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BrakesPart report

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems

Complaints
22about this part
Share
4%of 518 total for the year
Median mileage
54,600miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the 518 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,600 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The mechatronic unit had already had to been replaced previously when the 2nd issue happened I was at the stoplight in the car lost all movement power the AC and all the instruments were also working door locks windows everything I got it towed to the dealership and they say it was the electric motor quoted me nearly $12000”

NHTSA complaint #11376880, filed 2020-11, 177,000 miles

“My car displays no problems on the dash, there are no lights on but when I am driving the car stalls and sometimes just shuts off locking my brakes and steering. Usually happens when the car is going under 20mph. After it shuts of I have to put it in park to restart and it restarts without a problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10893236, filed 2016-08, 66,200 miles

“Attempted to use my brake pedal and it didn't stop the car. Upon the second or third pump, it did finally engage. This delay in the brake caused me to run a stop sign. I was lucky no one was around.”

NHTSA complaint #10586790, filed 2014-05, 10,950 miles

“I went through some water (not much) andthen when I came to a stop light I stopped the car. After less than a minute of being stopped the car stalled and the battery light came on. The battery is new and I just purchased this car in december 2013 and it is a year model 2013. I have never had any issues until now. I went to turn a corner and the light came back on, car stalled, and steering became very tight. I am not sure what this issue is, but the car is only about a year old (if even that). Very frustrating.”

NHTSA complaint #10599015, filed 2014-06, 38,000 miles

“When driving my Jetta in s (sport selection on the transmission) on a surface street I came to a red light. I started braking and the brakes felt spongy and unresponsive. I tried pressing on the brake pedal with more force but was not getting much braking response. The vehicle took a very long distance to respond compared to its response time when in d (drive selection on the transmission). Lucky I am an early barker and there was not a car in front of me so the vehicle only went into the intersection a short distance before it stopped. …”

NHTSA complaint #10542648, filed 2013-09, 2,186 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202526%
20241328%
20231126%
20221228%
20212637%
2020713%
2019305%
201813%
2017159%
20162314%
20151910%
2014185%
2013224%
2012377%
2011285%
2010556%
200920523%
20082312%
20074422%
2006305%
2005146%
2004125%
2003225%
2002517%
20017712%
20004510%
1999319%
1998116%
199724%
199626%
19952310%
199498%
199316%
199227%
199126%
199029%
1988316%
198716%
198617%
1985323%

Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta

Electrical system
148 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
141 complaints
Engine
112 complaints
Other or unknown
98 complaints
Fuel system
43 complaints
Steering
37 complaints
Air bags
31 complaints
Exterior lighting
17 complaints
Vehicle speed control
17 complaints
Body and structure
15 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta

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