2008 Volkswagen EOS Problems
Compared with other Volkswagen EOS years
Typical for this model
51/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Volkswagen EOS year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 24 of its 47 complaints were filed by the end of 2010.
- Most reported part: Transmission and drivetrain (26 complaints, median 8,922 mi).
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 47filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 16,000miles, 40 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Volkswagen EOS (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen EOS. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 26 complaints (55% of the total), followed by electrical system (7) and body and structure (7). 40 of the complaints include a mileage, and 65% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 16,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 512 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 111 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 5 Volkswagen EOS model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 51 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system7 15%
- Body and structure7 15%
- Engine5 11%
- Other or unknown3 6.4%
- Tires3 6.4%
- Air bags1 2.1%
- Brakes1 2.1%
- Engine cooling1 2.1%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “I was driving my car on a local city street and halfway through a turn all of a sudden it went into neutral on it's own, all the gears on the dash started flashing (the park, reverse, and drive) they started flashing on and off as my transmission went haywire. I had to pull over and avoid being hit as I had no control over my speed, I could not accelerate. The engine was racing and there was no forward motion at all. My car has a dsg (direct shift gearbox).”
NHTSA complaint #11025198, filed 2017-09, 82,000 milesElectrical system: “I don't think a $38,000 car that is only 3 years old should leak rain in it all the time and the convertible top not work properly - it has been in the shop 5 times in the last 2 months and is currently in the shop fixing a problem that was suppose to be fixed last friday. Volkswagen dealership service department mechanic even told me that 98% of EOS leak rain inside them and the convertible tops don't work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10434168, filed 2011-11, 328 milesBody and structure: “I own a Volkswagen EOS. From the start my car has had a water leak issue. I've taken it to the service center affiliated with the dealership where I purchased my car countless times in order to have the issue repaired. Each time I do, they tell me it's repaired & I come to find out the next time it rains, snows or goes through a car wash, that the leaking has not been repaired. The leak has even caused technical issues with the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10457451, filed 2012-05, 100 milesEngine: “Upon waiting for the traffic light to change to green, I depressed the accelerator and within seconds, I heard a low boom and then the engine power cut out. I coasted to the side of the road and at that point was no longer able to start the car. I was at that point, forced to have it towed to the nearest dealership. I was notified that the camshaft timing chain had snapped.”
NHTSA complaint #11045103, filed 2017-11, 198,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
65% of the 40 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 4,800 and 72,245 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2008 Volkswagen EOS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eos FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 21 | 30 | 24 | $3,400 |
| Eos FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,400 |
| Eos FWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,750 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Volkswagen EOS in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 512 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10244545Oct 30, 2023Engine. VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10243299Sep 28, 2023Equipment. VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10242897Sep 7, 2023Equipment. Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update Tool terminology
- 10242894Sep 5, 2023Equipment. Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Electrical system. Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10239653Jul 10, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Electrical system. Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Electrical system. Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
Other model years of the Volkswagen EOS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 40 | 17,000 | 3 | — | 25 | 61 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 26 | 29,750 | 4 | — | 25 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 94 | 57,000 | 4 | — | 25 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 18 | 50,500 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 2010 | 69 | 63,000 | 2 | — | 25 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 84 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 25 | 70 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 47 | 16,000 | 0 | — | 24 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 40 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Volkswagen EOS model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Volkswagen EOS have?
NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen EOS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Volkswagen EOS is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 26 complaints (55% of the total), followed by electrical system with 7.
Has the 2008 Volkswagen EOS been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen EOS get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Volkswagen EOS (Eos, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Volkswagen EOS reported?
Among the 40 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 16,000 miles and the middle half falls between 4,800 and 72,245 miles; 65% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.