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2012 Volkswagen Eos

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Volkswagen Eos
Pictured: 2006 Volkswagen EOS Sport TDi 2.0 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
Comfortline/Highline 4dr Convertible FWD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 22 city / 30 hwy
Length
173.6 in
Curb weight
3,505 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2012 subcompact car (21.7 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Volkswagen Eos is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 174 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,505 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 15% better than the 2012 subcompact car average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Eos — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Eos →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Comfortline/Highline 4dr Convertible FWD173.6 in70.5 in56.7 in101.6 in61 / 60.2 in3,505 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Eos2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25+15%$3,300355
Spend $4,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.7 MPG2012 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Volkswagen Eos.

Similar 2012 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Volkswagen Eos (this car)25 MPGNot rated4
2012 Toyota Corolla29 MPGNot rated5
2012 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated4
2012 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated0
2012 Toyota Prius50 MPGNot rated7
2012 Hyundai Elantra32 MPGNot rated5
2012 Ford Focus32 MPGNot rated10

Recalls (4)

Unknown Or Other · May 16, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · 252 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags › Frontal · Aug 4, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Volkswagen Eos is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

91Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
59,901 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags64
Engine13
Unknown Or Other6
Electrical System6
Steering5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Power Train3
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/09: 217/10: 118/02: 118/03: 218/06: 118/07: 418/08: 318/09: 318/10: 118/11: 119/01: 219/10: 219/11: 121/03: 121/05: 121/08: 122/01: 122/02: 122/09: 124/05: 125/01: 125/02: 125/03: 126/03: 117/0918/0318/0818/1119/1121/0822/0925/02max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Volkswagen Eos buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 64 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 13 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 59,901 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Eos. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Eos years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2016 Eos25174 inNot rated24
2015 Eos25173.6 inNot rated23
2014 Eos25173.6 inNot rated340
2013 Eos25173.6 inNot rated426
2011 Eos25173.6 inNot rated216
2010 Eos25173.6 inNot rated264
2009 Eos25173.6 inNot rated167
2008 Eos24173.6 inNot rated015
2007 Eos24173.6 inNot rated023

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →