YearToAvoid

2014 Volkswagen Eos Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 Eos years

The 2014 Volkswagen Eos has 40 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 67, and ranks 3rd worst out of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags dominate at 78% of complaints, largely tied to Takata recalls, with a median failure mileage of 16,000.

Complaints
40
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
22 city / 30 hwy

Top 2014 Volkswagen Eos problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Automatic transmission suddenly downshifts to first gear at highway speed, throwing occupants forward as the seatbelt fails to catch.
  • Automatic transmission unexpectedly shifts to neutral while driving around 50 mph, requiring the driver to coast to a stop.
  • Glass sunroof shatters while driving on the highway with no apparent cause, scattering glass inside the cabin.
  • Owners report being told their vehicle is unsafe due to the Takata airbag recall but no replacement part or fix was available.
  • Owners describe long delays getting the Takata airbag recall repair completed after being notified by the dealer.
2014 Volkswagen Eos complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2015May 2016Sep 2016Mar 2017Jul 2018Mar 2019Jul 2022Aug 2025
47 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2015 to Dec 2025; peak Apr 2022 (4).

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)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid10094425
2013Caution5026425
2014Caution6740325
2015No verdict03225
2016No verdict174225

All Volkswagen Eos years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Eos reliable?
NHTSA lists 40 complaints for the 2014 Eos with a complaint index of 67, ranking it 3rd worst among the 7 Eos model years tracked, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Eos years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Volkswagen Eos?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 78% of complaints, mostly tied to Takata airbag inflator recalls, with a median failure mileage of 16,000.
Does the 2014 Volkswagen Eos have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Eos, including two separate Takata airbag inflator recalls (campaigns 16V078000 and 18V148000) and one additional recall (18V329000).
How does the 2014 Eos compare to other Eos years?
The 2014 Eos, with a complaint index of 67, ranks better than 2012 (index 100, Avoid) and 2010 (index 83, Avoid) but worse than 2011 (index 33, Good) and 2013 (index 50, Caution).
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Volkswagen Eos?
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.