Research · Subcompact Cars

2014 Volkswagen EosRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2014 Volkswagen Eos. Most complaints involve air bags (31) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2018
Owner complaints
41
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags31
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Visibility/wiper2
  4. Forward collision avoidance2
  5. Power train2
  6. Seat belts1
  7. Steering1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Visibility1

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
0
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

31 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2022Steering, Air bagsODI 11475803

Electrical system

5 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11774152

Visibility/wiper

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2024Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11563134
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 2014 Volkswagen Eos as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 8598
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

2014 Eos questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Eos have?

3 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 2014 Volkswagen Eos problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (31), electrical system (5), visibility/wiper (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Volkswagen Eos get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Volkswagen Eos at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026