2012 Volkswagen Eos Airbags Problems
Airbags account for 64 of 94 total complaints (68%) on the 2012 Volkswagen Eos, the highest share of any problem area that year. Three related recalls cover Takata inflators, driver frontal airbag inflators, and steering wheel clock spring protection, with median failure mileage reported at 50,000 miles.
- Airbags complaints
- 64
- 68% of 94
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 50,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report frontal airbags failing to deploy during actual collisions, resulting in injuries.
- Many owners describe long delays getting Takata recall inflator replacement parts, with dealers unable to schedule repairs for extended periods.
- Several owners state they experienced no failure but were notified of the Takata recall and could not get the part before the vehicle exceeded a reasonable repair timeframe.
- Owners express concern about driving with an unrepaired Takata inflator, describing the airbag as a safety risk rather than a protective device.
- Some owners report dealers and VW corporate declining to provide loaner or rental vehicles while recall parts remained unavailable.
When 2012 Volkswagen Eos airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 15, 2016, latest Mar 20, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Eos
- 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.
- 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.
Airbags complaints by Eos model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are airbag complaints on the 2012 Volkswagen Eos?
- Airbags make up 64 of the 94 total complaints filed for the 2012 Eos, or 68% of all complaints — the largest single problem area for this model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2012 Volkswagen Eos?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three airbag-related recalls for the 2012 Eos: campaign 15V483000 covering a steering wheel clock spring cover, campaign 16V078000 covering driver frontal airbag inflator replacement, and campaign 18V148000 covering an alternative driver airbag inflator.
- Did the airbag problems cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data for this component and year lists 1 crash and 1 injury among the complaints filed.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2012 Eos?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for airbag complaints on the 2012 Eos is 50,000 miles.
- How does the 2012 Eos compare to other Eos years for airbag complaints?
- The 2012 Eos had 64 airbag complaints (68% share), higher in raw count than 2010 (24 complaints, 35% share) and 2011 (10 complaints, 56% share), though 2014 had a higher share at 78%.