2008 Volkswagen Eos Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Volkswagen Eos has 47 complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 4th worst among 10 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Transmission & powertrain problems dominate, making up 55% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 8,921.5 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #4 of 10 Eos years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 47
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2008 Volkswagen Eos problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (55%)
- Structure & Body9 (19%)
- Electrical System7 (15%)
- Engine7 (15%)
- Other4 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)
- Airbags1 (2%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- DSG transmission lurches, hesitates, or drops into neutral unexpectedly, sometimes as early as 12,000 miles.
- Drivers report the car briefly loses power while accelerating or downshifting, then makes a hard clunk and lunges forward.
- Some owners describe losing all power to the wheels for several seconds when accelerating from a stop or merging into traffic.
- The convertible top area develops a persistent rattling noise that repair attempts fail to permanently fix.
- The trunk lid opens and closes on its own via the hydraulic system, in one case closing on a driver's fingers.
- Windows fail to stay engaged and the top leaks, causing distraction while driving in rain.
2008 Volkswagen Eos recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2008 Volkswagen Eos fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Eos years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Volkswagen Eos reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 47 complaints for the 2008 Eos with a complaint index of 67, ranking 4th worst of 10 model years tracked. It carries a Caution verdict relative to other Eos years.
- What are the main problems with the 2008 VW Eos?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 55% of complaints, mostly involving DSG transmission hesitation and loss of power, with a median failure mileage of 8,921.5 miles. Structure & Body complaints, including trunk and convertible top rattling, make up 19%.
- Does the 2008 VW Eos have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2008 Eos.
- How does the 2008 Eos compare to other years?
- The 2008 Eos (complaint index 67) ranks better than 2009 (100, Avoid), 2010 (78, Avoid), and 2012 (89, Avoid), but worse than 2011 (22, Best) and 2013 (33, Good).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 VW Eos?
- The 2008 Eos gets 24 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 according to the EPA.