2013 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 518 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,294miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, 3% of the 518 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,294 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Jetta se 2013 keeps stalling while driving. It happened since I bought it and took it to the dealership a couple of times, and nothing wrong was found. It has happened a few times during the highway and almost have been in a couple of deadly accidents. This has also happened while driving in regular streets at about 30-40mph.I have been reading that this is a common issue, but so far vw has not done anything about it. Also, both headlights are not working anymore. It seems might be an issue with some sensors, but nothing that they have been able to identify.”
NHTSA complaint #11318584, filed 2020-03, 15 miles“There have been many issues with this model but the one I am having more issues with, are the head lamps and/or fuses. In october of 2014, my left side low beam stopped working, I bought 2 bulbs so it could be replaced and then it wasn't the bulb, it was a fuse. In january 2015, the left side bulb stopped working again, I took it to the dealer because I couldn't find any fuse that was blown on my own, this time it was the bulb. Now it is the right side low beam that isn't working. …”
NHTSA complaint #10700985, filed 2015-03, 1,000 miles“I hit a tree on a city street and the airbag did not deploy that time either and I had a cut on my head I had injury to my knee and my achilles tendon both of which resulted in surgeries. I have had two other accidents since neither time neither I have had two other accidents since and the air bags did not deploy. Both of those were in parking lots. I am 84 and have fallen twice since the accident because of my injuries and sustained head trauma and memory loss. I will try to locate the accident date. It was in 2016.”
NHTSA complaint #11056713, filed 2017-12, 20,000 miles“Over the last 6 months as I am driving on the highway my low beam light short out at night. This has happen twice while driving. I do notice a blinking dash light prior to the head lamps go out. This has happen twice over the last 6 months. Vw of america say it not a issue. Will not pay for the$ 80.00 for repair. It is not so much about the repair it is a severe safely issue . I was driving in the dark going 30 MPH on a highway to get off the highway no where to stop just with daytime lights on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10573073, filed 2014-03, 31,000 miles“This is the third time this year I have needed to replace my headlights. This time even the replacement headlights are not working. My vehicle currently has no working headlights. Just the high beams, park lights, daytime running lights and turn signal lights work, but not the low beam headlights. I don't understand it and my vehicle is highly maintained and in great condition. Yet, I keep suffering with the same headlight problem. I don't believe it's the bulbs and my mechanic has even told me it's a fault with the manufacturing of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10897818, filed 2016-08, 62,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10210225Apr 7, 2022Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 24 | 6% |
| 2013 | 17 | 3% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 41 | 7% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 32 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 6% |
| 2002 | 50 | 7% |
| 2001 | 80 | 12% |
| 2000 | 34 | 8% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
148 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
141 complaintsEngine
112 complaintsOther or unknown
98 complaintsFuel system
43 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsVisibility (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 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