2022 Volkswagen Taos

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.

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.

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.

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.

Went into Volkswagen dealership as my low coolant light came on. I called early June, they couldn't get me in until June 17th, when I was then told my warranty was barely a week expired. My head gasket needs replaced and Volkswagen is refusing to cover this, knowing full well this has been an issue on thousands of these vehicles.

Light came on for leak detection pump failure upon starting car. Drove to dealer directly immediately upon looking up indicator light. Felt as if care was misfiring Deal found fuel pump in need of recall repair. Dealer also found coolant leak and recommended engine teardown. Diagnostic found block deck warp over permissible range 0.05m. Requiring full engine replacement. No previous indication of issue, leaking, or over heating. No cause of warp known or can be given. 60K miles on car.

Car was purchased in August 2021. In August 2022 it was taken in for service at Onion Creek VW in Austin for multiple occurrences of alerts for low coolant level. The dealership topped off the coolant reservoir and said there are no visible leaks and refused to further diagnose. Then in June 2025 with 22,000+ miles the same occurred again. Took it to Vanguard VW in Austin and they diagnosed a bad head gasket.

When taking the vehicle in for service at Safford Brown Volkswagen to replace a faulty EVAP module, we were notified that the cylinder head gasket was leaking and would need to be replaced. This leaking coolant and crack in the head gasket can lead to early engine failure. This seems to be a consistent issue due to a faulty part specific to this vehicle year and make. Volkswagen has released a TSB on the issue but is not offering any recalls or free service to fix the faulty part they produced. The TSB was released on 17th of August 2023.