Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 | −84% | 2 | Electrical | Good |
| 2015 | 3 | −87% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2014 | 40 | 1.4× | 3 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2013 | 26 | −29% | 4 | Airbag | Average |
| 2012 | 94 | 3.2× | 4 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2011 | 18 | −53% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2010 | 69 | 2.1× | 2 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2009 | 84 | 2.3× | 2 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2008 | 47 | 1.4× | — | Transmission | Caution |
| 2007 | 40 | −32% | — | Airbag | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Eos year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Volkswagen Eos problems
Latest Volkswagen Eos recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015 Passat, 2015-2016 Eos, 2015-2017 CC, 2016-2017 TT Roadster, TT Coupe, 2017 Audi R8 Coupe, and R8 Spyder vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
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 4, 2019.
Unknown or other
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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…
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Volkswagen Eos should you avoid?
2012, 2009, 2010, 2008 and 2014 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Eos years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2012.
What is the best year for the Volkswagen Eos?
2015 has the fewest complaints compared with other Eos years at the same age, followed by 2016 and 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Volkswagen Eos problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (168), transmission & drivetrain (102) and engine & cooling (56). Airbag complaints peak in the 2012 model year.
How many recalls has the Volkswagen Eos had?
7 recalls across 2007–2016. The model year with the most is 2012. See all Volkswagen Eos recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.