Problems · by component
2022 Volkswagen Taos power train problems
52 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2022 Volkswagen Taos cite power train, 16% of all 323 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
52
16% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the power train
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“On [XXX], while driving through [XXX] in high-speed highway traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of throttle response and engine power. The instrument cluster displayed a solid Check Engine light alongside an Electronic Power Control (EPC) warning light and assist system failure notifications. The complete loss of acceleration forced the driver to coast across active highway lanes onto a dangerous shoulder, creating an immediate and severe collision risk. This sudden loss-of-drive-power symptom mirrors the safety hazard detailed under NHTSA Recall #23V-214 (VW Campaign 20DV). This breakdown is the third major powertrain failure on this vehicle across just 13,382 miles of ownership. Prior dealer-serviced failures include a failed camshaft seal requiring replacement (Feb 2025) and a complete Transmission Mechatronic Unit replacement (Aug 2025). 100% of all mechanical service and maintenance has been performed exclusively at an authorized Volkswagen dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection. Volkswagen of America and the dealer have been formally notified under active Case #[XXX] but have failed to remedy the vehicle or provide safe…”
“The transmission completely failed, first it was showing emergency transmission in safe mode messages, if you stopped the car turned it off and back on it would go away. After getting a transmission flush the day after my car's transmission completely failed...leaving me in the middle of the road with no power to go forward or backwards. I got towed back to the dealership and am basically being told to replace the transmission entirely with no reason as to why this has happened at only 57,000 miles. Yes it is available for inspection if needed at the dealership. My safety was put at risk because I was stranded in the middle of the road with no way to move my car without towing it. There are other reproductions of this from other customers online I found with similar issues. It has only been inspected by the dealership. There were "emergency transmission in safe mode" messages 2 days prior to the trip to the dealership.”
“A recurring fuel-odor and drivability problem began while the vehicle was under manufacturer warranty and was never permanently resolved. In September 2022, a Volkswagen dealer documented code P2421 for an EVAP system vent valve stuck open and performed a software update. In June 2024, another Volkswagen dealer documented a strong fuel smell intermittently entering the passenger compartment but found no leak and made no repair. In April 2025, the vehicle was reported to sputter when accelerating from a stop. In July 2025, fuel odor at startup, poor fuel economy, and slow acceleration were again reported, but no leak was found and the vehicle was declared to be operating normally. In June 2026, the vehicle developed an EPC warning and codes P0316 and P0302, resulting in diagnosis of a cylinder 2 injector problem. In September 2026, another repair facility documented continued gas smell, hesitation, possible misfire, cold-start code P0316, and a damaged intake-pipe O-ring causing an air leak. Fuel odor and drivability concerns continued. On September 22, 2026, Volkswagen Customer CARE advised that the vehicle should not be driven until the fuel-leak concern is…”
“On 7/9/2026, my 2022 VW Taos was brought to the dealer for being severely underpowered, check engine lights on, and a strong raw fuel smell inside the vehicle. On 7/10/2026, the dealer stated the vehicle was ready, claiming they replaced a turbo charge pipe O-ring. The service advisor verbally stated the vehicle had been successfully test-driven for 5 miles on streets and the highway. However, official paperwork only stated "cleared faults verified no leaks in system, vehicle is now operating as designed." Immediately upon driving home on the highway, as the vehicle reached 70–75 mph under load, a loud whistling noise and a sudden, dangerous loss of propulsion occurred simultaneously. The vehicle was returned to the dealer on 7/10/2026. On 7/13/2026, the vehicle was picked up after a second repair where the dealer admitted the plastic charge pipe (05E-145-673-Q) was actually fractured and had completely blown off the turbocharger during my highway drive, generating fault code P227900 (Intake Air System Leak). Upon reviewing the paperwork from both visits, I discovered the odometer had only increased by exactly 1 mile during the first service visit. The dealer…”
“The vehicle has intermittent hesitation/delayed acceleration from a stop and during low-speed stop-and-go driving. At times, engine RPM increases before the vehicle responds or accelerates normally. This creates a safety concern when entering traffic, turning, merging, or accelerating from a stopped position because the vehicle does not always respond predictably to throttle input. The concern was reported to a Volkswagen dealer in writing during a prior repair process and was later formally documented on a repair order as hesitation on acceleration. The vehicle has prior Volkswagen repair history involving a coolant warning/low coolant concern, head gasket repair, and later camshaft seal/belt cover repair. After the most recent repair, the delayed acceleration/hesitation concern remained unresolved. The vehicle is currently under review with Volkswagen Customer Care, but the safety-related drivability concern has not yet been fully resolved. Supporting documents include the 2025 written report of jerking from a stop, the 2026 repair order documenting hesitation on acceleration, and post-repair emails showing the issue remained unresolved. After I notified the…”
“Clicking noise coming from the driver side tire/axle when making right turns only. The diagnostic at the VW service department was a faulty CV axle is the cause of the noise. VW service associate recommended replacing the CV axle. The vehicle only has 6k miles but unfortunately is no longer under warranty. According to the VW forum on line there are several issues like this on this particular model.”
Showing 6 of 52 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.