MYRModel Year Report

2012 Volkswagen EOS

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Volkswagen EOS
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:37:49.371Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
94
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

68% of complaints

Complaints per year

2007: 40 complaints 2007 2008: 47 complaints 2009: 84 complaints 2009 2010: 69 complaints 2011: 18 complaints 2012: 94 complaints 2012 94 2013: 26 complaints 2014: 41 complaints 2015: 3 complaints 2015 2016: 4 complaints
2007: 40 complaints 2007 2008: 47 complaints 2008 2009: 84 complaints 2009 2010: 69 complaints 2010 2011: 18 complaints 2011 2012: 94 complaints 2012 94 2013: 26 complaints 2013 2014: 41 complaints 2014 2015: 3 complaints 2015 2016: 4 complaints 2016
2007: 40 complaints 2007 2008: 47 complaints 2008 2009: 84 complaints 2009 2010: 69 complaints 2010 2011: 18 complaints 2011 2012: 94 complaints 2012 94 2013: 26 complaints 2013 2014: 41 complaints 2014 2015: 3 complaints 2015 2016: 4 complaints 2016

2012: 94 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200740
200847
200984
201069
201118
201294
201326
201441
20153
20164

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

68% · 64 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

In an accident I was struck by another vehicle that swerved into my lane at a very high rate of speed. His vehicle struck my car on the drivers side front quater panel just after the head light and continued past the drivers door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-02

Also filed under Electrical system

The vw safety recall 15V483 - safety recall 69L2 on the clock spring- vw did their "Fix" When I took it in 2016, however the steering wheel clock spring went bad (Loss of steering control when backing up- also controls steering wheel controls such...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-24

Engine

14% · 13 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The motor abruptly shut off while driving. Within 20 seconds the inside of the car filled with smoke and shortly thereafter there were visible flames seen through the front grill. Fire spread and fully engulfed the car. Flames extended 20 feet.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-01-15

Electrical system

6% · 6 reports
CRASHINJURY

Steering

5% · 5 reports

Power train

5% · 5 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Here is my story... Transmission will go into neutral state while driving. Finally failed on 2/2013. Mechatron unit replaced. Problem continued. They blamed third party rear view camera which I deactivated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-05

1ST time pulling up to the airport parking gate transmission disengaged, unable to move the car for about 5 to 10 minutes. 2ND time on the onramp of the highway entering traffic, transmission disengaged again.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-03

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 94 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2015-03-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-28 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  3. R
    2016-01-15Air bags15V483000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2017-03-10Air bags16V078000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2017-11-13Recall queryClosed 2018-05-04 Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  6. R
    2018-03-16Air bags18V148000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2018-04-18Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Clockspring Failure
  8. R
    2018-11-29Unknown or other18V329000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Volkswagen EOS — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 64 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V483000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V078000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V148000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V329000 · Unknown or other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Volkswagen EOS reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Volkswagen EOS is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen EOS?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 68% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen EOS have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.