This page covers 5 recalls, 94 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Volkswagen Eos.
25 mpg combined
9.4 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Eos are heavily concentrated in one area: airbags. The majority of the 94 filed complaints involve the airbag system, with owners describing failures to deploy during collisions they say should have triggered deployment. A smaller but recurring thread involves heated seats, where multiple owners report the seat heating element getting hot enough to scorch clothing and melt or burn the seat material itself. Engine and powertrain complaints make up a much smaller share of reports. On the transmission side, a handful of owners describe the vehicle dropping into what feels like a false neutral while driving, accompanied by a flashing gear indicator and wrench symbol on the dash, with the issue typically clearing temporarily after a full restart.
94
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Volkswagen Eos has 5 recalls, the most serious being a driver's frontal airbag inflator that can rupture or explode in a crash, sending metal fragments into the cabin and potentially causing serious injury.
A separate airbag concern involves the clock spring, a coiled flat cable inside the steering column that keeps the airbag circuit connected while the wheel turns. Debris can contaminate this component and break the electrical connection, leaving the driver's airbag unable to deploy in a crash. Two of the remaining recalls relate to pre-sale modifications made during an internal evaluation period that may cause the vehicle to fall out of compliance with regulatory requirements, which could raise the risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
At a glance
What can fail
Some early production vehicles may have been modified before sale in ways that don't meet regulatory requirements.
What the fix does
Volkswagen will buy back the affected vehicles and take them out of service.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Modifications made during an internal evaluation period may have left these vehicles not fully compliant with applicable regulatory requirements.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair vehicles to restore full compliance or Volkswagen will repurchase them at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator can build up excessive pressure during deployment and rupture, potentially causing injury.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator with a safer alternative at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up too much internal pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Debris may contaminate and tear the air bag clock spring—a spiral cable that powers the driver's front air bag during steering wheel turns—causing the air bag to lose electrical connection.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective cover over the clock spring if the air bag light is off, or replace the clock spring if the light is on. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
