2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints542

Combined26–32 mpg

Typical price$14,113

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen recalls 1

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V078000 · 10/02/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are a…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 542 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen SW FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen MPG & running costs

Combined26–32 mpg

City26 mpg

Highway35 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen worth?

Low

$10,000

Typical price

$14,113

High

$20,200

From 61 comparable 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,000

Fuel only$14,000

Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen trims & engines on record

Trims

S PZEV · TDI

Engines

2.5L 5-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl 140 hp

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen model years

2014 2012 2011 2010

2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen — frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen?

Across all 542 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, power train, engine.

What is the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen get?

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen has U.S. EPA estimates of 26–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

How much is a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen worth?

Comparable 2013 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen listings run roughly $10,000–$20,200, typically around $14,113 (from 61 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.