2013 Volkswagen GTI: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 34 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (27% of complaints); the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Intake manifold was replaced under warranty in 2015. In late 2019 the vehicle displayed a service engine warning which turned out to be the intake manifold again. Out of warranty the service cost me in excess of $1000. I see the warranty was extended on older years for the same exact reason but not the 2013. This needs to be remedied as soon as possible.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
“Without warning the vehicle puts itself into neutral was told nothing can be done unless it's able to be diagnosed or replicated this is a known issue on earlier models that resulted in an extended warranty due to the safety concerns. Did contact dealer and voa”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2019
“Car was driven in a neighborhood. First noticed some smoke coming out of the hood, stopped the car, more and more smoke came out and couldn't even see anything if anyone were to be in the car. Notice some fire start to appear at the bottom of the car, called 911. The entire hood was on fire by the time firefighters arrived. It seemed there was going to be an explosion if firefighters were to arrive a minute later.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen gti. While driving 45 mph, the transmission went into neutral rapidly and slowed down the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to volkswagen of stevens creek (4490 stevens creek blvd, san jose, ca 95129) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was ruined with a megatronic unit and needed to be replaced. The dealer suggested the contact call the manufacturer to see if they would pay for the repair since the failure occurred in earlier vehicle models. The manufacturer was contacted, but only offered to assist with a portion of the repair cost. The failure mileage was 64,060. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2018
“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).”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen gti. While driving 72 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated and the temperature gauge increased. The vehicle was towed to jim wynn volkswagen (2021 w main st, norristown, pa 19403) where it was diagnosed that the temperature sensor needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was waiting to hear about the possibility of a buy back. The failure mileage was approximately 50,200.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2018
“I've started to notice that after driving my car and using the dsg shifter or sport mode, my car will not start back up for a while after parked. Seems only to happen after warm engine. I will start the car and then it will sputter before the engine shuts off. After about an hour or maybe longer, I am able to crank it and drive.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2018
“The vehicle was on a highway and started beeping with warning light that said "brakes service now" and both brake and ABS lights were on. I took it to shoulder to check. The car had only 33000 miles on it. The brakes seemed to be okay though. Took it to the dealer who upon inspection said the ABS control unit is faulty and needs replacing. He quoted 3300 for the repair. Upon checking, he said the it failed not because of any user error, and the control unit should last a long time. Looks like there were recalls for vw car from 2008-2009 for a similar issue.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen gti. The contact stated that the fuel cap warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to neftin westlake volkswagen (3550 auto mall dr, thousand oaks, ca 91362, (805) 497-9404) where the dealer stated that no recalls were associated with the VIN. The contact stated that an unknown failure was not determined. Upon picking up the vehicle, the warning indicator was no longer illuminated. That after leaving the dealer, the check engine indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2018
“Vehicle has 48k miles. Check engine light came on and it was diagnosed as a p2015 error. Recommended replacement of intake manifold. Found information that vw extended warranty of the intake manifold to 10 years/100k miles in many vehicles, but my VIN was not included in that warranty extension. This seems to be a common, recurring problem in volkswagens. This warranty extension needs to be extended to all vehicles.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
How other years compare
Check your exact GTI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
NHTSA has 34 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Volkswagen GTI. The most complained-about area is engine (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Volkswagen GTI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Volkswagen GTI have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning unknown or other. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.