AI Damage2013 Volkswagen EOS: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Volkswagen EOS filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 26
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 73% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 19 complaints (73% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (15% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (4% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (4% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 26 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
I pressed the steering wheel to activate the HORN. The HORN did not work. [dealer] dealer (Valenti VW, Watertown, CT) after 1.5 hours determined the the spring on the steering wheel that activates the horn and possibly the airbag is broken. The spring is broken and is back ordered since 12/20/2021.
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.
In normal driving, I turned steering wheel to pull into a parking space and there was a snap in the steering wheel. This sound was the electrical connection to the steering wheel breaking away. I lost key functions from the steering wheel including the airbag, horn, and steering mounted controls.
The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the horn failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to hamilton volkswagen (2200 nj-33, hamilton square, [ZIP], [phone]0) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring failed. The clockspring was not replaced.
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...
While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost power and shifted into neutral. Also, the service vehicle warning indicator illuminated. The contact's diagnostic trouble code reader provided code: u0103. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen eos. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,316 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the EOS has 39 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 26, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen EOS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 26. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (4%), rear-view camera (4%), A/C or heater (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Volkswagen EOS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Volkswagen EOS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.