2013 Volkswagen Golf/GTI
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl
- Horsepower
- 140–170 hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual, automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 32 combined · 29 city / 39 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 24% better than the average 2013 compact car (25.9 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2013 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 5-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 39 highway), 24% better than the 2013 compact car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2013
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Golf/GTI — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Golf/GTI →
Trims, performance & features
Built in: Wolfsburg, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2013 Golf/GTI configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +24% | $3,000 | 318 |
| Golf Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 32 | +24% | $3,000 | 315 |
| GTI | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | +4% | $3,050 | 331 |
| Golf | 2.5L 5-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 26 | 0% | $2,600 | 334 |
| Golf | 2.5L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 26 | 0% | $2,600 | 335 |
| GTI | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | -3% | $3,300 | 358 |
| Golf R | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -15% | $3,750 | 401 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf/GTI.
Similar 2013 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (this car) | 32 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2013 Toyota Corolla | 29 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2013 Honda Civic | 44 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Camaro | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2013 Mazda 3 | 32 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2013 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2013 Toyota Yaris | 33 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (5)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Dec 4, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V862000 · 226 vehicles
- 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.
Unknown Or Other · May 16, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · 252 vehicles
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Aug 4, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles
- 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.
Not every 2013 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Volkswagen Golf/GTI buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 10 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 9 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 8 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Golf/GTI. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Golf/GTI years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Golf/GTI | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Golf/GTI | 27 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 Golf/GTI | 27 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 Golf/GTI | 27 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 Golf/GTI | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 11 |
| 2022 Golf/GTI | 28 | – | Not rated | 0 | 81 |
| 2021 Golf/GTI | 33 | – | ★★★★★ | 1 | 7 |
| 2020 Golf/GTI | 32 | – | ★★★★★ | 2 | 6 |
| 2019 Golf/GTI | 32 | – | ★★★★★ | 6 | 63 |
| 2018 Golf/GTI | 29 | – | ★★★★★ | 6 | 29 |
| 2017 Golf/GTI | 29 | – | ★★★★★ | 5 | 117 |
| 2016 Golf/GTI | 29 | – | ★★★★★ | 9 | 85 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →