RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen Eos Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
84
Latest May 21, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Eos, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

27
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

While in slow traffic and transmission in Drive position, if I slow down or stop for traffic in front of me or a red light, the transmission does not engage again when given acceleration. I have shut the car off and restarted again, sometimes more than once to get it to engage and get me out of traffic. I have held up traffic behind me. There are also loud clunking noises coming from what I believe is the transmission at each start causing the PRNDL to flash and no power for reverse and drive. I believe all of this will eventually cause a collision as it appears to other vehicles that I should be moving. People have also become very frustrated with my vehicle holding up traffic, especially on the busiest of days and long lines waiting to advance behind me. People have become impatient and angry to the point of road rage. Thankfully, no one has actually tried to hurt me physically. The date below would be the latest incident.

NHTSA ID 11685828 · filed Sep 8, 2025

I slowly at 5mph went over a bump and my car went automatically into neutral, all of the P R N D S lights on the dash started blinking and the car just kept revving when I tried to put it into gear. I had the car towed to the dealership and it is currently there. I looked on Kelly Blue Book and saw there was a recall for my vehicle type and the recall states exactly what happened to my car. Can my VIN number be added to this recall since it is the very same mechanical issue? Here is the information I found on the recall NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 09V333000 Report Date: AUG 20, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 16000 What You Should Do: VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, INSPECT THE DSG AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE AN AFFECTED DSG TEMPERATURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987. Summary: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND AUGUST 2009. THE WIRING HARNESS OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX (DSG) MAY HAVE CONNECTOR WIRES THAT WERE INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. WITH INSUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED CONNECTOR WIRES, A TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FALSELY DETECT A HIGH GEARBOX OIL TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SELECTOR LEVER POSITION INDICATOR WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL FLASH. IN ADDITION, THE "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" INDICATOR LIGHT WILL BE ILLUMINATED, ALERTING THE DRIVER TO APPLY THE BRAKES. To see if your specific vehicle is affected 1-800-822-8987 or nhtsa.gov Please let me know if there is anything that can be done. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11551092 · filed Oct 20, 2023
All 27 reports naming powertrain (other)

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

22
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

All of my lights on the right side of my dashboard is on..the traction light, brake light,steering wheel light and the speedometer is acting iradical..I put new speed sensors on it and it still haven't fixed the problem..alot of mechanics say it's and electrical problem..I bought the car from flow Mazda dealership a couple years ago it's been sitting since then

NHTSA ID 11543616 · filed Sep 9, 2023

The vehicle has exhibited intermittent ABS, ESC, and Brake light. Code check revealed intermittent communication errors with various parts of the ABS system including the control module. Diagnostics varied, undiagnosable due to intermittent activity and varying codes. April 2021, ABS, ESC, Brake light, codes indicate communication error with the ABS control module. Codes and light reset after being cleared, the vehicle was operational and drives with no detectable issues other than lights/ and possible non-operational ABS. 06/29/2021, 10 minutes into drive vehicle speedometer begins to dance from zero to operating speed, to total fault intermittently in interstate traffic on I-10 west into Houston at Channel View, braking begins to engage automatically/intermittently, loss of engine power, check engine/flashing brake light , vehicle narrowly avoids collision. Vehicle parked and restarted, driven back home with check engine and flashing brake light and intermittent speedometer, no drivability issues. 6/30/21 internet search for similar issues reveals an abundance of similar issues without drivability problems and 2017 recall# Part 473 Safety Recall Report 16V-913. I would call attention to pages 3 and page 4 of this recall 1.) Considering the events of 6/28 and page 3 of the recall under Chronology, Volkswagen appears to admit the problem, and with a thorough understanding of its own systems should openly acknowledge the ability of this system to cause dangerous drivability conditions. 2.) Page 4, Recall Schedule, Description of Recall, Indicates that VW has still to provide dealers and owners with notification of this issue. As an owner and knowledgeable professional in automotive service I can assure you as of 7/1/2021, nearly five years after VW acknowledged the issue in Dec. 2016 to the NHTSA, and 11 years after addressing the concern in production with the 2010 models, we have not been notified.

NHTSA ID 11423072 · filed Jul 1, 2021
All 22 reports naming brakes

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

All of my lights on the right side of my dashboard is on..the traction light, brake light,steering wheel light and the speedometer is acting iradical..I put new speed sensors on it and it still haven't fixed the problem..alot of mechanics say it's and electrical problem..I bought the car from flow Mazda dealership a couple years ago it's been sitting since then

NHTSA ID 11543616 · filed Sep 9, 2023

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL ON IT'S OWN. FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BECAUSE OF THE NEUTRAL SHIFT THERE IS NO POWER. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE CAR.

NHTSA ID 11399804 · filed Mar 8, 2021
All 17 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Car randomly turning off/on. Key stuck in ignition, cannot turn off or on. Bouncing from on to accessory mode without user control. Vehicle was taken to dealership, VW North America has not been very helpful. Could have gotten into an accident as this occured in the road turning into a restaurant. No lights came on about this. Dealership has had car for 3+ weeks "waiting for parts". VW North America does not want to get involved. To kill the engine I had to pull the fuel pump fuse.

NHTSA ID 11739271 · filed May 21, 2026

All of my lights on the right side of my dashboard is on..the traction light, brake light,steering wheel light and the speedometer is acting iradical..I put new speed sensors on it and it still haven't fixed the problem..alot of mechanics say it's and electrical problem..I bought the car from flow Mazda dealership a couple years ago it's been sitting since then

NHTSA ID 11543616 · filed Sep 9, 2023
All 15 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Car randomly turning off/on. Key stuck in ignition, cannot turn off or on. Bouncing from on to accessory mode without user control. Vehicle was taken to dealership, VW North America has not been very helpful. Could have gotten into an accident as this occured in the road turning into a restaurant. No lights came on about this. Dealership has had car for 3+ weeks "waiting for parts". VW North America does not want to get involved. To kill the engine I had to pull the fuel pump fuse.

NHTSA ID 11739271 · filed May 21, 2026

approximately 6 years my daughter and her boyfriend were driving and she heard a loud pop sound, and thought it might be a tire but it wasnt behaving like it was and then all of the sudden people are driving next to her telling her to pull over cuz the car was on fire, she pulled it over and as soon as she got out the whole car caught fire. when they noticed the fire it had started near or under the passenger front seat, there was no warning lamps or any problems proir. The auto insurance company took the car and they said they inspected it but never gave me any answers, they simply paid off my loan and that was it. The fire department put out the fire, the car was burnt to a crisp, and the fire men were accusing my kid of smoking and starting the fire, so they did no investigation.

NHTSA ID 11732242 · filed Apr 19, 2026
All 14 reports naming engine

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN EOS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ID 10366661 · filed Nov 18, 2010

OUR 2009 EOS LUX WAS BEING DRIVEN AT A SLOW SPEED INTO A HEAD IN PARKING SPACE YESTERDAY. GAS PEDAL WAS BEING ENGAGED TO GET INTO THE SPACE WHEN CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAPIDLY LUNGED FORWARD STRIKING TWO PARKED CARS IN THE PARKING ROW FACING THIS SPACE. PROPERTY DAMAGE ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE TWO VEHICLES STRUCK WAS SIGNIFICANT. THIS CAR HAD SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION THE DAY BEFORE; AFTER THE SUDDEN JUMP FORWARD THE CAR RESUMED A NORMAL ACCELERATION. INSURER AND DEALER HAVE ASSURED US THEY WILL INVESTIGATE. THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND WE WILL NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNLESS WE ARE CERTAIN THAT THE DEFECT IS IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10316788 · filed Mar 4, 2010
All 9 reports naming transmission

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

approximately 6 years my daughter and her boyfriend were driving and she heard a loud pop sound, and thought it might be a tire but it wasnt behaving like it was and then all of the sudden people are driving next to her telling her to pull over cuz the car was on fire, she pulled it over and as soon as she got out the whole car caught fire. when they noticed the fire it had started near or under the passenger front seat, there was no warning lamps or any problems proir. The auto insurance company took the car and they said they inspected it but never gave me any answers, they simply paid off my loan and that was it. The fire department put out the fire, the car was burnt to a crisp, and the fire men were accusing my kid of smoking and starting the fire, so they did no investigation.

NHTSA ID 11732242 · filed Apr 19, 2026

FIRST THING TO GO ON THIS CAR WAS THE CLUTCH PACK COULD HEAR CLANKING NOISE WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN...HAD TO REPLACE.. NEXT CAME THE FAILED INJECTOR..I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE EXCHUSHED PIPE CAR ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE FUEL HAD LEADED ALL OVER MY ENGINE ..NOW THE ABS UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED THEY WANT $2,600.00.. ..MY CAR HAS 34,000.00 MILES ON IT...THE INSIDE OF MY DOORS ARE PEELING...THEY WANT ANOTHER $1,000.00 FOR THAT ! ..&THE ROOF GETS STUCK HALF WAY WHEN ITS REALLY HOT!

NHTSA ID 10906762 · filed Sep 14, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN EOS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BUT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TENSION BELT AND TIMING CHAIN DETACHED, CAUSING THE ENGINE PISTONS TO SLIDE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID 11046456 · filed Nov 16, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN EOS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V913000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ABS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED THE AIRBAG RECALL STATING THAT THE MANUFATURER REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ABS MODULE.*JS

NHTSA ID 10981260 · filed Apr 28, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE LEAKING ON THIS HISTORICALLY DEFECTIVE HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE HAS CAUSED YET ANOTHER PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE WAS ENTIRELY FLOODED, AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAY IT IS NEARLY A TOTAL LOSS. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE THE MODEL WAS INTRODUCED AND VOLKSWAGEN HAS DECLINED TO DEAL WITH IT. MY PARTICULAR CAR CAN BE DRIVEN RIGHT NOW, BUT MAY STOP RUNNING AT ANY TIME DUE TO THE WATER THAT HAS SEEPED INTO VITAL PARTS, SUCH AS BRAKES AND ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10593064 · filed May 21, 2014

WHENEVER IT RAINS OR WHILE GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LEAKS BY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. VW MECHANICS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE LEAK AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND TO DATE, HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10490779 · filed Jan 2, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN EOS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ID 10928251 · filed Nov 28, 2016

UPON CLOSING CONVERTIBLE TOP WHILE STATIONARY ON THE SHOULDER OF A DIVIDED ROADWAY, DRIVER'S WINDOW JAMMED HALFWAY AND BECAME INOPERABLE. VW DEALER AND VW REGIONAL OFFICE CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN WINDOW REGULATORS, AFFECTING ABILITY TO SEE PROPERLY OUT OF VEHICLE. VW PERSONNEL SAID THEY HAD ACTUALLY EXTENDED A WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT -- PROVIDING 100,000 MILES OF COVERAGE. HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THEY STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN 2014 AND WOULD NO LONGER BE HONORED DESPITE THEIR ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS FORCED ME TO HAVE THE DEFECT REPAIRED AT EXTREMELY HIGH COST AND MY OWN EXPENSE. THE INVOICE IS ATTACHED, AND I HAVE KEPT THE RUINED PARTS FOR FURTHER DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ID 10865237 · filed May 16, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE LEAKING ON THIS HISTORICALLY DEFECTIVE HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE HAS CAUSED YET ANOTHER PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE WAS ENTIRELY FLOODED, AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAY IT IS NEARLY A TOTAL LOSS. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM SINCE THE MODEL WAS INTRODUCED AND VOLKSWAGEN HAS DECLINED TO DEAL WITH IT. MY PARTICULAR CAR CAN BE DRIVEN RIGHT NOW, BUT MAY STOP RUNNING AT ANY TIME DUE TO THE WATER THAT HAS SEEPED INTO VITAL PARTS, SUCH AS BRAKES AND ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10593064 · filed May 21, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 2009 EOS IS UNDER RECALL FOR THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS. I REPLACED MY BRAKES AS ONE MECHANIC THOUGHT BECAUSE THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON - THAT WAS NEEDED. THE ABS LIGHT STILL STAYED ON. LAST WEEK THE ABS LIGHT AND AND ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND MY CAR LOST POWER AND CONTROL ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT LEAVING ME ON THE SIDE OF THE RODE IN DANGER AND HAD TO CALL AAA. VW WILL ONLY REPLACE ABS IF A "CERTAIN CODE" SHOWS UP WHICH THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU ABOUT TILL YOU PAY THE 150.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE- THEN TELL YOU THE VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED IS NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. IN FACT- IT WILL COST 2700.00 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM - WHICH NEEDS REPLACING- BUT ONLY IF IT ACCEPTS THE COMPUTER UPDATING SYSTEM. WHICH IS BROKEN BECAUSE IT IS A FAULTY ABS. VW ADMITTED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF A INCORRECT SOLDER COMPOUND- WHICH CAN CAUSE CRACKING IN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSE SUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL POWER TO FLOW. YET- THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE TO BE REPLACED???? ONLY THING THEY WILL FIX IS THE COMPUTER UPDATING SYSTEM- WHICH WILL NOT UPDATE IF THE UNIT IS BROKEN- WHICH THEY CAUSED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY UNIT. THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE ABS UNIT WHICH IS BROKEN BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT??? THIS CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH INTO A POLE- AND ALSO I HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS UNIT WHICH COSTS 1400.00 - NOW I FIND OUT THIS WAS A RECALL AFTER THE FACT. I WENT TO FORUMS AND FOUND AT LEAST 20 OTHERS WIT THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT COVERED??????? THIS IS NOT OKAY AND I WORK FOR ABC AND WILL MAKE THIS A HUGE DEAL JUST LIKE THE OTHER SCANDAL THEY ARE BARELY RECOVERING FROM- YOU GUYS NEED TO DO SOMETHING. I COULD HAVE DIED AND THEY ARE DOING NOTHING AND NOT COMPENSATING ON MY RECALLED CAR. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID 11051636 · filed Dec 1, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .