2010 Volkswagen Eos Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Volkswagen Eos ranks 3rd worst of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 78 and 69 NHTSA complaints, and carries an Avoid verdict. Airbags and transmission problems dominate owner reports, backed by two recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #3 of 10 Eos years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 69
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21.5 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2010 Volkswagen Eos problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags24 (35%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (32%)
- Engine11 (16%)
- Brakes8 (12%)
- Electrical System6 (9%)
- Fuel System3 (4%)
- Other3 (4%)
- Steering3 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (1%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Drivers report the transmission lurching or jerking when starting from a stop, sometimes tied to a mechatronics unit needing replacement.
- DSG transmission can lose motive power or delay engagement when shifting into drive or reverse, occasionally causing the car to roll unexpectedly.
- Some engines stall briefly at highway speed while the EPC and check-engine lights flash, with no clear pattern to when it happens.
- Owners describe sudden, complete loss of power for several seconds while driving between 0 and 40 mph, which dealers reportedly could not replicate.
- The steering wheel has seized while parking, with owners noting parts were unavailable to complete the related recall repair.
- One owner reported a fractured timing chain that left the engine with no compression, requiring the engine to be replaced.
2010 Volkswagen Eos recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Airbags363,713 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
- NHTSA 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other Eos years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Volkswagen Eos reliable?
- Compared with other Eos model years, the 2010 ranks 3rd worst of 10 years, with a complaint index of 78 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 VW Eos?
- Airbags account for 35% of complaints and Transmission & Powertrain for 32%, followed by Engine issues at 16% and Brakes at 12%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2010 VW Eos have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2010 Eos, both related to airbags: one for a driver's frontal airbag inflator and one for a steering wheel clock spring cover, neither marked do-not-drive.
- What year Volkswagen Eos should I avoid?
- The 2009, 2010, and 2012 model years carry Avoid verdicts, with 2009 having the highest complaint index at 100; the 2011 Eos is rated Best with a complaint index of 22.
- At what mileage do 2010 Eos problems typically occur?
- Median mileage at failure for the 2010 Eos overall is 63,000 miles, though airbag complaints cluster around 55,600 miles and transmission complaints around 78,000 miles.