Buying either a new car or a used car is a huge financial investment, so there are plenty of things you need to consider before you commit. How it looks and performs is usually at the top of the list, but there’s one important factor that many people overlook: reliability. After all, is it worth it to buy a car that can go from 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds if it breaks down whenever you’re out on the road?

If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’ve been looking into the Volkswagen Eos. An attractive convertible option, it certainly has a lot going for it, but what does Volkswagen Eos reliability look like? To help you make a decision on whether to make the purchase, we’ve put together this helpful guide covering reliability rankings, common mechanical problems, associated repair costs, and more.

And if you already own a Volkswagen Eos, don’t worry. We’ll also go over how you can protect your vehicle (and your wallet) from unexpected component failure with an extended auto warranty (also known as a vehicle service contract). Keep reading for everything you need to know.

Common Mechanical Problems with the Volkswagen Eos

According to Car Complaints, over its 11 model years, Eos owners have logged 76 issues, with the 2008 model having the most overall. The 2008 model is also considered the worst model year for the cost of repairs and the average mileage when problems occur. On RepairPal, the Eos has a reliability rating score of 3 out of 5, which puts it in the objectively poor position of 35th out of 36 compact cars.

For a better understanding of how bad things can get, let’s take a look at some of the common issues and mechanical problems experienced by 2008 Eos owners.

• Exterior accessories problems: The most common exterior accessory problem is with the convertible top, which has a habit of acting up. In one extreme case, an NHTSA report states that an owner got their fingers trapped in the trunk because they thought it was malfunctioning when it was, in fact, open slightly because the hard top can take a while to fold away.
• Body/paint problems: There are multiple complaints of Volkswagen Eos cars leaking rain between the roof and the front window. Again, this is due to the convertible top, which appears to have been designed poorly on some models. One owner stated that their top failed to open fully one day and only opened halfway the next, with them unable to close it at all after that.
• Engine problems: Some complaints claim that the Volkswagen Eos excessively consumes oil, sometimes not even triggering the dashboard light when it’s completely run out. As a result, an owner from Derby, CT, said their Eos suffered complete engine failure at the 78,000-mile mark, costing them over $3,000 to repair.
• Electrical problems: While it seems to be rarer than other issues, some owners have experienced the electric windows going up and down of their own accord while the car is in drive, creating a dangerous distraction.

Repair Costs Associated with the VW Eos

So, how much can you expect to pay to repair your Volkswagen EOS should it break down? The average annual maintenance cost for an Eos is $824 per year, which isn’t exactly cheap. But looking at a range of common repair and inspection estimates, we can see that some jobs will set you back that much on their own:

• A/C receiver and drier assembly replacement: $330 – $444
• Knock sensor replacement: $330 – $444
• Engine oil pan replacement: $452 – $586
• Throttle body replacement: $878 – $956
• Reemplazo de la unidad de envío del nivel de combustible: $602 – $997
• Anti-lock brake system inspection: $694 – $732
• HVAC air door actuator replacement: $856 – $965
• Noise diagnosis: $132 – $166
• No start diagnosis: $132 – $166
• Wheel replacement: $751 – $764

Owner Complaints and Consumer Feedback

The considerable number of complaints relating to the Volkswagen Eos doesn’t exactly do a lot to instill confidence in its reliability. Online, the sentiment from owners is frustration. The overwhelming message is that while they love the car, it can be miserable to repair and maintain:

2008 Volkswagen Eos Owner in Sarasota, FL

“I have had many problems with my 2008 EOS. I had to replace the air conditioning compressor, both window mechanisms, the convertible roof twice, and now the sunroof is broken and they want $2300 to fix it. It is costing me WAY too much money to repair problems that VW should handle since they built an inferior car.”

2009 Volkswagen Eos Owner in Streetsboro, OH

“There has been an extensive amount of work that has gone into this car that is supposed to be one of the best made cars and that can run for 200,000 miles or more. The electrical dashboard needed to be replaced, the engine needed to be replaced along with other issues and problems that had to be fixed.” (Nathalie, VA

2012 Volkswagen Eos Komfort Owner in Nathalie, VA

“Car has a delay of accelerating from a stop, and shimmies or vibrates as it gains speed. Repair shop said that it is a ticking time bomb for timing chain and tensioner which will cost $1500-2000 to fix. Currently nervous to drive it because of not wanting it to break while driving and do further damage to engine and valves.”

2015 Volkswagen Eos Owner in Los Angeles, CA

“I was driving down the freeway at about 4:00 pm in the afternoon when my sunroof suddenly shattered. I was not near an overpass so nothing could have fallen on it. It was not an overly warm day so I don’t think it was the heat. I can only conclude that it spontaneously exploded.”

Protecting Your Volkswagen Eos

If you’re still tempted by the Eos despite the less-than-favorable customer feedback, it’s wise to defend your finances with some form of protection plan. The best way to do this is with an extended car warranty, but with the Eos being discontinued in 2016, you’ll no longer qualify for Volkswagen’s coverage as the car’s original warranty needs to be active. That’s no big deal, luckily, as there are plenty of third-party providers who will be more than happy to set you up with a vehicle service contract — and Endurance is America’s most trusted.

With an Plan de protección automática Endurance in place, you can drive with confidence, knowing that should a breakdown occur, you’ll be well looked after. If a covered component fails unexpectedly, you can take your car to the certified auto shop or dealership of your choice, and we’ll foot the repair bill. All you need to pay is your deductible.

We understand that no two drivers are the same, so we offer a wide range of programs with almost everyone in mind. Whether you only use your vehicle to drive to work, have a lot of miles on the clock, or even if you own a luxury car, we’ll have something to suit your needs. And on the off chance we don’t, our advisors can tailor a bespoke plan just for you.

As well as being one of the highest-rated vehicle service contract providers in the country, we offer some of the best car benefits, too. Every single Endurance plan comes with a suite of standard perks, including Asistencia en carretera 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. If that wasn’t enough bang for your buck, new Endurance customers also get a year’s access to our Beneficios de élite, which adds on up to four tire repairs or replacements annually, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1000 in total loss protection.*

With most Eos owners experiencing engine and electrical issues, you’ll be glad to know that Endurance has options that cover many of the components associated with both. For maximum protection, however, we recommend Endurance Supreme, which looks out for your engine, transmission, A/C, fuel system, electrical, seals and gaskets, cooling system, transfer case, drive axle, and much more.

Long-Term Reliability: How Does the Eos Hold Up?

One of the most notable things about the Volkswagen Eos is that not only are repairs frequent, but significant issues appear to happen quite early into the car’s lifecycle. To make matters worse, a number of accounts state that problems are recurring. Some of these can even end up being catastrophic. For example, oil overconsumption doesn’t just damage the engine—it can render it completely inoperable.

While all components fail eventually, the best way to prevent them from doing so prematurely is surely preventative maintenance. Some of the more involved jobs are better left to a professional mechanic, but there are some DIY maintenance tasks you can try yourself.

1. Inspect tire pressure and tread: Tires wear down over time, which can lead to them losing their grip on the road. Likewise, if your tires aren’t the correct PSI, traction can be affected. In the worst-case scenario, it could even cause a blowout.
2. Check your fluids: A particularly important one for the Volkswagen Eos, staying on top of fluid levels can prevent damage to the associated components. For example, checking your oil levels once a month will allow you to gauge whether your engine is consuming too much—and give you enough time to top it up before damage occurs.
3. Change your spark plugs: It’s recommended that you replace your vehicle’s spark plugs every 30,000 miles or so. Should they fail, you won’t be able to start your engine again, leaving you stranded.
4. Keep your car clean: Not only does regularly cleaning your car keep it looking great, but it prevents damage too. Dirt and grime can damage sensitive sensors as well as causing corrosion on body panels. It’s recommended you wash your car once every two weeks, but be careful not to do it too often as this can result in “spider webbing”.

Should You Buy a Volkswagen Eos? Weighing the Pros and Cons

If you still aren’t sure whether you want to go through the car buying process for a Volkswagen Eos, quickly review the pros and cons:

Volkswagen Eos pros:

• Sleek design
• Hard-top convertible roof
• Rigid build for a smooth ride
• Good fuel efficiency (high MPG)
• Iconic automaker

Volkswagen Eos cons:

• Lots of complaints logged overall
• Expensive to repair
• Low reliability
• Many issues occur early in the car’s life
• Some are recurring
• Oil overconsumption can lead to total engine failure.

Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. The compact two-door convertible is easy on the eyes and can be found on the used market for a reasonable price, but there are too many complaints from owners to ignore. If you do decide to bite the bullet, it’s highly recommended that you invest in a vehicle service contract to protect yourself from the cost of potential repairs.

Get Auto Protection for Your Eos

Owning an unreliable car isn’t much fun, and those regular repairs can set you back hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars per year. An extended warranty or vehicle service contract is the reassurance Volkswagen Eos owners need, and Endurance is here to help.

If you’re interested in protecting yourself from the ever-rising cost of car ownership, contact our award-winning team of advisors at (800) 253-8203 o Solicite una cotización GRATIS. Alternatively, you can shop our eStore to see your plan recommendations and pricing now.

If you’d like to read articles on other unreliable vehicles to watch out for, preventative maintenance, common recalls for airbags or other components, and other expertly written topics, make sure to check out our blog.