repaired · 2020 Q1
Unknown or other
Risk. If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
2013 Volkswagen GTIProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 34 owner complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the engine. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-483 the manufacturer reports only 76% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 22, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Volkswagen GTI has problems
34 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Engine
7Fuel/propulsion system
5Power train
4Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
3Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
2Electronic stability control (ESC)
2Visibility
2Service brakes
2Structure
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2013 Volkswagen GTI recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Air bags: frontal
Risk. A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other GTI year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GTI median. How we score
'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Volkswagen GTI safety ratings
2013 Volkswagen GTI 2 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Volkswagen GTI, and the recalls they led to.
- Clockspring failureNo recall
- Air Bag Clockspring FailureLed to recall 15V-483
- Air Bag Clockspring FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What GTI owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I'M ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING UPHILL AND THE TEMPERATURE RED LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. I DECIDED TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE FLASHING LIGHT HAD ME CONCERNED. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STAYED AT NORMAL POSITION SO I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT HOME. I WAITED AWHILE AND THEN CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR…
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…
MY CAR'S ENGINE MAKES A TICKING SOUND WHEN I START IT AND WHEN IT'S IN IDLE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER, SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THAT WITH THE 2013 MODELS. I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL MY ENGINE IS RUINED. TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER SHOULD NOT BE GOING BAD OR SHOWING…
Own a 2013 GTI?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.