IllustrationFailed click-spring in the steering wheel- the airbags and horn are out of commission.
2013 Volkswagen Golf R
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Golf R years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 4 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
3 reportsClock spring failure with airbag error light on, and steering controls & horn not functioning. Car previously had clock spring fixed under recall in Aug 2016 (car mileage 55,619), and now had the exact same issue occur in Nov 2021 at 79,596 mi. Original recall did not fix issue, service records available.
7 times now, I have heard a “pop” while turning the steering wheel & the airbag light has come on. The horn will not work after this happens. Each time, it has occurred at low speed, whilst making a turn or merely backing out of my driveway. 6 times of the 7 times, I have taken it to the Hansel VW dealership in Santa Rosa, CA & …
Read full complaint
7 times now, I have heard a “pop” while turning the steering wheel & the airbag light has come on. The horn will not work after this happens. Each time, it has occurred at low speed, whilst making a turn or merely backing out of my driveway. 6 times of the 7 times, I have taken it to the Hansel VW dealership in Santa Rosa, CA & they have told me it was the clockspring in the steering column & they have replaced it. The 1st time, it was replaced under the vehicle’s warranty, 4 of the other times it was replaced under the parts warranty. On 3/18/20, the part was out of warranty & I had to pay for it, but was not charged for labor. On 9/25/21, I was backing out of my driveway, when it occurred for a SEVENTH time. As I have recently relocated, I will be taking it to the Niello VW dealership in Sacramento on 10/6/21 for repair. I am in the process of contacting VW of America Dates of clockspring replacement: 01/28/2015 05/05/2017 03/06/2018 05/29/2018 03/18/2020 07/27/2020 10/06/2020 (scheduled)
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.