Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Volkswagen Taos problems

Owners filed 110 complaints about the 2023 Volkswagen Taos with NHTSA between Jan 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (43).

Complaints
110
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine43
  2. Service brakes33
  3. Electrical system25
  4. Fuel/propulsion system12
  5. Power train12
  6. Vehicle speed control9
  7. Forward collision avoidance8
  8. Lane departure3
  9. Wheels3
  10. Air bags2
  11. Suspension2
  12. Back over prevention2
  13. Visibility/wiper2
  14. Engine and engine cooling1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202322
202427
202532
202629

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

43 reports
“The infotainment touch screen on my 2023 Volkswagen Taos has completely blacked out and failed, leaving my backup camera entirely inoperable. This has created a severe blind-spot hazard where I cannot safely reverse. On top of this failure, the vehicle has a chronic history of being in and out of the dealership service department for unresolved fuel system problems, specifically regarding the fuel injectors and fuel lines under warranty. The dealership has repeatedly failed to permanently fix this fuel defect. Now, the car actively loses engine acceleration and drops into a dangerous slow crawl ('limp mode') at busy intersections when the air conditioning is running, forcing me to turn off the climate control just to move safely. Combined, these recurring powertrain and electrical defects create an immediate, severe safety hazard for myself and my young children while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11766233

Service brakes

33 reports
“Brake Recall for VW 2023 Taos - Nov 2024 (10 or 11K Mileage). Brake pads changed. Continued to hear Brake Squeeking: taken in 10/15/2025, 11/14/2024, 1/3/2025, 5/17/2025. 12 mm at initial recall dropped to 7 mm at 17,900 miles. Upon leaving dealership, tech states VW uses "refurbished brake pads." Dealer washed pads, and sent me home. I have all invoices, they are larger in size. Unable to attach”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Service brakesODI 11764053

Electrical system

25 reports
“I bought the vehicle 3 years ago and currently it is at the shop to have the engine wiring harnes repaired. A few weeks ago, my dashboard started glitching. On 9/19/2026, my vehicle would not start. The check engine, EPC, low battery voltage, and traction light came on. I had to call someone to give me a jump so that my vehicle would start. It was impossible for the vehicle to keep a charge and it kept acting up in traffic. The dealership now wants to charge me about $650 for a new battery. I believe that the faulty engine wiring harness caused the battery to die prematurely and I should not have to pay for it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Electrical systemODI 11766389

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“I went to the Fiesta Albqueurque VW June 2025 multiple times resulting in close to 2 weeks without a car. Found a oil leak and head gasket - bolt jam replaced. In XXX, car shook, took it to first Fiesta ABQ, who identified a low battery charge. However, the car continued to shake end of XXX and we then, took this to Rudolph volkswagon, [XXX], that blamed it on bad fuel (invoice attached). Check engine sign turned off for a day, and came back on on our major trip up north from [XXX] to [XXX]. This Dealership told us that we would be safe on the road from [XXX] to [XXX]. Yes, we made it but by sheer luck. third Attempt, took this car to [XXX], VW and they were able to change: CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER AND REFILLED THE ENGINE WITH 4.2 QUARTS OF 0W20 SYNTHETIC OIL WITH A SPIN ON OIL FILTER AND REPLACED THE DRAIN PLUG AND DRAIN PLUG CRUSH WASHER. RESET THE SERVICE INTERVAL DISPLAY. CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF ALL FLUIDS LEVELS. REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID, BLED AND TOPPED OFF THE SYSTEM. MULTI-POINT INSPECTION COMPLETED NO RECOMMENDATIONS AT THIS TIME PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED MULTIPOINT INSPECTION A VIDEO MULTIPOINT INSPECTION WAS PROVIDED. RESET THE MAINTENANCE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11763999

Power train

12 reports
“My 2023 VW Taos Se has been diagnosed with head gasket failure. Denied “goodwill assistance.” I did state that VW has issued a TSB (TSB 15-23-01. I currently have 80,380 miles on the vehicle. Known engineering failure, not wear and tear.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Power trainODI 11744610

Vehicle speed control

9 reports1 crash
“At highway speeds, the speedometer does not show actual moving speed. I’ve noticed it will be ranging 5-10 mph difference. Car will display 65 mph but police radar and gps will say a speed in the 70s. Everything stock.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026Vehicle speed controlODI 11759606
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.