2023 Volkswagen Taos Problems
- Complaints
- 110filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 10,092miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 31 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 28 city / 36 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints on this model year cluster around two low-mileage patterns: rear brake pads wearing out well before typical intervals, and engine coolant loss traced to a head gasket failure. A second group of complaints describes the engine shutting off or refusing to accelerate, often accompanied by EPC or check engine warnings. Most reports arrive under about 25,000 miles, and many owners note the dealer had no explanation or could not reproduce the problem.
- Engine
Coolant loss and head gasket failure
- 30 complaints (27%)
- median 10,185 mi at 1.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 2023–2026
Owners report the coolant warning light coming on, a low or empty coolant reservoir, coolant residue on the engine, and overheating. Complaints describe diagnosis of a head gasket leak, sometimes with coolant entering the engine or the oil, and repairs that involve extensive engine work. Several owners say they were told the part was backordered or given no repair date. Typically reported between about 10,000 and 25,000 miles, often within the first two years of ownership.
What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue or a sweet smell around the engine, and ask whether the head gasket has been replaced or the coolant system pressure-tested. Request the service history for any coolant-related visits.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was told there was a leak in my coolant system that has happened to many other with the 22 and 23 taos. If out of warranty the claim would be almost 5k even though my car is only 2 years old. The work needed to be done is labor intensive and also a issues with the cylinder head gasket.”
NHTSA complaint #11719973, filed 2026-02“a low coolant light went on . Brought car in and head gasket and rear brake pads need to be replaced. the car has 16000 miles on it. This is unacceptable. !!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to know if the car will be replaced with the same faulty brake pads and the same faulty head gasket. These are know issues so why hasn't VW fixed both these parts and why would I want to same ones in my car that are known to be faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #11616341, filed 2024-09 - Brakes
Rear brake pads wearing out early
- 25 complaints (23%)
- typically at 2.4 yrs old
- filed 2023–2026
Owners describe rear brake pads reaching metal-on-metal or needing replacement far sooner than expected, sometimes after a prior warranty replacement. Complaints frequently mention squealing or grinding, and several say the dealer declined coverage or attributed the wear to normal use. Some owners reference a warranty extension on the rear pads and describe difficulty getting work performed under it. Mostly reported between roughly 10,000 and 32,000 miles, often within the first two to three years.
What to check: Have the rear pads and rotors measured before purchase and ask for service records showing whether the pads were already replaced. Ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether any extended coverage on the rear pads still applies.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I purchased this car new less than 18 months ago and have been problems with it ever since. Brakes wear down prematurely and cause metal contact to rotors that causes bad screeching, stutters and affects my braking distance. I work for drive-share platforms as well as work as a personal driver for children in Ventura County and become more and more worried about the safety of my passengers as well as myself. …”
NHTSA complaint #11591827, filed 2024-05“On 9/5/2024 I brought the vehicle into the dealer for the 30000 mile service. Upon inspection the dealer found the rear brake pads were badly worn and needed replacement and that they were not under warranty and that I would be responsible for the cost. In February 2024 Volkswagen sent me a notice that they were extending the warranty on the rear pads to 24000 mi / 2 years from 12000 mi / 1year but did not indicate why. …”
NHTSA complaint #11615924, filed 2024-09 - Engine
Stalling or loss of power while driving
- 25 complaints (23%)
- median 9,200 mi at 1.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2023–2026
Owners describe the engine shutting off while stopped or at low speed, with a message asking them to shift into park and restart manually. Others report the vehicle refusing to accelerate from a stop or dropping into limp mode at highway speed, often with the EPC or check engine light on. Complaints say dealers could not reproduce the problem or found no stored codes. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to around 25,000, with no clear seasonal pattern.
What to check: Ask whether any software updates or control module reprogramming have been applied, and request the full diagnostic history for EPC or check engine light visits. A scan for stored fault codes before purchase is worthwhile.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was attempting to turn left across on coming traffic, plenty of room safety wise. The engine lagged and would not speed up. Pedal almost the the floor and I was going maybe 5 mph, the car was barley rolling and had the two cars coming not been paying attention I would have been tboned. Once through the intersection the vehicle aggressively sped up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11615792, filed 2024-09“I currently lease this vehicle through Volkswagen, and it's been nothing but causing me trouble. The Engine Power Control (EPC) light comes on at random, and it significantly reduces my RPMs to the point where I cannot accelerate properly on the highway or up a hill. I have almost been t-boned after pulling out into a road, and as soon as I get on the road, the car does a rocket ship maneuver.”
NHTSA complaint #11699979, filed 2025-11 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission hesitation and rough shifting
Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints
Owners describe a delay of a second or more between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle moving, along with lurching or jerky acceleration from a stop and early upshifts. Some complaints mention the vehicle failing to move in reverse until restarted, and one describes a transmission failure message with a sudden speed drop. Reported mostly under about 10,000 to 20,000 miles, frequently during low-speed or stop-and-go driving.
What to check: Drive the vehicle from a cold start and include several low-speed starts and a reverse maneuver, watching for delay or lurching. Ask whether any transmission programming updates or repairs are on record.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle will take off like a rocket when accelerating from a stop. I had to restart the vehicle because it had no acceleration before issue started. Took to the dealer was told that this is normal. I was then advised to put the vehicle in sport mode and it should stop. Vehicle has only 3300 miles on it and this is a new issue that just started. Took it to a local shop and it showed a p2422 so we took it to the dealer and that’s when they stated no codes found and no issues found. We have multiple videos of the rocket take off.”
NHTSA complaint #11598898, filed 2024-07“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 complaint #11662354, filed 2025-05 - Electrical system
Infotainment screen failing and backup camera loss
- 10 complaints (9%)
- typically at 2.2 yrs old
- filed 2023–2026
Owners report the infotainment screen going black or resetting, which also disables the backup camera and other displays. Complaints describe repeated dealer visits with software updates or part replacement, and some mention a backordered component with a substantial quoted cost once outside warranty. A few owners link the screen failures to broader electrical symptoms such as battery drain. Reported at low mileage, often within the first two years and sometimes within the first several thousand miles.
What to check: Test the screen through several power cycles and check the backup camera in reverse, and ask whether any infotainment software updates or module replacements have been performed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11766233, filed 2026-09“While I was driving down the road going 40 mph I heard and felt the engine stop. My dashboard display and stereo cut off, and the check engine light, check oil light, check battery light, and tire pressure alert light came on. I could not accelerate my car or move it forward at all, I could not see the speedometer due to the dashboard display going out. I pulled over and put the vehicle in park before turning it off. I waited a minute or two and turned it back on with no issue, it proceeded to drive with no further problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #11696660, filed 2025-10
Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on rear brake pad thickness, coolant level and signs of coolant residue, and a scan for stored fault codes. Ask for the full service history, since many of the reported symptoms were addressed through updates or repairs that should appear in the records.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 110 consumer complaints for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos. 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 83% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 10,092 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 330 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine43 39%
- Brakes34 31%
- Electrical system25 23%
- Fuel system12 11%
- Other or unknown11 10%
- Vehicle speed control9 8.2%
- Lane departure3 2.7%
Also reported: Wheels (3), Air bags (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Suspension (2), Engine cooling (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “Hazard warning light came on for low coolant on 1/18/2025. Almost empty of coolant. Bought VW coolant and filled. Brought in to dealer I bought the car from, told it was the head gasket leaking (after $170 charge). Quoted me an estimate of almost $4000. Told me it was not under warranty- my car has a little over 56,000. Warranty ends at 50,000. Dealer told me this is a known issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11638605, filed 2025-01Brakes: “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”
NHTSA complaint #11764053, filed 2026-09Electrical system: “In two separate instances the Autonomous Emergency Brake system was activated. Luckily there i didn't cause an accident. There was no one in front of me either times. Thats the worst of all the issues the vehicle has.”
NHTSA complaint #11738657, filed 2026-05Fuel system: “Whole dash goes black while driving. Also fuel system is not up to par. Rear brakes fail after 6months on my third time changing them since I purchase the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11732878, filed 2026-04Mileage when problems were reported
83% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,400 and 11,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos · SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 14.7% risk |
| Taos · SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 17.4% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2023 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2022: same overall rating; 2024: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2023 Volkswagen Taos version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 28 | 36 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Taos 4motion AWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 330 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038147Sep 30, 2026Engine. Update ECM Control Module Programming
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Engine. Suggested fuel additive
- 11038145Sep 17, 2026Lane departure. Heat Sensative Trouble Shooting Explanation.
- 11038144Sep 10, 2026Other or unknown. Remove Key FOB battery for 20 seconds to restore proper operation.
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11038142Sep 7, 2026Other or unknown. This OTA update provides improvements to connectivity stability and OCU module diagnostics, which will reduce OCU module replacements due to false DTC detection. This software update is also a…
- 11038141Sep 3, 2026Other or unknown. This OTA update provides improvements to connectivity stability and OCU module diagnostics, which will reduce OCU module replacements due to false DTC detection. This software update is also a…
- 11038140Sep 3, 2026Other or unknown. This OTA update provides improvements to connectivity stability and OCU module diagnostics, which will reduce OCU module replacements due to false DTC detection. This software update is also a…
- 11036878Aug 27, 2026Brakes. Repair or Replace Information
- 11036877Aug 27, 2026Brakes. Brake rotor resurfacing
Other model years of the Volkswagen Taos
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | — | 2 | 4 | 31 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 56 | 3,990 | 0 | 4 | 31 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 110 | 10,092 | 0 | 4 | 31 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Too new |
| 2022 | 324 | 21,000 | 6 | 4 | 31 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
All Volkswagen Taos model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
Complaints on this model year cluster around two low-mileage patterns: rear brake pads wearing out well before typical intervals, and engine coolant loss traced to a head gasket failure. The issues reported most often: Coolant loss and head gasket failure; Rear brake pads wearing out early; Stalling or loss of power while driving.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos have?
NHTSA recorded 110 consumer complaints for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 43 complaints (39% of the total), followed by brakes with 34.
Has the 2023 Volkswagen Taos been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2023 Volkswagen Taos do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2023 Volkswagen Taos 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos get?
The EPA rates the 2023 Volkswagen Taos (Taos, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 28 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2023 Volkswagen Taos reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,092 miles and the middle half falls between 7,400 and 11,000 miles; 83% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.