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2023 Volkswagen Taos

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Taos years

Owner complaints for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →
106Owner complaints

Model-year median: 53

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
314
2022106
202353
202410
20252
2026
Compare all Taos years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
42Service Brakes
33Electrical System
22Power Train
12Fuel/propulsion System
11
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
10Vehicle Speed Control
9Forward Collision Avoidance
8Lane Departure
3Wheels
3Air Bags
2Back Over Prevention
2Suspension
2Visibility/wiper
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Steering
1Structure
1Tires
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 106 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

106 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

I had my brakes inspected by VW at 20k miles and everything was fine. Then I took a long road trip using the Active Cruise Control (ACC) system extensively and during my next service at 25k my rear brakes and rotors needed replacement. Looking at numerous forms and owner experience, there is a problem with the VW Taos, likely wi…

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I had my brakes inspected by VW at 20k miles and everything was fine. Then I took a long road trip using the Active Cruise Control (ACC) system extensively and during my next service at 25k my rear brakes and rotors needed replacement. Looking at numerous forms and owner experience, there is a problem with the VW Taos, likely with the ACC system or other control systems excessively braking the rear brakes, resulting in early failure. VW has not addressed this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11680387

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2025
Steering

My steering wheel does not turn

NHTSA ODI #11679603

11,000 miles · Jul 22, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) warning light illuminated. In addition, the engine revved independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was dia…

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The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) warning light illuminated. In addition, the engine revved independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the cam shaft timing had failed. The timing belt and cam magnet were replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and the engine revved independently. The ETC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed that the cam shaft sensor had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that recently the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the air hose had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated intermittently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

NHTSA ODI #11675327

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2025
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

1)- Brake pads were worn out very fast twice when I first bought the vehicle. Eventually, the dealership had to replace them with after market brake pads. 2)- Check engine light keeps turning on and on - code P2421 EVAP canister stuck open despite all the expensive repairs at the dealership.

NHTSA ODI #11663870

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2025
Service Brakes

unknown Rear brakes and rotors are wearing out in 1/2 the time that normal breaks ware out

NHTSA ODI #11662358

Mileage unknown · May 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.

NHTSA ODI #11662356

Mileage unknown · May 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

NHTSA ODI #11662354

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2025
Power TrainService 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.

NHTSA ODI #11662353

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2025
Electrical SystemSuspension

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.

NHTSA ODI #11661355

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2025
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

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 brak…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11657460

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.