2014 Volkswagen Eos

In August 2015, VW launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clock spring. VW’s recall indicated that debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in the contamination and ultimately failure of the clock spring in 2010-2014 MY CC, Eos, GTI, Golf, Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Passat, and Tiguan models. The contamination of the clock spring by debris, such as human hair, can cause the flat ribbon cable to tear. This results in the loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls. The clock spring is designed so that the flat cable inside will break with minimum force to prevent it from impeding movement of the steering wheel. The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag results in the immediate illumination of the air bag warning light and prevents the deployment of the front driver air bag in a collision of sufficient severity. A torn clock spring also causes audible grinding noises from the area of the steering wheel/driver air bag or steering column while steering. The failure of the clock spring does not impair vehicle control or drivability (steering, brakes, acceleration). In November 2017, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ17009 after receiving complaints that alleged the failure of the clock spring in the subject models. While the majority of these complaints involved vehicles excluded from the original recall, several complaints involved vehicles that had received the remedy for Recall 15V-483. On April 18, 2018, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis EA18003 after receiving additional complaints concerning the recall remedy and scope of Recall 15V-483. During the investigation, VW identified certain 2015-2018 MY vehicles that share a common steering wheel clock spring with the vehicles covered under Recall 15V-483.  VW began using a different clock spring design starting with the 2019 MY Jetta. This new part is not compatible with previous model years due to the communication properties between the clock spring and the vehicle, including the air bag control module. In October 2018, VW released Warranty Extensions AWA-18-18 and VWP-18-11, which established a 15-year, unlimited mileage coverage for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring for vehicles included in the scope of Recall 15V-483. For certain 2010-2018 MY vehicles outside of the recall scope, a 10-year, 120,000-mile coverage was given. Vehicles repaired under these warranty extensions receive replacement clock springs at no charge to the consumer. In early 2023, VW updated AWA-18-18 (now AWA-23-01) and VWP-18-11 to upgrade certain vehicles and model years from the 10-year, 120,000-mile coverage to the 15-year, unlimited mileage coverage option. These warranty extensions cover vehicles with recall remedy failures as well as vehicles outside of the Recall 15V-483 scope that exhibited similar failures. In view of the circumstances, including the high detectability of the subject failure and warranty extensions issued by VW, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

1)The tubing that takes the windshield fluid from the tank to the actual sprayers and the heating element for the washer fluid (not important but was also damaged due to flaw in design. Yes it is still available for inspection. 2)Under Ohio Administrative Code 4501:2-1-16, every motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968, must be equipped with a windshield washer system maintained in operable condition at all times, capable of cleaning the windshield to provide a clear view for the driver. Due to their flaw in design there are years of Eos’s without just this! Vw’s fix, pay for a fix where you crushed the line with the hood. They have now set us up for a minor misdemeanor Failing to keep the windshield clean or operating with an obstructed view can result in a minor misdemeanor citation under Ohio Revised Code 4513.24. When it has just rained and the road dirt is all over the wind shield there is nothing we can do add the sun blaring in, the close call have been many when factors come into play. It has been see by an independent VW mechanic who said it very common. There are no fine sign you just can’t clean your windshield, the fluid is going all over under your car, it’s wonder the electric doesn’t short out.

NHTSA ID

11774152

Incident

Jan 8, 2024

When pushing the driver side seat belt into the buckle, it instantly unlatched buckles. Yea it can be inspected. If in a car accident the driver could be seriously injured or fatally injured. I contacted Germain Westerville, Ohio who informed me it’s not under warranty and it would be $500 - $600 dollars. Contacted corporate who said it’s out of warranty but will have a supervisor call my on December 16,2025 It has not been inspected by police or insurance, it’s the only car I have to drive not sure how police are going to respond to that. No warning what’s so ever. I did try spraying WD40 just in case something was stuck.

NHTSA ID

11705233

Incident

Dec 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen EOS. The contact stated that while operating, a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Later, while operating the vehicle, the front driver's side seat became extremely hot, causing the driver's back and legs to become burned. The contact indicated that the burn injuries would later require medical treatment. The contact indicated that the sweater worn was also charred, and a small burn hole was present in the sweater. The contact discovered a burn hole and exposed heater filament on the back section of the front driver's seat and a burnt section on the seat cushion of the driver's seat. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the seat temperature had reached 163 degrees while the seat heater was activated. The contact was advised that the seat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and authorized to have the back section of the seat replaced. The back section of the seat was replaced the bottom section of the seat was not replaced. The dealer also advised that the front passenger side seat had experienced the same overheating failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11682476

Incident

Feb 21, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

I have the RNS510 radio which the NHTSA has received concerns about and there are several Tec Bulletins in regards to the radio not functioning properly. When this radio goes out due to the need of over priced software update, we loose our Bluetooth and backup cameras! Backup camera we installed so the drive could make sure they were not running over any small children on the ground and when that element fails and it falls on deaf ears here to make them fix that and their know faulty cameras, is the NHTSA going to take responsibility for the dead child that wasn’t yours so you would be looking as closely for one but if the know faulty system actually worked that child had a better chance of being alive because you can see your surroundings. There is a Service bulletin supporting the pictures below. Mine just stopped loading tried to upload the software that I bought from the dealership and bricked the whole system!! It will now drain my battery if the fuse is in. Since this has been neglected to be addressed for many years, I am just wondering who within the NHTSA is being paid off by VW and maybe we need to start writing our representatives hoping for a change because clearly VW knows it’s a problem and it’s been reported.

NHTSA ID

11654642

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

We have the Xenon headlights, which requires us to have headlight washers on our cars due to safety issue for the other drivers on the road so they don’t get blinded, who’s is great if 1) they worked most of the time 2) people did not start pulling the fuse or discontinuing the hose so it hit the ground. See Volkswagen has a know issue, that when they pop out to spray the headlights, they are known to break the cover! This in turn leaves the sprayer exposed to the elements to get clogged and not work, owners to get mad because they just break again after replaced (reason why they get disconnected) and the cost is not cheap to replace, the actual part is not bad the problem is, it’s primed grey and you have to get it painted which cost over $100. If you do a quick search over this you will see tons of complaints and the dealership is well aware of the issues, one lady had hers replaced under warranty and they said the sprayer was not in the right place. I could agree with that seeing as my windshield also gets sprayed! There were no warnings, we did not think ours even worked we had the car almost a year the first time they ever worked!! Still not sure what made them work exactly.

NHTSA ID

11563134

Incident

Sep 26, 2023

1) The flip up backup camera, yes it is available for inspection. I do have intentions to try and fix it like all the others unless asked to wait. 2) we bought a car with a backup camera for the safety of our 19 year old and others around her after she has crashed her car going fwd, we would hate for her to miss something backwards since she is only 4’10’ 3) yes it has been confirmed by an independent service center, certified by Volkswagen. They confirmed that the wires have broken and a new camera is needed. This is a very common issue. 4) no the component has not been inspected. From reading other ppls comments they do not assist. They have a radio firm up date and they want you to pay for that to fix the glitches. 5) honestly we just purchased the car and when we test drive it the backup sensor showed three dashes, it was turned on to that setting so we have no clue until we tried to change it and had it checked out. But from what I have read this has been going on for years. Not sure when they first started. You can clearly see the red broke off in the black part and while taking the pictures it so fragile another wire broke. It’s not like you can just replace a cable going into the camera like the newer ones.

NHTSA ID

11485586

Incident

Aug 8, 2022

The clockspring on the car went out. This mean all steering wheel controls don’t work, but more importantly, the air bags do not work either. We were told by the dealer the clocksprings are on back order and have been since November 2021. There are 8500 already on back order. We were told it could be 6 months to a year before the part is available. Dealership says VW won’t allow them to do loaners, VW says it’s up to the dealership. I’m the meantime, my 24 year old is driving around with no air bags.

NHTSA ID

11475803

Incident

Jul 19, 2022

Mid December 2021 the airbag light displayed and all functions on steering wheel quit working to include horn, cruise control, and all other buttons that interface with phone, radio and computer. After daughter returned from college 1st week of February 2022 was the first date available and is when the vehicle was seen by Volkswagen of Little Rock. Service Manager [XXX] reported the Clockspring was faulty and this is a manufacturer defect that is covered fully by Volkswagen, however, the Clockspring has been on back order since February and after calling every 2 weeks and calling again yesterday, 17 June 2022, with still no end on sight, I am filing this formal complaint. My college age daughter drives this vehicle with no horn and no driver airbag. As a retired US Army Veteran, I am all too familiar with risk assessment and mitigation and believe my daughter should not have to continue driving an unsafe vehicle. Additionally, we did not pay hard earned money to have a faulty and unreliable car and unsatisfactory driving experience. We either want a vehicle replacement or for Volkswagen to make good on their promise to fix the problem. Respectfully, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11469910

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.

Checking engine oil level.

Reprogramming Control Module process

Engine missfire diagnostic aid

Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants

Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting