Research · Subcompact Cars

2013 Volkswagen EosRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Eos. Most complaints involve air bags (19) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2018
Owner complaints
26
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Unknown or other

Free remedy

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.

Unknown or otherReported May 16, 2018NHTSA 18V329000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bagsReported Mar 6, 2018NHTSA 18V148000

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

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 bagsReported Feb 10, 2016NHTSA 16V078000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2016 – May 2023
  1. Air bags19
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Engine3
  4. Steering1
  5. Power train1
  6. Suspension1
  7. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Eos model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200740
200847
200984
201069
201118
201294
201326
201441
20153
20164
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

19 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Eos. The contact stated while having a routine check at the dealer, the mechanic informed the contact that the horn was not functioning and that the clockspring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the clockspring needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty or recall. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 108,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11521753

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen Eos. The contact stated that while driving, the heater inside the front passenger seat erroneously activated and malfunctioned causing the seat to burn which also caused a burn to the bottom of the front passenger seat. There was a hole on the front passenger side seat and during the incident, it burned through the passenger's undergarments and jeans causing his burn injuries. Medical treatment was not provided due to the injured passenger not being able to sit and was being treated at home. During the incident, a burning odor was present inside the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and the electrical wire to the seat was deactivated. The cause of the failure was not determined. A fire report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2021Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11422905

Engine

3 reports
“WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MILES PER HOUR, VEHICLE SHIFTED ITSELF TO NEUTRAL... SLOWLY CHANGED LANES TO EMERGENCY LANE AND CAME TO A HAULT. PLACED CAR ON PARK TESTED REVERSE AND IT WORKED...PLACE ON DRIVE AND CAR DROVE ON... A VW MECHANIC TELS ME IT COULD BE A TRANSMISION MULTISWITCH PROBLEM; DO YOU HAVE HISTORY OR RECORD OF SUCH SCARY PROBLEM WITH EOS???”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2018Power train, EngineODI 11139495
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Eos
Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$3,100354
  • Eos
    Auto (AM-S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Volkswagen Eos as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7659
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Eos questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Eos have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Volkswagen Eos problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (19), electrical system (4), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Volkswagen Eos get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Volkswagen Eos at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026