YearToAvoid

2014 Volkswagen Eos Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2014 Volkswagen Eos has 40 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 44, and 3 recalls, ranking 6th worst of 10 model years with a Good verdict. Airbags dominate complaints at 78% of cases, driven mainly by the Takata inflator recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
44/100
#6 of 10 Eos years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
40
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2014 Volkswagen Eos problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags31 (78%)
  2. Electrical System4 (10%)
  3. Other3 (8%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (5%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
  7. Engine1 (3%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (3%)
  9. Steering1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Automatic transmission unexpectedly downshifts into first gear or drops into neutral at highway speed, requiring the driver to pull over.
  • Sunroof glass has shattered while driving on the highway with no apparent impact, scattering glass inside the cabin.
  • Owners report receiving Takata airbag recall notices but being told no replacement part was available yet.
  • Some owners say they were not notified of the airbag recall directly and only learned about it from the dealer.
  • One owner described being denied a lease termination or loaner vehicle while waiting for the Takata airbag fix.
2014 Volkswagen Eos complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2015May 2016Sep 2016Mar 2017Jul 2018Mar 2019Jul 2022Aug 2025
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2015 to Dec 2025; peak Apr 2016 (3).

2014 Volkswagen Eos recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

2014 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.

2014 compared with other Eos years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid8994425
2013Good3326425
2014Good4440325
2015No verdict03225
2016No verdict114225

All Volkswagen Eos years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Eos reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2014 Eos has a complaint index of 44 and 40 complaints, ranking 6th worst of 10 model years. It carries a Good verdict relative to other Eos years.
Does the 2014 Volkswagen Eos have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2014 Eos, two of which involve Takata airbag inflators and one covering emissions compliance.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2014 Eos?
Airbags account for 78% of complaints (31 of 40), almost all tied to the Takata inflator recalls, with a median failure mileage of 16,000 miles.
How does the 2014 Eos compare to other years?
The 2014 model's complaint index of 44 is better than 2009, 2010, and 2012, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 100, 78, and 89. The 2011 Eos has the lowest index at 22 and is rated Best.
What fuel economy does the 2014 Volkswagen Eos get?
EPA rates the 2014 Eos at 25 mpg combined (22 city/30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.