Every 2013 Volkswagen Golf recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 19V862000
Apr 12, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Full recall details for 19V862000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V148000
Jun 3, 2018Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Full recall details for 18V148000 →Unknown Or Other · NHTSA 18V329000
May 16, 2018Unknown Or Other
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V329000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V078000
Oct 2, 2016Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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 available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Full recall details for 16V078000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 15V483000
Apr 8, 2015Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V483000 →
2013 Volkswagen Golf complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Golf, reporting 3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries. Volkswagen has issued at least 1,300 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine14
- Air Bags12
- Fuel/Propulsion System11
- Electrical System8
- Service Brakes5
- Steering5
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (822)
- Electrical System (489)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (476)
- Power Train (221)
- Engine (208)
- Structure (112)
Read Volkswagen Golf owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2013 Volkswagen Golf
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
EA18003Opened Apr 18, 2018Open
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
RQ17009Opened Nov 13, 2017Closed May 4, 2018
- Air Bag Clockspring Failure
PE15010Opened Mar 24, 2015Closed Sep 28, 2015
What people reported
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Golf. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“Failed click-spring in the steering wheel- the airbags and horn are out of commission.”
2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ROct 4, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11487898
Injury reported
“The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat overheated and burned the occupant. The burn injuries were minor and there was no medical attention sought. The contact mentioned that the front passenger side fan was failing as well.”
2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLFAug 24, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11481068
Crash
“RECALL 37M2 - MY 2013 VW JETTA SPORTWAGON/AUTOMATIC, W/KEY - IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. HOWEVER - THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR - ONLY 4 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT!”
2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGENOct 17, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11269086
“Clock spring failure with airbag error light on, and steering controls & horn not functioning. Car previously had clock spring fixed under recall in Aug 2016 (car mileage 55,619), and now had the exact same issue occur in Nov 2021 at 79,596 mi.”
2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF RDec 12, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11443521
Fire
“WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR , THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED AND TURNED DIM. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT DOES WHEN THE CAR BATTERY WAS DEAD BUT SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS I LEFT TO GET TO THE PHONE , FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE HOOD.”
2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLFFeb 12, 2014
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10564035
Check your Golf by VIN
Not every 2013 Volkswagen Golf is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Volkswagen dealer.
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