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2013 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and reliability
· 7th generationAn average Golf year.
44 owner complaints, most about engine. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2013 Golf?The 2013 Volkswagen Golf has 44 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag charge port door latch failure.
Safety record for the 2013 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Volkswagen Golf vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Golf years only. How we score it
Is 2013 a good year for the Golf?
Across the 27 Golf model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2008) to 317 (2015). With 44 complaints, the 2013 Golf sits about the same as the model's median of 44.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2013 Golf
unknown or other
Campaign 18V329000Volkswagen 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.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 18V148000Volkswagen 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.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 16V078000Volkswagen 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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 15V483000Volkswagen 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.
Show 1 more recall
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 19V862000Volkswagen 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.
What owners report on the 7th generation Golf
Owners of the 7th generation Golf generally express strong satisfaction, praising it as one of the best-driving hatches available and a significant step up from previous vehicles.
- IsolatedCharge port door latch failure
- IsolatedRadiator failure
- IsolatedIntake manifold failure
- IsolatedIgnition coil and spark plug failures
- IsolatedHeadlight ballast failure
Owner insights for the 7th generation Golf. Read the full 7th generation owner report.
Other Golf model years
Compare every Golf year side by side to see how 2013 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Golf against its rivals
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