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2012 Volkswagen Eos

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Eos.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Volkswagen Eos is a passenger car featuring a folding hardtop convertible configuration built on Volkswagen's established platform architecture, powered by a turbocharged engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 22 city, 30 highway, and 25 combined mpg, with an oil capacity of 4.9 quarts accepting 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 viscosity grades. This model year represents the peak of the Eos production run's complaint history, tallying 94 total owner complaints with air bags as the leading concern area alongside four associated recalls, making it the most problematic year across the model's 2007-2016 lifespan by a wide margin—the lowest recorded complaints of just 3 occurred in 2015, suggesting that later production improvements substantially addressed the issues that plagued the 2012 model.

Model year2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size235-45R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q
Engine air filter	1K0129620G
Fuel filter	1K0201051K
Spark plug	06H905601A alt 06H905621A
Battery	000915089C alt 000915089E
Front wiper blades	1Q1998002
Serpentine belt	06J260849D
Thermostat	06H121113B alt 06J121113C
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	173.6 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	56.7 in
Wheelbase	101.6 in
Curb weight	3505 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Eos of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2012 Lux SULEV 2.0 TSI Convertible

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2012	Lux SULEV 2.0 TSI Convertible 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.50 sec	15.10 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	3.2L Convertible 3.2L V6	6.50 sec	15.10 sec	250 hp	FWD
2007	2.0T Convertible 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.60 sec	15.10 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	3.2L Convertible 3.2L V6	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	250 hp	FWD
2007	2.0T Convertible 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.90 sec	15.40 sec	200 hp	FWD
2007	2.0T Convertible 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.70 sec	200 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt
Power Steering Fluid	VW PART NO. G004000

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	80 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.00-1.24 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Optional BCI Group Number	48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	680 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43.5 psi
Engine Compression	159

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH CII 41
Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake Application	WITH BOSCH 20H / WITH FN3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.748 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	Front bolts	6 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	30 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees.	90 degrees
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	Front bolts	6 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	29.5 ft. lbs.	29.5 ft. lbs
2	turn 90 degrees	90 degrees
3	turn 90 degrees; Starting at center and working outward, tighten all fasteners alternately and evenly.	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

2 ft. lbs., step 2: 7

2 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

2 ft. lbs., step 2: 7

2 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Convertible Top (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Eos marks a sharp anomaly in the generation's federal record: complaints surged to 94 — more than five times the 2011 level of 18 and the highest of any model year — driven overwhelmingly by 54 air bag complaints, while recalls hit a generation-high of four (matched only by 2013) and TSBs peaked at 970. The surrounding years show a generally declining complaint trend after a 2009 peak of 84, with 2013 dropping back to 26 and later years falling to single digits, making 2012 a clear outlier rather than a continuation of a worsening trajectory. Investigations held at three from 2010 through 2013, indicating sustained regulatory scrutiny, but the data does not specify the root cause of the air bag complaint spike. With one crash complaint and two fire complaints also recorded for the year, the 2012 model carries a distinctly elevated risk profile relative to its immediate predecessors and successors. This is not a good year to buy without documented resolution of the air bag recalls and a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the restraint system.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

970

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11’12’13 ’14 ’15 ’16

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 94 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags54

Engine9

Power Train5

Steering,Air Bags3

Electrical System,Air Bags,Unknown Or Other2

Seats2

Suspension2

Visibility2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V329000Unknown Or OtherReported 16/05/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

18V148000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 06/03/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 970 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-21	2026-03-27	Engine	This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Eos. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 1K0129620G Fuel filter 1K0201051K Spark plug 06H905601A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Eos take?

4.9 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Eos have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Eos get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.