MYRModel Year Report

2013 Volkswagen Golf

▲ Better than typical
2013 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:43:54.119Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
43
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 43 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1994 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 43 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2018 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2001 2002: 74 complaints 2003: 26 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 43 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023

2013: 43 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199443
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200274
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201070
2011110
201248
201343
201412
2015131
201685
2017117
201829
201962
20206
20217
202281
202311

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

33% · 14 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The problem started about three months ago when my car had 50K mi. Right after it had been serviced by the dealer. Initially, the yellow engine light would come on occasionally (E.g. On in the morning and then off in the afternoon).

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-21

Fuel/propulsion system

26% · 11 reports

Air bags

21% · 9 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Takata recall. Insignificant unusual sound when turning the steering wheel. It sounds like clicks. This occurs when the car is stationary or while driving.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-16

Electrical system

16% · 7 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-08-24

Steering

12% · 5 reports

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  2. R
    2016-01-15Air bags15V483000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2017-03-10Air bags16V078000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  5. R
    2018-03-16Air bags18V148000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  7. R
    2018-11-29Unknown or other18V329000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-12-20Air bags19V862000 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.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V483000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V329000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 19V862000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Volkswagen Golf is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Golf have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.