Inquiries
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Volkswagen Eos airbags problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 16 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Eos, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,498 Volkswagen owners in the State of Massachusetts on March 13, 2023.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 363 Volkswagen owners in the State of New Mexico on March 13, 2023.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,414 Volkswagen owners in the State of Colorado on February 13, 2023.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Eos airbag story is dominated by a parts-supply crisis tied to the Takata inflator recalls. From 2016 through 2018, owners received multiple NHTSA recall notices for campaigns 15V483000, 16V078000, and 18V148000, but dealerships nationwide—from Ohio to Indiana to New Jersey to Texas—could not obtain replacement inflator kits. Owners reported waiting six months or longer with no estimated completion date. Some dealers said the manufacturer had stopped production entirely. The delay was classified as a parts distribution disconnect. No actual airbag failures were reported by these owners, but they expressed frustration at being told their vehicle was unsafe while unable to schedule the recall repair.
One owner with 904,500 miles experienced a genuine failure: the airbag warning light came on and the horn died, diagnosed as a clockspring fault. The dealer refused to replace it, claiming warranty coverage had already been used.
Separately, an owner had a technician complete the Takata recall service in October 2018, only to discover the horn stopped working days later. The dealership blamed failed horn-circuit signal wiring and quoted $598 for a full airbag replacement. The owner located recall documentation explicitly warning technicians not to pull on the horn switch pigtail wire—the violation of which can damage the horn circuit—suggesting the technician made an installation error during recall work.
Same Volkswagen Eos airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator recall — parts unavailability
Owner received multiple NHTSA recall notifications (campaigns 15V483000, 16V078000, 18V148000) for Takata airbag inflators but dealers and manufacturer could not supply replacement parts within reasonable timeframe. Some owners reported waiting over 6 months with no estimated delivery date. Manufacturers stated parts were not available or production had halted.
When: 2016–2018; complaints filed while recall was still open
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but repair could not be scheduled; Dealer unable to provide parts or completion timeline; Vehicle remained unrepaired for extended periods despite safety concern notification
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts (inflator kits) unavailable from dealer or manufacturer; no repair completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 15V483000, 16V078000, 18V148000 (Takata airbag inflator recalls); no parts supplied to dealers in timely manner
Clockspring failure with airbag warning light
One owner reported airbag warning indicator illuminated and horn failure, diagnosed as clockspring failure. Manufacturer claimed clockspring had already been replaced under warranty but did not complete the repair.
When: 904,502 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning indicator illuminated; Horn inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring diagnosed as failed; not replaced. Manufacturer refused repair, stating it was already replaced under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Refused repair claim under warranty
Horn circuit damage during recall service
After technician completed Takata recall airbag inflator installation in October 2018, owner discovered horn no longer functioned. Dealership diagnosed a failed signal from airbag brackets to horn circuit and demanded $598 to replace entire airbag, claiming horn issue not covered under warranty. Owner found recall documentation warning against improper handling of horn switch feed pigtail wire, suggesting technician error during recall work.
When: October 2018 after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Horn failure immediately after recall airbag inflator installation; Airbag warning light was off, so dealership claimed airbag itself was unaffected
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $598 pre-tax to replace entire airbag assembly due to horn circuit fault; customer refused and contested as installation error
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall 16V078000 included explicit warnings against pulling on horn switch pigtail wire to avoid damage to horn switch membrane; recall documentation suggested service error may have caused damage
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall on 10/19/18 I took my car to the dealership so that they could install the new airbag inflator kit due to the recall. A few days later I noticed my horn was not working. I returned to the dealership on 11/9/18 only to be told I need to replace the entire airbag because the brackets connecting to the airbag are not sending a good signal to the horn. However I went online and one…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen eos. 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, nj 08690, 609-587-76000) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring failed. The clockspring was not replaced. The manufacturer stated that the clockspring was already replaced under…
Takata recall we have received several notices for the past year that our airbags need replacement and that it is dangerous to drive as is. However, every time we call the vw dealer they tell me they don't have parts. Most recently I was told that right now parts are not being made. We need to use this vehicle. What are our options?
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v148000 (air bags). Gurley leep automotive group (5302 grape rd, mishawaka, in 46545, 1-888-506-1552) and gurley leep Volkswagen (4004 north grape road mishawaka, in 46545, 1-888-506-1552) confirmed that the part was unavailable and were waiting on the manufacturer. The…
Takata recall it has been over 6 months and dealer says they still do not know when repair can be made. We paid over 30 thousand dollars for this car brand new and it is not safe to drive. Is the reason "my government" is not forcing the issue with the car companies because they donate so much money to elections?
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagon eos. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags) was received in february of 2016. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v483000 (air bags) and 16v078000 (air bags), but the parts were not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The manufacturer was unable to provide an estimated date for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced failure. Parts…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called midwestern auto group dealer on 6335 perimeter loop rd, dublin oh 43017 and was informed the…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Volkswagen Eos?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Eos?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 27,704 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Volkswagen/Eos.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.