Inquiries
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Volkswagen Eos airbags problems
moderate 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 29 airbags complaints filed for the 2014 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
Owners have filed 29 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 7 model years of Volkswagen Eos in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 2014 VW Eos has been subject to Takata driver frontal airbag recalls (campaigns 16V078000 and 18V148000) since at least 2016. The core failure: Takata-supplied airbag components are deemed unsafe, but replacement parts have been unavailable for months to years. Owners report placing their cars on dealer waiting lists with no ETAs and receiving letters stating the defect could cause serious injury or death—yet VW cannot tell them when, or if, the repair will happen.
Multiple owners also report actual clockspring failures disabling the horn, cruise control, and steering-wheel buttons alongside the driver airbag. Dealers confirmed the clockspring as a manufacturer defect covered under warranty, but parts remain on back order indefinitely, with no solutions offered.
VW and dealers have refused loaner vehicles, lease buybacks, or reimbursement, directing owners to keep driving recalled vehicles or to source parts themselves from eBay and hire independent shops. Some owners were not notified of the recall at all until they traded or returned their vehicles. After 5+ years, owners continue reporting parts unavailability, dealer scheduling refusals, and corporate inaction. Several narratives document calls every 2 weeks over 4+ months with no resolution.
Same Volkswagen Eos airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Driver Frontal Airbag – Parts Unavailability (Recall 16V078000 / 18V148000)
Takata-supplied driver frontal airbags subject to NHTSA recalls 16V078000 and 18V148000. The core complaint across 25+ narratives: recall parts remain unavailable from dealers or Volkswagen for months or years after recall notice issued. Owners placed on waiting lists with no ETAs. VW states it has no control over delivery timelines and cannot offer loaner vehicles, alternative transportation, lease termination, or buyback.
When: Recall notices issued between 2016–2022; part shortages persisted across the entire reporting window. One owner waited over 6 months (narrative #10); another over 4 months with 4,000+ units on national back order (narrative #5); one narrative mentions potential 6-year wait window (narrative #3).
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Unable to schedule repair appointment; No ETA provided by dealer or manufacturer; Parts listed as on back order indefinitely; Owner anxiety about safety while driving
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 16V078000, NHTSA Campaign 18V148000
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring component (part of airbag system) on back order. One narrative mentions 4,000+ units on national back order; another states parts unavailable for 6+ months. Some dealers suggested owners source parts from eBay and hire independent mechanics—advice rejected by owners as unsafe and inappropriate for a safety recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volkswagen issued Takata recall campaigns 16V078000 and 18V148000. However, VW states it cannot control parts availability from Takata supplier, cannot provide firm repair dates, will not offer loaner vehicles, lease termination, buyback, or compensation. Some dealers refused to schedule appointments or put owners on contact lists. Corporate VW advised one owner to drive 80+ miles for a repair. One narrative notes VW claimed under extended warranty but part remains unavailable.
Clockspring Failure – Driver Airbag and Steering Controls Inoperative
Clockspring device failed or became faulty, disabling driver-side airbag and all steering-wheel-mounted controls (horn, cruise control, phone/radio/climate buttons). Two narratives report actual failures diagnosed at dealerships; additional narratives reference clockspring as the recalled/defective component. Failure prevents horn operation and driver airbag deployment—both critical safety functions.
When: Narrative #2 reports failure on January 17, 2022. Narrative #8 reports failure January 19, 2022 (confirmed as defect on arrival). Narratives #5, #8 reference clockspring as known recurring issue across Jetta and Eos model years.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light displayed; Horn non-functional; Cruise control non-functional; Steering wheel buttons (phone, radio, climate) non-functional; Driver airbag inoperative or non-deployable
Codes mentioned: Clockspring defect (manufacturer-acknowledged)
Repairs/costs cited: Clockspring replacement part identified as faulty by dealers (Alexandria VA dealer, Little Rock VW). Parts confirmed under extended manufacturer warranty. However, parts unavailable and no ETA provided. One owner reported being asked to source part from eBay and hire independent mechanic—request declined.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volkswagen acknowledged clockspring as manufacturer defect fully covered under extended warranty (narratives #2, #8). However, parts remained on indefinite back order despite dealer follow-up every 2 weeks over 4+ months (narrative #2, June 2022). VW corporate had no solution.
Takata Airbag Recall Notification Failures
Multiple owners report they did not receive recall notification letters from Volkswagen or their dealers, or learned of the recall only through third parties (other dealers, NHTSA). One owner learned only when trading the vehicle in and was told the car had negative value due to unresolved airbag recall.
When: Notifications expected around 2016 (Campaigns 16V078000, 18V148000); delays reported through 2022.
Symptoms owners cite: No recall notification letter received from VW or dealer; Owner unaware of recall until dealer or third party informed them; Lease end or trade-in revealed recall issue owner did not know about
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action documented for notification gap. Owners questioned VW's responsibility to communicate recall danger to customers.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
Takata recall. No solution available and no indication of timing for solution. Car can not be sold!
"takata recall" - I did not receive any communication from volkwagen or my car dealer, darcars Volkswagen of silver spring, md. I only learned about this recall when I approached another dealer about using my leased eos (returning 6 months early) for the lease of a GMC vehicle. That dealer is the one who told me about the airbags recall and told me they the value of my car, which otherwise is…
"takata recall" my 2014 vw eos has had 2 major leaks that resulted in water standing in the car. I have had to use a green machine to vacuum out the water twice. The humidly was so high and the temperature in the summer resulted in 100% humidity in the car. The dealer finally got the leaks fixed and vw replaced the carpets. I am still worried about the air bags and vw will do nothing, the…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
2014 Volkswagen eos. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to repair driver frontal airbag recall notice. *smd
[xxx] not listed on your recall list but was required. Takata airbag was replaced by vw under recall. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'*jb
Takata recall. I am concerned about injury in the event the airbag deploys and that takata has not provided a remedy to my dealer southern Volkswagen in chesapeake, virginia.
I am getting no where with the manufacturer I called spoke to repetitive on the passenger air bag. I requested what airbag product. They did not know. Please contact me immediately. [xxx]. My name [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen eos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v148000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over three months ago. The dealer (antelope valley Volkswagen, 39050…
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Volkswagen Eos?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 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 29 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 14,330 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/2014/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.