RecallRepo

2013 Volkswagen Golf Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2013 Volkswagen Golf has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,439,509 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 19V862000 2019-12-04 226 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. 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,…

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18V329000 2018-05-16 252 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

AIR BAGS 18V148000 2018-03-06 363,713 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially…

AIR BAGS 16V078000 2016-02-10 659,493 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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.

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. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available.…

AIR BAGS 15V483000 2015-08-04 415,825 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

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. 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…

Complaints by component

ENGINE
14
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
11
AIR BAGS
9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7
1fires1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
5
2crashes
STEERING
5
SUSPENSION
4
1crashes
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
Total complaints67

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“I was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my epc went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) I lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph I couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2023-02-10

“I was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my epc went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) I lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph I couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2023-02-10

“I was driving down the freeway on the way to work at 75 mph when all of a sudden my epc went off in my 2013 volkswagon gti my entire car shut down (manual transmission) I lost all steering ability while on the freeway going 75 mph I couldn't get over to the shoulder due to loss of brakes due to…”

ENGINE · reported 2023-02-10

“The low beam headlamp burned out. I replaced the bulb successfully, but then the headlamp needed adjustment to be aimed properly with the new bulb. I found instructions online to aim the headlamp. There are three adjustment points, covering both low and high beams, according to the online…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2022-12-01

“The steering wheel clock spring was replaced on my vehicle as part of a recall in may 2016 by a local vw dealer. Within the last month I've received an "error: airbag" notification on my dash. My mechanic scanned the air bag control module for codes and there was 1 in memory: b1000 igniter for…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2022-05-21

“Misfiring after cold starts. After driving the car in freezing temperatures, problem sometimes happens when the car is allowed to sit and water in the intercooler melts. It may start fine, but then starts misfiring when pulling into traffic and creates dangerous merges. Misfire goes away in the…”

ENGINE · reported 2022-01-16

“Car shut off while driving on the freeway at a high rate of speed. Eps and check engine light came on. Luckily was able to pull over without hurting anyone. Local repair shop said it is the timing chain system.”

ENGINE · reported 2021-09-01

“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen golf. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, he shifted into third gear and the vehicle sputtered and shut-off with the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated a tow truck tried to boost the battery and it…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2021-03-07

Defect investigations

Investigation EA18003 Opened 2018-04-18 · open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation EA18003 Opened 2018-04-18 · open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation EA18003 Opened 2018-04-18 · open

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation PE15010 Opened 2015-03-24 · closed 2015-09-28

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a…

Investigation PE15010 Opened 2015-03-24 · closed 2015-09-28

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a…

Investigation PE15010 Opened 2015-03-24 · closed 2015-09-28

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a…

Investigation RQ17009 Opened 2017-11-13 · closed 2018-05-04

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Investigation RQ17009 Opened 2017-11-13 · closed 2018-05-04

Air Bag Clockspring Failure

In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.