NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Taos. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and forward collision avoidance (3). The EPA rates it 28–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Taos vehicles. In the event of a rear-end crash, the fuel pressure sensor may dislodge or separate from the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“There was a safety recall on the 2025 VW Taos that I drive ([XXX]). On XXX an incident occurred causing a gear shift. The vehicle was dropped off at to Kelly Volkswagen in [XXX], [XXX] on XXX. The gear shift issue cause damage to the back on the vehicle. The collision center gave me a quote 3,600 dollars to fix the car. I hold VW responsible for what happen to the car. I was told that this is being investigate and I have not received a resolution yet. To backtrack, I did not get the Vehicle back until XXX from the collision center. VW did not make any attempt to reach out to the collision center to assess the findings. on XXX, the same thing occurred with the vehicle the gear was in drive and shift to reverse, I'm lucky I was a space where I was able to stop on time before the care hit any object.”
“I rented this car from Enterprise. When I pulled out of the rental car facility, the car lurched forward. I applied the brakes. The car slowed down but did not stop and I rolled out into the street to the right. Enterprise is on the top of the hill and Pacific Coast Highway is at the bottom. The trolley and train tracks are close by. It is my habit to tap the brakes before any tracks even when there are no warning signals. When I tapped the brakes on the Taos, there was no response. Once I was over the tracks, I applied the brakes again and again, with no response. The car was rolling faster and faster down the hill. I determined it would be dangerous to attempt a right turn on Pacific Coast Highway with oncoming traffic and likely against the traffic light, or to cross the highway. I decided the safest course of action was to drive into a fenced, but empty, lot on the corner. I tried shoving the gear into park but it had no effect. The car stopped when it hit a fence post on the corner lot. Interestingly, the vehicle did not warn of any impending collision. The air bags did not deploy.”
“My 2025 Volkswagen Taos is exhibiting active symptoms of a known safety recall involving electrical system malfunctions. The vehicle experienced multiple failures including the instrument cluster going blank, screens shutting off, and a false start condition where the dashboard illuminated with multiple warning lights. The vehicle became inoperable and required towing to a Volkswagen dealership. The dealership confirmed that the symptoms are consistent with the current recall but stated there is no available remedy at this time. They insist the vehicle be returned to me after only charging the battery, without any repair addressing the recall condition. I refused. I do not consider the vehicle safe to operate given the ongoing electrical failures and lack of an available fix. This complaint is being filed because a recalled vehicle is actively experiencing the defect, and the manufacturer is unable to provide a repair or safe interim solution.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 31 | $1,950 | 287 |
| Taos 4motion Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,150 | 318 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), forward collision avoidance (3), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2025 Volkswagen Taos at 28–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Volkswagen Taos 4 out of 5 stars overall.