Volkswagen Taos Complaints (2023)

102 consumer complaints on file.

#11662358May 21, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
unknown Rear brakes and rotors are wearing out in 1/2 the time that normal breaks ware out
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662356May 21, 2025
ENGINE
unknown head gasket, went out at 22,000 miles Low coolant light High engine temperatures Overheating Empty coolant reservoir Smell of coolant Coolant residue on the engine block Most of the head gasket failures also occurred at relatively low miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662354May 21, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
unknown jerkiness or lurching, especially when driving at lower speeds, especially if you’re used to driving a regular automatic with a heavy foot. Slow to downshift Jerkiness or lurching when accelerating from a stop Shifts to higher gears too early
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662353May 21, 2025
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
Unknown sometimes have to wait 2 to 3 seconds after stepping on the gas pedal before the car starts accelerating from a stop or at really low speeds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661355May 15, 2025
SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Start/Stop switch corroded and not operating vehicle. Dealer wants to charge me for replacing on a 2 year old car. Both rear shock absorbers are leaking and need replaced. Dealer wants to charge me for replacing on a 2 year old car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657460April 29, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Car only has 16,000 miles on it. Started smelling antifreeze when the car was started. Took to dealer- faulty, failing head gasket. Bad since manufactured. Also, brakes had sounded loud since purchased. Told this was just the type of brakes. Upon inspection of the vehicle for the head gasket it was noted that the rear brake pads need replaced!! Again, this car only has 16,000 miles on it. From research it appears the head gasket and rear brakes are an issue for the 2023 Taos. Dealer/shop has had the car for 6 days and I was told if I needed a loaner it would now cost me $ out of pocket....for a manufactured failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656299April 23, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle Make/Model/Year: 2023 Volkswagen Taos Component: Service Brakes / Electronic Parking Brake Odometer Reading: ~45,000 miles I am reporting a recurring issue with the rear brake pads on my 2023 Volkswagen Taos. The rear brakes were first replaced at around 25,000K miles due to premature wear and noise. A little over a year later, the brakes are again making noise and showing signs of wear. The issue appears to be affecting many Taos owners based on online forums and published warranty extensions from Volkswagen. Volkswagen has acknowledged premature rear brake pad wear on 2022–2025 Taos models by extending the brake pad warranty to 2 years or 24,000 miles. However, I am now outside of this extended warranty due to mileage, and the manufacturer is declining further coverage, citing "normal wear and tear" — despite this clearly being a design or electronic system defect, not regular use. There is reason to believe the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) or brake bias may be contributing to the excessive rear brake wear. I am concerned that this could pose a safety risk if the brakes fail unexpectedly, and it is also placing an undue financial burden on owners who must replace brakes every year. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue further and determine whether it warrants a broader recall or mandatory service campaign to protect consumer safety.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650685March 26, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Accelerating Transmission Shifting When accelerating from a full stop, using same force of pressure on foot to accelerate the vehicles behaves differently every time. Vehicle will rev and have a 1-3 second delay to move the wheels/tires, or have no delay. There is no common variable to know how the vehicle will accelerate from stop to stop. Have tried to narrow down anything unique to identify when this happens but it is sporadic and unknowing how the vehicle will behave. Specifically, have noted if the occurrences are unique to: Slope or incline, humid weather versus dry, fuel type (have always used same), cold temperatures versus warmer or cool, or any unique non-ordinary operating conditions. Safety risk- anytime vehicle is supposed to accelerate. Daily safety risks- We enter a roundabout and attempt to accelerate, and vehicle hesitates for 3 seconds causing us to not enter or risk hitting vehicle oncoming. Vehicle behind attempts ot accelerate as well usually resulting in. honking at us- daily. Left hand turn. Apply pressure to accelerator, and cannot make turn or get hit by oncoming vehicle. Parking lot. Accelerate over speedbump, vehicle lags/rev's, and then rapid acceleration causes vehicle to jolt almost hitting people/animals. Window will go up when switch is in position to lower and vice versa. Issue from day one. Our dog was in vehicle. Window down about 4 inches. At intersection. Went to accelerate which hesitated while holding switch to lower window, and window went up with our dogs nose still between car interior and exterior. Focus was on driving if we could make through intersection and could only imagine if we had a child with their hand out. The above is noted when vehicle has been in for service. Vehicle is currently at dealer and we will not accept vehicle until Volkswagen identifies issues. Known issues with this year and model AWD model.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650468March 25, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Went to a VW dealer in Sept of 2024. Dealer recommended that I get new rear brakes as they were low. VW had a service bulletin extending the warranty, but the dealer refused to offer warranty work as they were not worn enough even though they said they needed to be replaced. As of March 2025. the rear brakes are now metal on metal with no warning given under 30k miles. This is a known manufacture defect. Volkswagen in March 2025 refused to offer warranty, as it expired a few weeks ago. No warning given and known faulty rear brakes. A major safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645058February 26, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
We purchased our 2023 Taos in Jan of 2024. The vehicle had approximately 24,500 miles when a grinding noise began terminating from the rear wheels. At the time of appointment at Ontario VW vehicle had 25147 miles. we were told that the rear brakes were bad, at 0%, and the rotors were damaged as well. 1. Brakes on cars do not wear rear wheels first. The dealer admitted not that is not normal wear, but adamantly stated the car is in "normal operational mode". However no one will answer why the brakes failed prematurely or who is responsible (except the customer) 2. there is a warranty extension for this problem. This was not discussed at the dealership at any time. I found the extension and called to speak with a manager 3 days later. When asked Dominic Alessi the service manager stated "We don't market "warranty extensions". He self-admitted that his dealership withholds information to customers and engages in deceptive practices to a customer. He further went on and stated, "We are here to sell and fix cars". I had to ask if there was a customer service aspect. In addition he spoke down to the customer and attempted to employ tactics that are considered unethical, dishonest, and eluding to information that was inapplicable (single side failure of the brake system) 3. I contacted VW corporate. I have an email that clearly states that the vehicle will not be fixed, covered, addressed, or any other service. that I need not contact anyone further. in closing I have a VW Taos bought off the lot, brand new. the rear brakes failed without warning until they were grinding. Brakes on a vehicle that are not designed to wear the rear first. There are supposed to be wear indications (squeaking). Despite design the brakes failed 1147 miles at the dealership after a known problem had a warranty extension. No one will address the failed brakes, the poor interactions with a manager, and unwillingness to do the right thing by a corporation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641191February 6, 2025
ENGINE
3 times in the past year including today, the car has completely turned off while in drive at a red light or stop sign. It is not the auto start/stop, it simply completely shuts off the car and when I take my foot off the break the car says “shift gear into park and manually restart car” this has almost caused an accident every time and is a safety issue. I reported to dealer, they’ve heard of this before but can’t replicate or find issue. It is not safe for the cars engine to shut off while in drive and have to stop in the middle of road and shift gears and manually restart car. Major safety issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11638605January 26, 2025
ENGINE
Hazard warning light came on for low coolant on 1/18/2025. Almost empty of coolant. Bought VW coolant and filled. Brought in to dealer I bought the car from, told it was the head gasket leaking (after $170 charge). Quoted me an estimate of almost $4000. Told me it was not under warranty- my car has a little over 56,000. Warranty ends at 50,000. Dealer told me this is a known issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634429January 6, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
12,000 mile VW Taos coolent light went off. Faulty Engine coolant gasket failed. Took it into the dealership they also needed to replace the back brakes! Entertainment/radio screen randomly goes off as well. This is the second time it's been taken in because of an issue. Will not bee keeping this car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632173December 23, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
While driving Dec 10, 2024 my VW Taos failed to accelerate after slowing at an intersection. If this happens when I’m turning, on coming traffic has to slow down unexpectedly. The EPC light and check engine light came on. Car would not go above 15-20 mph. Called dealer and cautiously drove car to dealer. The mechanic said a popped fuse was reason the lights came on and car wouldn’t accelerate. They replaced 10A fuse and said codes/lights corrected. Now on 12/23/24 same exact issue has occurred. This is a huge safety concern. Taos 2022 models had a safety recall for a fuel delivery module that was causing that exact same issues and EPC and check engine light to come on. I am waiting for the dealer to call me back now to discuss how serious this really is and to get them to acknowledge they didn’t truly diagnose the vehicle the first time (given the 2022 Taos safety recall). Please investigate, I believe the 2023 models have the exact same problem. Not being able to accelerate is dangerous in multiple scenarios.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631595December 19, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The infotainment system goes black while driving. When I first bought the car in May 2023 it was going black a few times. I took it to the dealership and they alleged the system was replaced. Now the infotainment system goes black while driving multiple times per week. There have been multiple times that it goes black and resets while I am backing out. This is extremely frustrating and unsafe if I am relying on gps maps to get to my destination and the system goes black while driving and when I back out it creates a safety hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630791December 15, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
After about 10,000 miles, we started getting a loud squeal noise in the front brake area when taking off from a stop. We have taken the vehicle to the dealership and also spoke to the service department several times. We keep getting told that it is a common noise with the Taos and there is nothing wrong or no fix. There is no way a brand-new vehicle should be making this noise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630440December 12, 2024
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle, there was a loud pop coming from the lower driver’s side of the vehicle, and shortly afterwards the contact noticed a crack on the front windshield. The contact stated that the windshield had been replaced twice before and was awaiting the replacement of the windshield again. The contact stated that the cracks all stated at the same place on the windshield. The local dealer was contacted and declined to repair the vehicle because there was no open recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628375December 2, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OCU module goes out. It takes out the SOS button. SOS light turns red and two lights on the dash turn on. This is the third time for this vehicle. Replace the module until it fails again, and throw another one at it. No actual fix.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627638November 27, 2024
ENGINE
Vehicle displayed instances of overheating but was told by dealership it wasn't a big issue and the vehicle was safe to drive. I took the vehicle to the dealership for scheduled maintenance and when I returned to pick up the vehicle I was told that coolant was leaking into the oil and the head gasket was defective. The service desk representative stated the head gasket is a known issue in the 2022-23 models. The engine will need to be taken out of the vehicle, taken apart, and a new gasket installed. I was also told this issue would most likely happen again due to the design of the gasket. Parts are on order and the dealership has the vehicle as it's not safe to drive prior to repairs being made.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626452November 20, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
Haven’t owned the vehicle for 2 years and I’ve already had to have brake lines replaced, windshield and now the head gasket has crapped out. Which apparently is a huge issue with this vehicle. It’s really the worst buy I’ve ever made. Trade in value, at just 2 years old, is only 19,000…when I paid 30….it’s really awful. Now I have to wait for, God only knows how long, because the parts are on back order, to have it fixed! Volkswagen has ruined me for ever loving their name.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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