2012 Volkswagen Eos: common problems and reliability

One of the worst Eos years.

One of the Volkswagen Eos years to avoid. All Eos years

94 owner complaints, most about air bags. 4 recalls.

Should I buy a 2012 Eos?

The 2012 Volkswagen Eos has 94 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine.

Safety record for the 2012 model year

94
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
1
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Volkswagen Eos vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Eos years only. How we score it

Is 2012 a good year for the Eos?

Across the 9 Eos model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2015) to 94 (2012). With 94 complaints, the 2012 Eos sits above the model's median of 40.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
64
engine
13
electrical system
6
steering
5
power train
5

Recalls affecting the 2012 Eos

unknown or other

Campaign 18V329000

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.

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 18V148000

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.

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 16V078000

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.

air bags:frontal

Campaign 15V483000

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.

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a strong emphasis on condition and maintenance. Long-term owners express significant affection for the vehicle's design, driving experience, and unique combination of a convertible hardtop with a sunroof.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Eos. See the full Eos owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Eos listings typically run $7,995–$12,165 across 2008 to 2016 model years.

Other Eos model years

Compare every Eos year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Eos against its rivals

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