2012 Volkswagen Eos Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 7 Eos years
The 2012 Volkswagen Eos ranks worst of 7 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 94 complaints, mostly airbag-related. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including three Takata airbag campaigns, making 2012 the year to avoid within this model line.
- Complaints
- 94
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 30 hwy
Top 2012 Volkswagen Eos problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags64 (68%)
- Engine13 (14%)
- Electrical System6 (6%)
- Other6 (6%)
- Fuel System5 (5%)
- Steering5 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in crashes, including a head-on collision and a side impact, resulting in head and body injuries.
- Owners describe delays getting Takata airbag recall repairs completed, with dealers unable to provide loaner vehicles while the defective inflator remained installed.
- The engine shut off abruptly while driving and filled the cabin with smoke before flames spread through the front grill, totaling the car.
- A seat heater overheated and burned the seat and a passenger's coat without producing visible flames.
- The transmission disengaged unexpectedly at low mileage, once at a parking gate and again while merging onto a highway.
- The panoramic sunroof glass fractured into small pieces while driving at highway speed and required full replacement.
2012 Volkswagen Eos recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- 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 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Airbags659,493 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture 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 inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
2012 Volkswagen Eos fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 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.
2012 compared with other Eos years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Volkswagen Eos reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Eos has the highest complaint index (100) of the 7 model years tracked, driven mainly by airbag issues, so it ranks as the year to avoid for this model.
- What is the top problem area for the 2012 Eos?
- Airbags account for 64 of the 94 complaints (68%), with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2012 Eos have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three separate airbag recalls affecting the 2012 Eos: campaigns 15V483000, 16V078000, and 18V148000, related to Takata driver's airbag inflators and a steering wheel clock spring cover.
- How does the 2012 Eos compare to other Eos years?
- The 2012 model has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2010 (83), 2014 (67), 2013 (50), and 2011 (33), placing it as the worst-ranked year in NHTSA complaint data among the years listed.