2009 Volkswagen Eos Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Volkswagen Eos ranks worst among 10 model years for this model, with 84 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 2 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 43% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 31%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 10 Eos years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 84
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21.5 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Volkswagen Eos problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (43%)
- Brakes26 (31%)
- Engine18 (21%)
- Electrical System15 (18%)
- Fuel System5 (6%)
- Airbags4 (5%)
- Other4 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles unexpectedly lunge or jerk forward at low speed, sometimes striking other parked or moving vehicles.
- Transmission hesitates or fails to engage from a standstill, with delays of a few seconds before the car moves.
- Transmission clunks or grinds when shifting between drive and reverse.
- Brake pedal reportedly fails to operate at speed, leading to a crash where airbags did not deploy.
- Engine unexpectedly shifts into neutral during a turn, then lurches forward into drive without driver input.
- Convertible top leaks water into the cabin during rain or car washes despite repeated repair attempts.
2009 Volkswagen Eos recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V913000Dec 20, 2016Brakes135,683 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Risk: A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- NHTSA 09V333000Aug 20, 2009Transmission & Powertrain16,000 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Risk: The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy: Volkswagen will reprogram the transmission control module with updated software free of charge. The recall began on october 20, 2009. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
2009 Volkswagen Eos fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2009 compared with other Eos years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Volkswagen Eos reliable?
- Compared to other Eos model years, 2009 ranks worst, with the highest complaint index (100) and 84 complaints reported to NHTSA.
- What are the main problems with the 2009 VW Eos?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 55,000 miles, and Brakes account for 31%, with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 VW Eos have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a direct shift gearbox wiring harness issue (campaign 09V333000) and one for an ABS control module software update (campaign 16V913000).
- What year Eos should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2009, 2010, and 2012 are rated Avoid, with 2009 having the highest complaint index (100) among all 10 model years.
- What year Eos is the best choice?
- The 2011 Eos is rated Best, with only 18 complaints and a complaint index of 22, the lowest among all model years with data.