Volkswagen Taos Complaints (2022)

309 consumer complaints on file.

#11707893December 30, 2025
ENGINE
I purchased a 2022 Volkswagen Taos from TOM‘s VW, Union, New Jersey on Sep 23, 2023. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 19000 miles. Unfortunately, I experienced the engine light illuminating after starting the car at the end of October 2024. I brought this issue to Tom's VW's attention in Nov, 2024 - 1) I made an appointment with Tom's VW, and the first time I went to the dealership was on Nov 2, 2024. Since then, we have come to Tom's VW dealership to fix the same issue at least 6 times, the latest one was on May 15, 2025. 2) The car has been kept in the dealership's shop since it was drop off at the dealership on May 15, 2025. It's still kept in the dealership's shop now. 3) Several times we were told the problem was resolved and we could pick up the car, but the problem would usually reappear the next day. We immediately called Tom's VW to inform them and ask if it was safe to drive the car before it was delivered to Tom's VW again, since the problem involved the engine. However, we were told there was no safety issue. This concerns the engine, and the problem remains unresolved after a year, with no explanation for the cause of the engine light illuminating. We've been repeatedly told there's no safety issue and we can continue driving. Given this situation, I strongly suspect a serious engine-related quality problem with the car, and that the dealer's advice—that we can continue driving—poses a safety hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704557December 11, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a repeated safety-related defect involving exhaust intrusion into the cabin of my 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The vehicle experienced loss of power, coolant loss, and engine warning indicators, and was serviced twice by Volkswagen Southtowne in Sandy, Utah. First Incident – Vehicle Returned as “Safe to Drive” During the first repair visit, the dealer diagnosed issues involving the manifold/exhaust area, head gasket, coolant system, and catalytic converter. After keeping the vehicle for an extended period, the dealership informed me the vehicle was “safe to drive,” although the repair was not fully completed. I relied on this representation. After the vehicle was returned to me, I began experiencing significant physical symptoms only while driving the vehicle, including nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. These symptoms occurred repeatedly during operation and would subside after leaving the vehicle. At the time, I did not understand that these symptoms were caused by exhaust entering the cabin. Second Incident – Defect Confirmed and Additional Repairs Performed Weeks later, the symptoms persisted and I returned the vehicle to the same dealership. At this second visit, the dealer reported coolant leakage and additional gasket failures. They removed the cylinder head, replaced gaskets, and performed additional exhaust-related repairs. I was provided a loaner vehicle during this extended repair. After this second repair, the symptoms while driving stopped. Safety Concern Based on the timing of symptoms, the repair records, and the resolution following the second repair, I believe that exhaust gases were entering the cabin of the vehicle during normal operation for an extended period. This created a significant safety hazard. I was repeatedly assured the vehicle was “safe to drive” when it was not. I unknowingly operated the vehicle while being exposed to exhaust fumes for several months. The condition caused physical illness, impaired my ability.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703443December 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
2022 Volkswagen Taos SE 1.5T (DNKA engine, <60,000 miles, <5 years old) developed internal coolant leak from cylinder head gasket. On 11/03/2025 Smith Volkswagen, Wilmington, DE (RO 692953/1) performed coolant system pressure test and confirmed leak coming from cylinder head gasket area at rear of engine below turbo (exactly as shown in Figures 1 & 2 of VW TSB 15-23-01). Dealer noted possible related engine damage that may require complete engine replacement in addition to head gasket. Vehicle available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: loss of coolant can cause sudden engine overheating, power loss, or seizure while driving, creating risk of crash, stranding, or fire. Symptoms began November 2025 with “Check Coolant” warning; reservoir was below MIN. Added coolant once; warning has not returned, but pressure test proved ongoing internal leak. No visible external drips. This exact failure is a known manufacturing defect per Volkswagen Technical Service Bulletin 15-23-01 (Transaction 2071245/1, issued 08/17/2023), which states: “Original engine production head gasket design can lead to coolant leaks” and was redesigned as of engine DNKA 234 458 (July 27, 2023). Despite VW’s own bulletin documenting the defective gasket in all 2022–2023 Taos/Jetta 1.5T engines built before the fix, VW classifies the TSB as “information only” with no warranty coverage. VW Goodwill offered only 50% assistance on the $4,927 head gasket replacement and nothing toward a potential full engine replacement, leaving owner responsible for thousands of dollars in repairs on a documented factory defect in a low-mileage, young vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702085November 30, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint is peeling along panel edges and roof seams. A VW inspector confirmed original OEM paint. Multiple VW Taos owners have reported similar clear coat failures. Not impact-related and not environmental damage. VW, however, refuses to accept responsibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701839November 27, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle has had repeated issues related to the fuel system, including strong fuel odor inside the cabin, a gurgling sound coming from the fuel tank area, and recurring check engine lights shortly after a previous recall repair was completed. The most recent diagnostic from the dealer indicated a faulty fuel tank pressure sensor (G400), but I was initially told the vehicle needed a fuel pressure release valve. There has been inconsistency in the diagnostics and explanations provided to me. The fuel smell in the cabin and apparent pressure issues in the tank created a safety concern for me and my passengers, especially while driving with windows closed or using cabin heat. I am concerned about a potential fuel leak or improper tank venting. The problem has occurred multiple times, including at least five check engine lights after the recall repair. The dealer has inspected the vehicle several times, but the issue has not been fully resolved, and additional related parts (such as the tank shutoff valve) were recommended for replacement. Warning lights included repeated check engine indicators, and the fuel odor occurred each time the issue recurred. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700863November 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN
2022 VW Taos Head Gasket failure at 63,000 miles. Coolant leaking. Potential for engine seizure/fire. Manufacturer is aware of defect (TSB 2071245/1) but refuses to assist.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700155November 18, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
My car is only 14,200 miles and the rear brakes are gone, I need to find help because is a safety concern and VW doesn’t want it to replace because the extended warranty is already expired, but nobody, either the VW or the dealership where I bought my car informed me regarding this issue and the extended warranty. The issue is not only for me there are a lot of customers having the same issue and VW and the dealership want me to pay for their original cheap brakes, the dealer wants to sell me new brakes for $400.00. Customer Service did not want to help. This morning I almost crash when I tried to stop at the light.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699352November 14, 2025
POWER TRAIN
i got a 2022 volkswagen Taos the end of may 2025, it has been 6 months. a month after getting it i reported to the dealership that i felt like i had a wobbly tire, they looked at it and said it was fine. i have felt like it has gotten worse within the past few months so i brought it into a shop, they called me back yesterday saying i have a problem with the transmission. i’m not sure how i don’t have any warranty, but i now have to come out of pocket for the transmission. no lights came on, there was no warning. i tried driving it home after and its shifting so badly it’s now not safe to drive and im scared ill be in an accident. so im forced to fix the issue now. i’m having it sent to the dealership today but wanted to make a report to have this vehicle recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698755November 11, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
I took the vehicle in for its 80,000 service, which included a multiple point inspection on Oct. 24th, 2025. The dealer that serviced my vehicle for that specific service was the north park volkswagen in San Antonio. On October 30, 2025 at approximately 2:15 PM, I was driving down the highway when I felt something in the brakes crack. I had to use my whole body weight and a lot of force to stop the vehicle, which could have ended in a fatal accident. I took the vehicle to the nearest Firestone with the parking brake close to my hand, where a certified technician inspected it and found that a brake line had been improperly reattached using glue and duct tape, posing a major safety hazard. There was visible glue residue and tape wrapped around the brake line. Because Firestone could not obtain the necessary part and did not feel confident repairing a European vehicle, I then took my car to Ancira Volkswagen in San Antonio. Their technicians confirmed that the brake line repair using glue and tape would not have lasted long had it been at the 70,000 service over 6 months go further proving that this unsafe and makeshift repair was done recently. When I reported this issue to North Park Volkswagen, the service manager, Albert Zapata, was rude, dismissive, and denied all responsibility, implying that I could have caused the damage myself. This situation reflects negligence and a failure to perform a proper inspection or maintain safety standards. The workmanship and lack of accountability from North Park Volkswagen directly put my life at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698370November 8, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased the vehicle in 2022 & in 2023 the low coolant light turned on. Now at 54k miles the low coolant light has turned on again and the head gasket is definitely leaking. I’m out of warranty because I’ve hit 54k miles. This is absolutely unacceptable for a brand new car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697374November 4, 2025
ENGINE
My head gasket is leaking and I saw that VW had other complaints about the engine code DNKA for year 2022 and after July 2023 the company had made a decision to redesign the head gasket and coatings. I don’t understand how this isn’t a recall just yet especially knowing that Taos 2022, has many problems than an average car. The dealership says I’m responsible for paying it but yet I have proof that the design of the gasket of my vehicle was a manufactured defect. Please please do something about this or help us that have purchased. I’ve invested 20k into this car and for me taking it in 3,4 times a year isn’t realistic and reliable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696396October 29, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I've been having issues with my car since I bought it. I've taken the car in for the Power Train System, and the codes that come up are P0456 and P2421. This car has a mind of its own. I've driven it and it started lagging, and I went into limp mode just crossing a 2 way stop with ongoing traffic. I don't understand how VW doesn't address this problem when I know that if anyone were in my shoes, they wouldn't have dealt with this, going to the dealership 3,4 times a year when I should only be going in frequently for oil changes. The dealership says after my warranty is over, I have to pay out of pocket, but I don't see why, when it's been an ongoing issue and VW needs to have an extended warranty, because I know I am not the only one with issues. Reddit has thousands of complaints about VW, but it's our problem that they couldn't produce a reliable car. The dealership has been aware of this for 4 years since I bought my car in June 2021. I have had the engine light come on every 3 -5 months since June 2021, and it's always the same when they replace a whole part. I have all the paperwork and all the information on what they perform on my car. I am a regular. citizen, and I only make around 30K a year, if I were able to, I would get another car, but I've literally invested 20K in this car, and it's ridiculous how unreliable and how I constantly have to worry if the car will work. I don't have a scanner, so I uploaded how many times I've been to the dealership for one car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693971October 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Vehicle lost power control due to engine malfunction. This was caused by a leak in the coolant head gasket. This is an issue that Volkswagen has already identified with these cars, but has neglected to recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692175October 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This statement is to formally document my ongoing and serious concerns regarding my 2022 Volkswagen Taos, which has been in and out of the Pasadena Volkswagen, California, service department for the past three weeks due to a persistent fuel smell and related fuel system issues. Despite the recent maintenance and attempted repairs, the vehicle continues to exhibit these dangerous problems. Most alarmingly, during a recent incident, the vehicle almost completely shut off while I was driving on the freeway. This is a critical safety hazard, and the safety of my family is paramount. I cannot accept driving a vehicle that poses such a risk of breakdown in traffic. Adding to my unease with the fuel issues is the fact that this specific vehicle has also previously required repair for seized rear brake calipers. Given the numerous reported complaints about the 2022 VW Taos model and the repeated, severe issues my own vehicle has experienced—from brake failure to dangerous fuel system problems—I am profoundly concerned about its reliability and long-term safety. The continuing issues make it difficult, if not impossible, to drive this vehicle without significant anxiety. I request an urgent and definitive resolution to these safety-critical fuel problems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691208October 3, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
My 2022 Volkswagen Taos is less than 4 years old, has 23,500 miles and I have had to replace the rear brake pads twice. After 14 months in service, the rear brake pads were prematurely worn and replaced under warranty extension at 8,900 miles. This is a known issue--see this bulletin from VW: [XXX] . But the root cause issue has not been solved. At 23,500 miles, the rear brake pads were at 2mm and I had to replace them again, only two years later. So every one (1) to two (2) years, the rear brake pads on a VW Taos have to be replaced. Make it make sense. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690266September 29, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting serious electrical/CPU defects and dealership workmanship issues with my 2022 Volkswagen Taos. Since purchase, the vehicle has shown repeated electronic malfunctions: dash blackouts, HVAC/remote start errors, infotainment resets, and a cooling fan that ran 24+ hours after shutoff. Warning alerts are delayed or absent (no warning before head gasket failure at 42k miles; oil-level alert appeared 8 weeks after a dealer oil change; turbo underboost fault only appeared 9 months after a missing O-ring). Independent scans (AutoZone) have shown generic fault codes (ABS communication error), while Volkswagen dealerships repeatedly reported “no faults found.” Service staff told me they only read “VW codes,” ignoring generic ones that point to safety problems. Major events tied to these failures: Nov 2024: Head gasket failure at 42k miles, no warnings triggered. Aug 2025: Turbo charge pipe disconnected at highway speeds, car went into limp mode. Independent shop documented it “must have come loose or was not properly installed.” Sep 2025: EPC again; dealer found missing O-ring on intake pipe, likely from Nov 2024 repair. These failures have repeatedly stranded me in limp mode with my child in the car. The CPU’s failure to log and alert is a systemic defect. A similar delay with steering or braking could be deadly. I have raised concerns with Fox Valley Volkswagen since 2022 and sent certified letters in Sept 2025. They denied responsibility, calling each failure “unrelated.” Volkswagen of America also pushed me back to the dealer. This is not a one-off repair issue. It is a systemic CPU/electrical defect suppressing warnings until after failure, compounded by sloppy workmanship. My car is unsafe to drive. I request investigation into VW’s diagnostic practices, CPU/sensor monitoring delays, and dealer handling of safety-critical repairs. I have Service reports but I ran out of room and they couldn't be attached with the rest of the documents below.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689301September 23, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving I heard a small crack I looked up and notice where you can turn the lights on in the inside the whole unit fell out on me while driving. Almost crashed. And once we tried to put it back up it all the plastic strutted to crack.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689279September 23, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Stepping in the gas, the car takes about 4-5 seconds before it speeds up after each stop. When pulling out of a drive, the car sputtered and the check engine light was flashing and the Start/stop error came on. The delayed driving happens every time I drive the car. Only have about 44k miles on it. I have had multiple people almost rear end me. I have had the car for about 3 weeks now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687176September 14, 2025
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car is telling me things are not available such as airbags, blind spot, the rear warning and the tire pressure monitoring system. As well as is has the fuel injector problem that VW has already extended the warranty on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682652August 24, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filled my tank with gas. Got into the vehicle and started if and could almost immediately smell gas in cabin. Thought maybe I got gas the wasn’t good. Refilled twice with premium gas and smell did not go away and you could then smell it outside of the vehicle as well. Very strong, drive it to my VW Service Dealef to have it looked at then.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Taos