Volkswagen Eos Recalls

The Volkswagen EOS has 8 recalls covering 2009 through 2016, with the most serious being a driver's frontal airbag inflator defect on 2015-2016 models where the inflator can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury.

The airbag inflator issue actually spans most of the EOS production run across multiple recalls. On 2010-2014 models, the same type of inflator failure can occur, with excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture and scatter metal fragments toward the driver in a crash. A related but separate issue on 2010-2013 models involves debris contaminating the airbag clock spring, the coiled cable that keeps the airbag powered while the steering wheel turns. If that connection fails, the driver's airbag will not deploy in a crash at all.

On the 2009 model year, two recalls apply. The anti-lock brake and electronic stability control unit can fail during an active braking or stability event, leaving the driver without those systems at a moment when they are needed most. Also on 2009 models equipped with the Direct-Shift Gearbox, a temperature sensor wiring connector inside the transmission may have been improperly crimped, which can affect gearbox operation.

The 2012-2016 model years are subject to a compliance recall tied to modifications made during an internal evaluation period before the vehicles were sold. The 2012 model year has a separate, narrower compliance filing for similar pre-sale modification concerns. Neither of these carries a specific described defect beyond potential non-compliance with regulatory requirements.