Eos (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Volkswagen Eos Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
3.2-V6-Gas
3.2L 6-cyl / 250 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Eos, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos
On a used 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (169), the transmission and drivetrain (102) and the electrical system (61). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 169 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos about the engine.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 34 owner complaints on the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos about the brakes.
Recalls (7)
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.
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.
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.
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. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.
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.
Show 2 older recalls
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.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES.
Alternatives in Compact
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos complaints?
Owners have filed 424 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the transmission and the electrical system.
Is the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 424 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos have?
NHTSA has 424 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Eos?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the transmission and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Eos have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2007-2016 Volkswagen Eos. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 424 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.