London, MI
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
Airbags did not deploy..as per police report
NHTSA complaint #11755733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2013 Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems
31 of the 739 complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta are about the airbag system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 45,000 miles.
31
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
Exactly what failed
AIR Bags
30
96.8%
Driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette
1
3.2%
Airbags across every Volkswagen Jetta year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Dekalb, IL
AIR BAGS
I discovered that my 2013 Volkswagen Jetta has a completely nonfunctional airbag system. On 8/23/23- airbag warning light illuminated and has remained on. In 08/2025- Midas staff informed me the light may indicate an airbag defect and referred me to Volkswagen. On 09/24/2025- Volkswagen dealer inspection documented both front crash sensors were unplugged/damaged, leaving the airbag system inoperable. Safety concern: I unknowingly drove this car for over two years with no functional airbags. This created a severe risk of injury or death in the event of a motor vehicle accident. This car was sold by Carvana as having passed a 150-point inspection and under warranty coverage. However, Carvana later stated that they have a disclaimer that shifts the responsibility of the car being safe to drive onto the consumer, and that they never claimed the car had a functioning air bag system.
NHTSA complaint #11691807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
AIR BAGS
Passenger seat air bag light off light is on
NHTSA complaint #11549199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
AIR BAGS
Passenger air bag light is on saying off
NHTSA complaint #11549201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 miles
Ocoee, FL
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bags indicator warning alarm sounded as if there was a passenger seated in the seat. The passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11537775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keller, TX
AIR BAGS
Component Failure: Airbag Light is On, No steering wheel electronic controls work including cruise control. Safety: I'm uncertain if the Airbag will deploy in the event of a crash. Dealer Confirmed: Dealer states the Steering Wheel Clock Spring requires replacement, but that it is not a part of the VW recall issued August 2015. Inspected: Hiley VW Dealership inspected the vehicle Warning Lamps: Airbag Light is currently on. Uncertain when it started since I'm the 2nd owner of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11504479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland Heights, OH
AIR BAGS
Vehicle would not shift, OBD2 code P037B "stuck in gear 6." Vehicle towed to a auto mechanic that said they spoke with VW dealer and confirmed it was a crack in the transmission and was undriveable. I have contacted VW who have said there are recalls for many transmissions of this Jetta but not for my VIN. I have also had issues with the clock spring (replaced) and an air bag sensor (malfunction light still on) and now the transmission. There are recalls for Hybrid Jettas of this year but apparently not for my VIN. It seems like a large coincidence and feels like it should be investigated, especially considering the other issues VW was investigated for at this time of production.
NHTSA complaint #11496935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lenexa, KS
AIR BAGS
Transmission shifts hard and told to this is a common problem with the Jetta hybrids.
NHTSA complaint #11471593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dunnellon, FL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
Airbag malfunction indicator lamp has illuminated, horn is not funtional. Returned to Volkswagen dealership for diagnosis, prognosis being faulty "clock spring." Was previously indicated as repaired under recall exhibiting same symptoms some years previously but, problem has resurfaced and is persisting.
NHTSA complaint #11468336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, LA
AIR BAGS
The clock spring in this vehicle has failed in a vehicle that currently has less than 36k miles. There were no warnings or lights prior to failure. The controls on steering wheel and the vehicle’s horn no longer work as a result. When inspected by the local dealership, they also informed us that the airbag may not deploy in the event of an accident. The dealership also told us that the replacement part is backordered and that they could not provide a date that the part would be available. The vehicle feels unsafe to drive since we do not know if the airbag works or not. VW seems to be in no hurry to provide a fix.
NHTSA complaint #11462983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hastings On Hudson, NY
AIR BAGS
My car's clock spring has failed causing the driver side / steering wheel airbag connection to fail in my car. I see that many other VW's including many VW Jettas in the same year of manufacture had a recall for this exact issue but searching by my VIN does not show a recall. I am informed that I am currently about the 1600th (yes, 1600) person waiting for this part on back-order from VW. If needed, I will be happy to provide the information of the auto repair facility that has diagnosed the problem. I think this is quite a lot of circumstantial evidence of a likely product defect that should warrant investigation particularly because failure of this part disables the air bag safety system. This is even more troublesome considering the unknown delivery date of the part due to the backorder.
NHTSA complaint #11460189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lafayette, LA
AIR BAGS
The clock spring in the steering wheel has failed, causing the air bag and horn (along with the steering wheel-controlled electrical systems) to stop working. This has been confirmed by a local Volkswagen dealership service department. The part is under extended warranty due to a prior recall, but in reality this recall apparently isn’t worth much, as the part has been backordered for several months and won’t be obtainable for up to another 6 months, or more; no actual date has been committed to. The Volkswagen service department also stated they cannot/will not temporarily fix or ameliorate the current failure of basic safety features.
NHTSA complaint #11457324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,600 miles
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Crash
2 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated while making a left turn at 5 MPH, a motorcycle crashed into the passenger’s side of the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The driver’s side air bags did not deploy; however, the passenger side side-curtain air bags deployed and then deflated. The passenger sustained neck injuries and was taken by ambulance to seek medical attention. The motorcycle rider died on the scene. The emergency services arrived on scene to administer assistance to those injured on scene. The driver also sustained bruises after the radio and window glass struck her chest and was taken for further tests. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a junkyard and deemed totaled by the Insurance provider. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,600.
NHTSA complaint #11456274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, TX
AIR BAGS
The ABS lights go on and the speedometer stopped working and all the lights have activated. the abs module has been reported that there is a defect in most of the jettas and so i believe that this should be a recall issue.
NHTSA complaint #11445121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 miles
Cleveland Heights, OH
AIR BAGS
CLOCK SPRING BROKE WHEN TURNING WHEEL 1.5 REVOLUTIONS WHILE BACKING THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPOT.
NHTSA complaint #11394945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 miles
Montgomery, AL
AIR BAGS
MY CAR WAS ALREADY RECALLED FOR AIRBAG SPRING ISSUE BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN AND STILL CONTINUE ON ALWAYS.
NHTSA complaint #11384893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 miles
Atlanta, GA
Crash
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL VW JETA WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO FREEZING RAIN IN JANUARY 2017 (KNOXVILLE, TN). VW SLID INTO ANOTHER CAR CAUSING IN EXCESS OF $5,000 DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. COMPLETE FAILURE IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM/COMPRESSOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOCKS/UNLOCKS DOORS WHILE DRIVING. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ROLLS DOWN WINDOWS FOR NO REASON. THIS BEGUN 70K MILES
NHTSA complaint #11123870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 miles
Fallston, MD
AIR BAGS
TOOK CAR IN FOR RECALL AT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THEY "FORGOT" TO DO RECALL ON AIRBAG. NEXT TIME THEY PERFORMED RECALL BUT STEERING WHEEL IS CLICKING, HORN DOES NOT WORK, NONE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS FUNCTION AND AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. TOOK CAR FOR AN EXPENSIVE ENGINE REPAIR AND I TOLD THEM THE RECALL WAS NOT COMPLETED AS THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND THEY TOLD ME THE OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MARKED IT AS COMPLETE AND IT WOULD COST ME $2000 BECAUSE AIRBAG HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT AND DISCONNECTED. SO I HAVE NO HORN, NO STEERING WHEEL FUNCTION KEYS, A STEERING WHEEL THAT CLICKS WHEN A HARD TURN IS MADE AND A RIPPED, DISCONNECTED NON-FUNCTIONING AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #11115734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellicott City, MD
AIR BAGS
LESS THAN 30000 MILES REPLACED TRANSMISSION, AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON ,NO HORN,NO STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS.SAME THING RECALLED FOR JETTA, BUT NOT JETTA HYBIRDS..
NHTSA complaint #11103940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 miles
Ellicott City, MD
AIR BAGS
TRANSMISSION REPLACED,STEERING WHEEL CONTROL NOT WORKING,MODULE FAILED
NHTSA complaint #11101616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 miles
NEW Hope, MN
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER ISNT DETECTED, AIRBAGS WONT DEPLOY ON THAT SIDE. CAR RANDOMLY WONT DETECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, AND WILL DEACTIVE THE AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #11075208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, CA
1 injured
AIR BAGS
2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE IT WAS T-BONED CAUSING IT TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10839452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 miles
Cheboygan, MI
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - I AM JUST GIVING NOTICE THAT MY AIRBAGS MAY BE FAULTY AND MAY NEED A REPLACEMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
NHTSA complaint #11047137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
AIR BAGS
IN 12/2014 I STARTED REALIZING ISSUES WITH AUTO-TRANSMISSION IN THE MORNING WHEN I START THE CAR. THE ISSUE CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVERY SINGLE DAY. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPEN FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.
NHTSA complaint #10969125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 miles
Northfield, MN
AIR BAGS
MY WIFE MUST SIT ON AN EXTRA SEAT CUSHION IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. BUT WHEN SHE DOES THE AIR BAGS DEACTIVATE. SO AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY AROUND HER SEAT. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO SWITCH THE AIR BAGS ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THERE SHOULD BE A WAY TO SWITCH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS ON SO THEY WILL DEPLOY IF THERE IS IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10888047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bonita, CA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT/SIGN ON THE DASHBOARD IS ALWAYS ON,CHARGING OUTLET NOT WORKING , VW LET US PAY $189.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND WANT US TO PAY $500.00 FROM THE REFUND FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO FIX THE AIRBAG PROB. THEY CLAIM IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING CHEWED BY RODENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10862375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 miles
Redondo Beach, CA
Crash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK OR REVERSE, IT WOULD JERK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #10855562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,500 miles
Hollywood, MD
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED IN UNDER 3 YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, VW IS REFUSING TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS A PART DEFECT ON THEIR END AND IS REQUIRING ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND IS GARAGE KEPT AND IN MINT CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10747821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,245 miles
Lone Wolf, OK
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 5/27/15 AROUND SUNSET AND TWO DEER JUMPED OVER A BARBWIRE FENCE AT THE END OF ROUND HAY BALES. AT THIS TIME, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN I SEEN THEM, BARELY HAVING TIME TO STOMP ON MY BRAKES. I ESTIMATE I HIT THEM GOING AT LEAST 55 TO 60 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. I AM CONCERNED WITH WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY ESPECIALLY SINCE MY CAR IS POSSIBLY TOTALED. I HIT THE DEER FROM THE MIDDLE OF MY BUMPER TO THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR, SENDING THE HOOD INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND SMASHING THE DRIVER SIDE BACK INTO THE DOORS. THE DAMAGES GO ON AND ON, THANKFULLY I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AT THE TIME. BUT SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE INJURIES THAT THE MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED DO NOT REMOTELY TOUCH THE PAIN: NECK PAIN WITH NUMBNESS THAT COMES AND GOES TO MY HANDS, SEVERE BACK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MY BUTT, PELVIC PAIN WITH NUMBNESS TO MY BUTTOCKS, LEFT SIDED RIB PAIN WITH SHORTNESS OF BREATH ESPECIALLY WITH TO MUCH EXERTION AND PAIN WITH DEEP BREATHES, LEFT KNEE/ANKLE PAIN AND THE INABILITY TO BEAR COMPLETE WEIGHT TO KNEE/ANKLE ALONG WITH SWELLING. SEVERE PAIN THAT SHOOTS DOWN BACK TO PELVIC WHEN BENDING OVER, INABILITY TO CROSS LEGS AND ANKLES WITHOUT CAUSING STABBING PAIN IN PELVIC AREA. AS A NURSE MYSELF, I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED LIKE THEY WERE MEANT TO DO SO I WOULD NOT HAVE NEARLY AS MANY ISSUES AS I DO NOW. THE PURPOSE OF AIRBAGS ARE TO PREVENT INJURIES AND SINCE MINE DID NOT DEPLOY, I'M SUFFERING SEVERELY WITH CONSTANT PAIN THAT KEEPS MY FROM SLEEPING WELL(CAUSING FATIGUE), THE INABILITY TO STAND OR SIT FOR A PROLONGED AMOUNT OF TIME, AND TO STAND IN CERTAIN POSITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10722824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,700 miles
Burlington, VT
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED AT A SOLID RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I GOT THE GREEN LIGHT TO PROCEED STRAIGHT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ANOTHER VEHICLE (VEHICLE #2) CROSSED MY PATH OF TRAVEL ON THE RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SIDE AND VEHICLE #2 DRIVER'S SIDE CRASHED INTO MY FRONT END. MY VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND COUNTER CLOCKWISE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF VEHICLE #2. AS A RESULT OF THIS CRASH MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE AND PIECES AND PARTS WERE STREWN ALL OVER THE ROAD. FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE OPERATED POST-COLLISION. WITH THE HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND SIDE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10663732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.