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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.
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.
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:
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:
“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.”
“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
“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.”
“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.”
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 Endurance auto protection plan 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 24/7 roadside assistance (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 Elite Benefits, 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.
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.
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:
Volkswagen Eos cons:
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.
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 or request a FREE quote. 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.
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By clicking the button, you consent to Endurance using automated technology to call, email, and text you using the contact info above, including your wireless number, if provided, regarding auto protection or, in California, mechanical breakdown insurance. You also agree to the Endurance Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Consent is not a condition of purchase, and you can withdraw consent at any time. Message and data rates may apply.
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Chris has been covering the automotive industry and topics ranging from road trips to driverless car technology for around 10 years. His own preference is for retro 4x4s that will stand up to a muddy field in the country.