2022 Volkswagen Taos

Component or system that failed or malfunctioned Rear brake rotors and rear brake pads. Both rear rotors have been diagnosed as requiring replacement along with rear brake pads. The front rotors and pads are reported to be in normal condition. The vehicle and all replaced components are available for inspection upon request. Safety risk Degraded rear braking performance increases stopping distance and could lead to brake vibration, uneven braking, or reduced control during emergency braking, posing a potential safety risk to the driver and others. Confirmation or reproduction of the problem The issue has been confirmed by a dealership service department, which recommended replacement of the rear rotors and rear brake pads. The vehicle has approximately 16,000 miles and is just over 4 years old. During the service visit, dealership staff stated that this type of rear brake wear occurs frequently with these vehicles. The dealership also indicated that Volkswagen previously replaced rear rotors and pads under warranty for similar issues at approximately 24,000 miles or 2 years, but that this coverage is no longer available. Because this vehicle was driven significantly less than average, it did not reach those mileage thresholds within that earlier timeframe. Inspections performed The vehicle has been inspected by a dealership service center. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives at this time. Additional details / driving conditions The vehicle has been driven very infrequently, with low-mileage trips on flat roads in Charleston, South Carolina. There has been no aggressive driving, towing, mountainous driving, or heavy stop-and-go use. The front brakes remain in normal condition. Given the low mileage, light usage, and prior warranty replacements for similar conditions, rear rotor and pad replacement at this mileage appears premature and abnormal.

Since we bought the vehicle new in 2022, it has had an ongoing brake noise at low speeds. It sounds like a screeching or grinding, and I only hear it when I press the brake pedal. It is most noticeable right after startup when driving slowly. The main issue I am reporting is uneven rear brake pad wear, which may indicate the rear brake system is not applying evenly or not functioning correctly. The component involved is the rear brake system (rear brake pads and related parts). The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. A Volkswagen dealership confirmed an uneven wear condition. On 12/31/2025, the dealership performed an inspection and recorded that the left rear brake pad measured 3 mm while the right rear measured 8 mm. They recommended replacing the rear brake pads but did not diagnose or repair the cause of why one rear side is wearing much faster than the other. In prior visits, the dealership stated the noise was related to the type/quality of brake pads used. When I contacted the dealership again about the ongoing noise and the uneven wear, they stated they did not have a solution to correct the underlying problem and referred me to Volkswagen Customer Care, indicating they cannot get the brakes functioning beyond replacing pads. Volkswagen Customer Care then advised me I would need to work through the dealership. I believe this creates a safety risk because uneven rear brake wear may mean the brakes are not working the same on both sides, which could affect stopping distance or braking stability, and could lead to brake problems if one side wears out much sooner than the other. There have been no warning lights or messages. The symptoms began soon after purchase in 2022 and have continued over time.

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.

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.

​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.

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)

Took my 2022 VW Taos in for its 20,000 mile service. Upon picking up the vehicle I was told everything looks great and I'm going to want to watch my rear brakes, the pads are worn 50%. I inquired as to wear on the front, near new at 11. I had also asked if they could check on the sluggish or jack rabbit take offs. They said that had been corrected thru a computer update at a previous visit. I said it was minimally improved? and had hoped VW had figured out the cause. I dwellled on the rear brake issue overnight, discussed the situation with my BIL, and called my service advisor in the am to say we believe the sluggish/rapid acceleration isn't brake related, but rather the brakes aren't completely releasing during stop to acceleration. He said he suspected that also and discussed it with his service manager who agreed. He said they submitted an inquiry and are asking VW to look in to this and as my rearbrakes are out if warranty by my "in service date", to see if VW will waive the pad replacement for low odometer. I've complained about and filed a NTHSA report for the acceleration problem a couple years ago. This is still a serious safety issue and abuse of the paying public.VW needs to step up before someone has to die. Brakes are nothing you wanting failing doing 70 mphs on I-90 thru mountain passes. Please follow-up and seek a resolution from VW. In the meantime I saw someone posted VW has a new brake pad as if May 2025. Guess I'll be paying for the replacement. P.S. I still don't have 20,000 mile on it. Ridiculous to be replacing rear pads!

The vehicle has ongoing acceleration delay and jerking under normal driving, along with repeated premature rear brake wear and a major coolant leak that required head gasket replacement. The most recent incident occurred on August 8, 2025, immediately after picking up the vehicle from a service visit for the acceleration concern. Two separate throttle delays with a sudden jerk forward occurred at approximately 5:47 PM and 5:50 PM in moderate city traffic at 79°F. These incidents put my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk, as delayed acceleration can prevent safe merging, crossing, or passing. Within the first 25,000 miles of ownership, the vehicle has also required one rear brake replacement and a second replacement was recommended due to premature wear, which could reduce braking performance and stopping distance. Additionally, a coolant leak ultimately required head gasket replacement. Suspension components, including a knuckle, have also been replaced under warranty. The acceleration problem has been reported to authorized Volkswagen dealers, but was documented as “could not reproduce” despite occurring minutes after pickup. Coolant leak and brake issues have been confirmed and repaired or recommended for repair by dealers. There were no warning lights or error messages prior to the acceleration incidents.