2011 Volkswagen Eos Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Volkswagen Eos ranks among the best model years, with a complaint index of 22 and just 18 complaints, ranked 8th worst out of 10 years. Airbags account for 56% of complaints, tied to two recall campaigns, but overall reported problems are far lower than in 2009 or 2012.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 22/100
- #8 of 10 Eos years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 18
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21.5 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2011 Volkswagen Eos problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags10 (56%)
- Brakes2 (11%)
- Electrical System2 (11%)
- Other2 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (11%)
- Engine1 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
- Structure & Body1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver frontal airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision that later totaled the vehicle.
- Some owners with Takata recall notices reported that replacement parts were unavailable for months after notification.
- The horn stopped working unless the key was in the ignition, which one owner flagged as a safety concern during a near-collision.
- Electrical faults included melted fuses that knocked out multiple exterior lights.
- Owners reported ABS/ESC warning lights and intermittent loss of braking control, with some saying VW denied recall coverage for their build date.
- One owner described a broken timing belt tensioner spring that caused major engine damage.
2011 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.
2011 Volkswagen Eos fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 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.
2011 compared with other Eos years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Volkswagen Eos reliable?
- Relative to other Eos model years, 2011 performs well. It has a complaint index of 22, the second-lowest among the 10 model years with data, and carries a Best verdict.
- What problems does the 2011 Volkswagen Eos have?
- NHTSA complaints center on airbags, making up 56% of the 18 total complaints, followed by smaller numbers involving brakes, electrical systems, and transmission. There were 2 crashes and 1 injury reported, no fires.
- Does the 2011 Volkswagen Eos have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Eos, both related to airbags: a driver frontal airbag inflator replacement and a steering wheel clock spring protective cover installation.
- How does the 2011 Eos compare to other years?
- The 2011 Eos ranks 8th worst out of 10 years, meaning only two years perform better. Years like 2009 (complaint index 100) and 2012 (complaint index 89) carry Avoid verdicts, far worse than 2011's 22.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Volkswagen Eos?
- EPA rates the 2011 Eos at 25 mpg combined (21.5 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.