Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

2 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V148000 · Mar 2018

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 supersedes recall 16V-078.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 15V483000 · Aug 2015

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 free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

69 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
32

Most reports here involve transmission slipping.

transmission slipping 17sudden stalling 10fluid leaks 2
A recent report: Drove the car to the bank when trying to leave the car would not start. We towed the car to the volkswagen dealership `and they said it the engine and some other faults totaling over $21000.00 Now…
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Drove the car to the bank when trying to leave the car would not start. We towed the car to the volkswagen dealership `and they said it the engine and some other faults totaling over $21000.00 Now the car is back home and not repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11504490 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
3

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 3
A recent report: DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MULTIPLE EXTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED GOING OUT INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS. LIGHTS CONTINUED TO GO IN AND OUT. TOOK CAR TO VW DEALERSHIP. IT WAS FOUND THE…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MULTIPLE EXTERIOR LIGHTS STARTED GOING OUT INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS. LIGHTS CONTINUED TO GO IN AND OUT. TOOK CAR TO VW DEALERSHIP. IT WAS FOUND THE FUSE AND FUSEBOX WERE MELTED. OTHER VW MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE VW EOS IS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THE MELTING FUSE BOX. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS RARE TO HAPPEN. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE COSTS DUE TO THE FUSE AND FUSE BOX MELTING. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11164673 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
6

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 4loss of braking 2
A recent report: ABS CONTROL MODULE IS DISPLAYING FAULT CODE 01130; THIS IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VW AND AUDI'S MANUFACTURED IN 2009 THRU 2014. CAR IS SKIDDING ON WET ROAD AS THIS AFFECTS TRACTION CONTROL, TOO. HAS VW…
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ABS CONTROL MODULE IS DISPLAYING FAULT CODE 01130; THIS IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VW AND AUDI'S MANUFACTURED IN 2009 THRU 2014. CAR IS SKIDDING ON WET ROAD AS THIS AFFECTS TRACTION CONTROL, TOO. HAS VW CONSIDERED A BROADER RECALL OF THE ABS MODULE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11415635 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
3

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 2loss of steering 1
A recent report: SEPT 20515 - SAFETY RECALL 69L2 - STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING, REPLACED 2016 - WENT OUT AGAIN 9-20, 5 YEARS LATER. VW DENIED REPLACEMENT AS IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT…
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SEPT 20515 - SAFETY RECALL 69L2 - STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING, REPLACED 2016 - WENT OUT AGAIN 9-20, 5 YEARS LATER. VW DENIED REPLACEMENT AS IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOESN'T STAY ON. THE HORN, DOESN'T WORK, OR OTHER CONTROL ON STEERING COLUMN. STEERING WHEEL STARTED SQUEAKING IN AUG. 2020. IT STARED AS I WAS DRIVING, HAD TO USE HORN TO STOP SOMEONE FROM BACKING INTO ME AND IT DIDN'T WORK, THOUGHT I PERHAPS DIDN'T PRESS HORN HARD ENOUGH, NOT THE CASE, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL, RADIO, ETC. ANYTHING CONTROLLED BY STEERING WHEEL DO NOT WORK. I NEED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. ALSO THE "AMBIENT TEMP SENSOR" STOPPED WORKING, REPLACED I HAD TO PAY.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11355619 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
23

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.

airbags not deploying 3electrical shorts 1
A recent report: IN 2015, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING. A REPAIR WAS MADE, NOT A REPLACEMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON IT. IN SEPT. 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES, THE AIRBAG…
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IN 2015, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CLOCK SPRING. A REPAIR WAS MADE, NOT A REPLACEMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON IT. IN SEPT. 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WERE LOST INCLUDING THE HORN. VW IS REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE COVER THAT WAS INITIALLY INSTALLED IN 2015. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE COVER DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE AND THE CLOCK SPRINGS ARE FAULTY AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THEY AIRBAG AND HORN DO NOT WORK WHEN THEY FAIL. IF THEY HAD REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING IN 2015, I WOULD UNDERSTAND A SECOND ONE NOT BEING COVERED. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT, THEY PLACED A COVER OVER IT. THEIR REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THE RECALL PROPERLY AND REPLACE THE PART IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE THE CLOCK SPRING, I DEMANDED IT WHEN I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT THAT COST OVER $700.00.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11140715 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: TAKATA RECALL

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10926773 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 69 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2023, roughly 6 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 69 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (18). Of the 5 model years of the Volkswagen Eos we cover, the 2012 has the most (94). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.