VehicleVerdict

2009 Volkswagen Eos problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 123 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Eos year — the 2009 model ranks #1 of 10 Eos years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 36 reports (29% of the total).

123

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Eos years?

Eos NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted123 complaints2007: 54 complaints2008: 62 complaints2009: 123 complaints2010: 84 complaints2011: 21 complaints2012: 114 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 47 complaints2015: 7 complaints2016: 6 complaints
Eos NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eos years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Volkswagen Eos problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission3629%
Electrical System2722%
Brakes2218%
Engine1411%
Speed Control54%
Fuel System54%
Airbags43%
Other43%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Body & Structure22%
Steering11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Eos have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V913000Electrical SystemDecember 20, 2016 · 135,683 units

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta A5 Sedan, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen, Eos, GTI, Rabbit and Audi A3 vehicles, and 2010 Volkswagen Golf A6 vehicles. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) control unit may fail during ABS or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activation, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control.

Consequence

A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control module software to improve the module's self-testing abilities. Any module that fails the new diagnostic test will be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

09V333000TransmissionAugust 20, 2009 · 16,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 3, 2010 · crash

“I PURCHASED MY 2009 VW EOS FROM A DEALERISHIP "AS-IS" AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MAF SENSOR, THROTTLEBODY HAD TO BE SERVICED WITH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING. OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE ONTO THE WATER PUMP. NOW, THE ABS AND TRACTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY MESSED UP AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 14, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN EOS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS THEN T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 12, 2017 · crash

“I PURCHASED MY 2009 VW EOS FROM A DEALERISHIP "AS-IS" AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MAF SENSOR, THROTTLEBODY HAD TO BE SERVICED WITH IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING. OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE ONTO THE WATER PUMP. NOW, THE ABS AND TRACTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY MESSED UP AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 14, 2016 · crash

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAY I HAVE A FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IF NOT THE VEHICLE MAY/WILL STALL. THIS SAME PART WAS RECALLED IN THE 2006-2008 MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE AND SEVERAL OTHERS. ARE THE 2009 MODELS AFFECTED? THE VEHICLE HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 26, 2012

2009 Volkswagen Eos — common questions

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Eos reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 123 complaints put the 2009 model at #1 of 10 Eos years. It is one of the Eos years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Eos problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (36 complaints), electrical system (27 complaints), brakes (22 complaints).

Does the 2009 Volkswagen Eos have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Volkswagen Eos. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Volkswagen Eos under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Eos years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Eos years to avoid are 2009, 2012, 2010, 2014, 2013, 2011. The cleanest record among Eos years belongs to 2016.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.