2013 Volkswagen Golf vs 2013 Volkswagen Jetta
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2013 Volkswagen Golf | 2013 Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 43 | 515 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,296 | 1,531 |
| Investigations | 3 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 11 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–32 | 25–44 |
| Median reported mileage | 50,000 mi | 59,811 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 | 148 |
| Power Train | 1 | 140 |
| Engine | 14 | 112 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 11 | 34 |
| Steering | 5 | 37 |
| Air Bags | 9 | 30 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 22 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 16 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 5 | 57 |
| Check engine light | 5 | 40 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 38 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 14 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 10 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 9 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 0 | 6 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 6 |
2013 Volkswagen Golf
2013 Volkswagen Jetta
Compare all Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Jetta years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.