2013 Volkswagen GTI Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Volkswagen GTI, 12% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Airbag error light went on. All electronics on steering wheel, including horn stopped working. Vw dealership technicians say that clock spring failed and want $654 to fix it. This vehicle was already serviced under clock spring failure recall in 2015 (NHTSA campain number: 15v483000).”
NHTSA complaint #11097303, filed 2018-05, 65,000 miles“The contact owned a 2013 Volkswagen GTI. While the contact's son was driving at an unknown speed, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole on the passenger side. The contact stated that the front driver, front passenger, and side passenger air bags deployed. The driver was fatally injured due to frontal lobe damage, dislocation of the spine, aorta damage, and lacerations of the liver. The front seat passenger sustained broken ribs and injuries to the head and eyes, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11098496, filed 2018-05, 77,000 miles“Takata recall north park vw dealer in san antonio texas states that the air bag recall cannot be performed because parts are not available. Is this true?”
NHTSA complaint #10978489, filed 2017-04Related recalls
- 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta…Covers: Volkswagen GTI 2011–2014, CC 2010–2014, Passat 2010, 2012–2014 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Inquiries
- 11030826Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 10241183Aug 3, 2023Installation of accessory alarm added instead of referring out to another website.
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 7% |
| 2015 | 3 | 3% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 4 | 12% |
| 2012 | 5 | 13% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 14% |
| 2006 | 7 | 16% |
| 2005 | 1 | 13% |
| 2004 | 4 | 57% |
| 2003 | 18 | 34% |
| 2002 | 23 | 19% |
| 2001 | 19 | 26% |
| 2000 | 4 | 9% |
| 1999 | 1 | 13% |
| 1998 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen GTI
11 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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