5% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Golf
14 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsBrakes
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 Oct 30, 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