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
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Airbags recall
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
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
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
3
Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING OUT OF TOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO GO ABOVE 20 MPH. I PULLED IT OFF OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I RESTARTED AND AGAIN IT WOULD NOT GET PAST 20 MPH. WHEN I SWITCHED THE CAR TO MANUAL MODE IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 2ND GEAR. AFTER A FEW HOURS OF SITTING THE CAR WORKED PROPERLY. I CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA I WAS TRAVELING AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING INTO "LIMP MODE" AND THAT VW HAD HAD TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. I DROVE THE CAR HOME. SEVEN DAYS LATER, THE EXACT THING HAPPENED AND I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHO INFORMED ME "THEY HAD NOT HAD ANY TYPE OF COMPLAINT SIMILAR TO WHAT I WAS DESCRIBING". THEY DID HOWEVER CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC BECAUSE MY CONCERN IS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAVING THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWING DOWN AND BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND OR IF I AM TURNING, NOT BEING ABLE TO COMPLETE MY TURN BEFORE SOMEONE STRIKES ME FROM THE SIDE. THAT MECHANIC ALSO SAW WHAT I WAS EXPLAINING AND SAID THAT THE DEALERSHIP NEEDED TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. IT DID THE SAME THING AS I WAS LEAVING THE SHOP SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR SEVERAL DAYS THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT THE DSG TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT A WARRANTY, THEY SAID I WAS NOT COVERED, HOWEVER IN THE LAST 10 YEARS THERE WERE OVER 53,000 VWS AND AUDIS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF THIS IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY MINE IS NOT COVERED.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11194933 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
3
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11088719 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
2
Most reports here involve loss of braking.
Read full complaint
Unable to drive vehicle ABS system failure - no braking is possible. ABS warning light and loss of braking control while attempting to drive. The module part recall 45F2 does not apply to my year 2011 vehicle. Though the previous year there is a recall for the part by VW. VW representatives will not offer recall or payment for part replacement saying recall does not apply to 2011. Vehicle is at risk. VW will not assume responsibility for faulty part. The vehicle is too dangerous to drive. Consumers should be informed.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11521427 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
10
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVE NOTICE THAT I HAVE FAULTY TAKATA AIRBAGS A FEW YEARS AGO. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS AVAILABLE THAT WOULD SWAP THE ORIGINAL AIRBAG WITH A REPLACEMENT MODULE OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN THAT DID NOT INCLUDE A DRYING AGENT. THAT NOTICE WAS CLEAR THAT THIS WAS ONLY AN INTERIM REPAIR UNTIL A REDESIGNED UNIT IS AVAILABLE. I HAD THE INTERIM REPAIR DONE ON MY VEHICLE. I NOTICED NOW THAT WHEN SEARCHING FOR RECALLS, IT SAYS THERE ARE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE UNDERLYING DESIGN DEFECT, AND BECAUSE THERE IS NOT AN ACTIVE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IT SEEMS THAT AT THIS TIME IT WILL NOT BE FIXED. PLEASE CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ADDRESSING THE NEEDED REDESIGN OF THE AIRBAG MODULE. THANK YOU
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11066170 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 18 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (69) and fewer than the 2012 (94). 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.