repaired · 2018 Q2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. A loss of vehicle control can increase the risk of a crash.
2009 Volkswagen EOSProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 84 owner complaints about the 2009 Volkswagen EOS, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-913 the manufacturer reports only 43% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 21, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Volkswagen EOS has problems
84 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
36Power train1 crash/fire/injury
22Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
15Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
13Engine1 crash/fire/injury
12Electronic stability control (ESC)3 crash/fire/injury
5Fuel/propulsion system
5Vehicle speed control
4Air bags
2Structure
55 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 36 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 22 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 1 |
| Engine | 13 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 12 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 5 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2009 Volkswagen EOS recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THE ABRUPT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
55kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 33 power train complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.
12under 30k miles25under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other EOS year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the EOS median. How we score
'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Volkswagen EOS safety ratings
2009 Volkswagen Eos Convertible w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Volkswagen EOS, and the recalls they led to.
- VEHICLE STALL/LOSS MOTIVE POWERLed to recall 09V-333
In owners' words
What EOS owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While in slow traffic and transmission in Drive position, if I slow down or stop for traffic in front of me or a red light, the transmission does not engage again when given acceleration. I have shut the car off and restarted again, sometimes more than once to get it to engage and get me out of…
I slowly at 5mph went over a bump and my car went automatically into neutral, all of the P R N D S lights on the dash started blinking and the car just kept revving when I tried to put it into gear. I had the car towed to the dealership and it is currently there. I looked on Kelly Blue Book and saw…
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL ON IT'S OWN. FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BECAUSE OF THE NEUTRAL SHIFT THERE IS NO POWER. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE CAR.
Own a 2009 EOS?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.