2023 VOLKSWAGEN TAOS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2023 Taos SE shuts off completely at red lights/when I’m stopped more than 60 seconds. It prompts me to shift into park, put the key to steering column and restart, then shift back into drive and go. Dealer scanned it on two separate occasions and has no explanation. Couldn’t reproduce. Very dangerous as increases risk of crashes and rear ended when a car needs to be restarted mid roadway. The 2022 model had a recall for this exact stalling issue and they claimed to have fixed it but doesn’t appear so. Last occurred to me 9/6/2025 around 7:13pm.

ENGINE

2023 Taos SE shuts off completely at red lights/when I’m stopped more than 60 seconds. It prompts me to shift into park, put the key to steering column and restart, then shift back into drive and go. Dealer scanned it on two separate occasions and has no explanation. Couldn’t reproduce. Very dangerous as increases risk of crashes and rear ended when a car needs to be restarted mid roadway. The 2022 model had a recall for this exact stalling issue and they claimed to have fixed it but doesn’t appear so. Last occurred to me 9/6/2025 around 7:13pm.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear breake pads and rotors need replacement after extremely low miles driven and no functional indication of such wear during driving and no warning. Found during regular oil change maintenance at dealership. Unsure if the component has been inspected by another party. Only 26000 miles on the vehicle and over half of those are highway miles. Rear brake pads are of poor durability and pose a safety risk for poor brake functioning.

SERVICE BRAKES

Rear breake pads and rotors need replacement after extremely low miles driven and no functional indication of such wear during driving and no warning. Found during regular oil change maintenance at dealership. Unsure if the component has been inspected by another party. Only 26000 miles on the vehicle and over half of those are highway miles. Rear brake pads are of poor durability and pose a safety risk for poor brake functioning.

ENGINE

2023 VW Taos leased in June 2023 - needed to replace brakes 2 years (June 2025) into owning the car. Inspection would not pass without them. This is an excessively quick wear that cost me over $600 for a leased vehicle that should be just basic ownership during 3 year lease. August 2025 - Brought in for an oil change and a coolant yellow light on dashboard. Our local mechanic would not touch the coolant issue as he said it seems to be related to a head gasket leak. The 2022 model had many issues with this problem, however no issues are reported on the 2023 Taos. I have had to find another vehicle to drive and wait 5 days to get it into our local VW dealership, who told us it was OK to drive without even looking at the vehicle. No thank you! We called VW and if in fact this is a head gasket, it would be covered under warranty. These are each pretty serious safety concerns and needs to be reported for future owners of this vehicle. Not interested in another VW after these incidents. We are a first time leaser of them - thank goodness it wasn't a purchase.

POWER TRAIN

2023 VW Taos leased in June 2023 - needed to replace brakes 2 years (June 2025) into owning the car. Inspection would not pass without them. This is an excessively quick wear that cost me over $600 for a leased vehicle that should be just basic ownership during 3 year lease. August 2025 - Brought in for an oil change and a coolant yellow light on dashboard. Our local mechanic would not touch the coolant issue as he said it seems to be related to a head gasket leak. The 2022 model had many issues with this problem, however no issues are reported on the 2023 Taos. I have had to find another vehicle to drive and wait 5 days to get it into our local VW dealership, who told us it was OK to drive without even looking at the vehicle. No thank you! We called VW and if in fact this is a head gasket, it would be covered under warranty. These are each pretty serious safety concerns and needs to be reported for future owners of this vehicle. Not interested in another VW after these incidents. We are a first time leaser of them - thank goodness it wasn't a purchase.

SERVICE BRAKES

2023 VW Taos leased in June 2023 - needed to replace brakes 2 years (June 2025) into owning the car. Inspection would not pass without them. This is an excessively quick wear that cost me over $600 for a leased vehicle that should be just basic ownership during 3 year lease. August 2025 - Brought in for an oil change and a coolant yellow light on dashboard. Our local mechanic would not touch the coolant issue as he said it seems to be related to a head gasket leak. The 2022 model had many issues with this problem, however no issues are reported on the 2023 Taos. I have had to find another vehicle to drive and wait 5 days to get it into our local VW dealership, who told us it was OK to drive without even looking at the vehicle. No thank you! We called VW and if in fact this is a head gasket, it would be covered under warranty. These are each pretty serious safety concerns and needs to be reported for future owners of this vehicle. Not interested in another VW after these incidents. We are a first time leaser of them - thank goodness it wasn't a purchase.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the head gasket. The head gasket was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Later, while driving 55 MPH, the message "Transmission Failure" was displayed and the transmission shifted to D2, causing the vehicle to decelerate to 25 MPH. The vehicle was parked, and after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the Medtronic transmission had failed and needed to be replaced; however, parts were on back order. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 10,185.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the head gasket. The head gasket was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. Later, while driving 55 MPH, the message "Transmission Failure" was displayed and the transmission shifted to D2, causing the vehicle to decelerate to 25 MPH. The vehicle was parked, and after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the Medtronic transmission had failed and needed to be replaced; however, parts were on back order. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 10,185.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

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.

SERVICE 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 with the ACC system or other control systems excessively braking the rear brakes, resulting in early failure. VW has not addressed this issue.

STEERING

My steering wheel does not turn

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

ENGINE

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.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

SERVICE 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.

SERVICE BRAKES

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

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.

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

SERVICE 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.

POWER TRAIN

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

SUSPENSION

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.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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.

ENGINE

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.

SERVICE 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 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.

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle Make/Model/Year: 2023 Volkswagen Taos Component: Service Brakes / Electronic Parking Brake Odometer Reading: ~45,000 miles I am reporting a recurring issue with the rear brake pads on my 2023 Volkswagen Taos. The rear brakes were first replaced at around 25,000K miles due to premature wear and noise. A little over a year later, the brakes are again making noise and showing signs of wear. The issue appears to be affecting many Taos owners based on online forums and published warranty extensions from Volkswagen. Volkswagen has acknowledged premature rear brake pad wear on 2022–2025 Taos models by extending the brake pad warranty to 2 years or 24,000 miles. However, I am now outside of this extended warranty due to mileage, and the manufacturer is declining further coverage, citing "normal wear and tear" — despite this clearly being a design or electronic system defect, not regular use. There is reason to believe the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) or brake bias may be contributing to the excessive rear brake wear. I am concerned that this could pose a safety risk if the brakes fail unexpectedly, and it is also placing an undue financial burden on owners who must replace brakes every year. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue further and determine whether it warrants a broader recall or mandatory service campaign to protect consumer safety.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Accelerating Transmission Shifting When accelerating from a full stop, using same force of pressure on foot to accelerate the vehicles behaves differently every time. Vehicle will rev and have a 1-3 second delay to move the wheels/tires, or have no delay. There is no common variable to know how the vehicle will accelerate from stop to stop. Have tried to narrow down anything unique to identify when this happens but it is sporadic and unknowing how the vehicle will behave. Specifically, have noted if the occurrences are unique to: Slope or incline, humid weather versus dry, fuel type (have always used same), cold temperatures versus warmer or cool, or any unique non-ordinary operating conditions. Safety risk- anytime vehicle is supposed to accelerate. Daily safety risks- We enter a roundabout and attempt to accelerate, and vehicle hesitates for 3 seconds causing us to not enter or risk hitting vehicle oncoming. Vehicle behind attempts ot accelerate as well usually resulting in. honking at us- daily. Left hand turn. Apply pressure to accelerator, and cannot make turn or get hit by oncoming vehicle. Parking lot. Accelerate over speedbump, vehicle lags/rev's, and then rapid acceleration causes vehicle to jolt almost hitting people/animals. Window will go up when switch is in position to lower and vice versa. Issue from day one. Our dog was in vehicle. Window down about 4 inches. At intersection. Went to accelerate which hesitated while holding switch to lower window, and window went up with our dogs nose still between car interior and exterior. Focus was on driving if we could make through intersection and could only imagine if we had a child with their hand out. The above is noted when vehicle has been in for service. Vehicle is currently at dealer and we will not accept vehicle until Volkswagen identifies issues. Known issues with this year and model AWD model.

ENGINE

Accelerating Transmission Shifting When accelerating from a full stop, using same force of pressure on foot to accelerate the vehicles behaves differently every time. Vehicle will rev and have a 1-3 second delay to move the wheels/tires, or have no delay. There is no common variable to know how the vehicle will accelerate from stop to stop. Have tried to narrow down anything unique to identify when this happens but it is sporadic and unknowing how the vehicle will behave. Specifically, have noted if the occurrences are unique to: Slope or incline, humid weather versus dry, fuel type (have always used same), cold temperatures versus warmer or cool, or any unique non-ordinary operating conditions. Safety risk- anytime vehicle is supposed to accelerate. Daily safety risks- We enter a roundabout and attempt to accelerate, and vehicle hesitates for 3 seconds causing us to not enter or risk hitting vehicle oncoming. Vehicle behind attempts ot accelerate as well usually resulting in. honking at us- daily. Left hand turn. Apply pressure to accelerator, and cannot make turn or get hit by oncoming vehicle. Parking lot. Accelerate over speedbump, vehicle lags/rev's, and then rapid acceleration causes vehicle to jolt almost hitting people/animals. Window will go up when switch is in position to lower and vice versa. Issue from day one. Our dog was in vehicle. Window down about 4 inches. At intersection. Went to accelerate which hesitated while holding switch to lower window, and window went up with our dogs nose still between car interior and exterior. Focus was on driving if we could make through intersection and could only imagine if we had a child with their hand out. The above is noted when vehicle has been in for service. Vehicle is currently at dealer and we will not accept vehicle until Volkswagen identifies issues. Known issues with this year and model AWD model.

SERVICE BRAKES

Went to a VW dealer in Sept of 2024. Dealer recommended that I get new rear brakes as they were low. VW had a service bulletin extending the warranty, but the dealer refused to offer warranty work as they were not worn enough even though they said they needed to be replaced. As of March 2025. the rear brakes are now metal on metal with no warning given under 30k miles. This is a known manufacture defect. Volkswagen in March 2025 refused to offer warranty, as it expired a few weeks ago. No warning given and known faulty rear brakes. A major safety issue.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

We purchased our 2023 Taos in Jan of 2024. The vehicle had approximately 24,500 miles when a grinding noise began terminating from the rear wheels. At the time of appointment at Ontario VW vehicle had 25147 miles. we were told that the rear brakes were bad, at 0%, and the rotors were damaged as well. 1. Brakes on cars do not wear rear wheels first. The dealer admitted not that is not normal wear, but adamantly stated the car is in "normal operational mode". However no one will answer why the brakes failed prematurely or who is responsible (except the customer) 2. there is a warranty extension for this problem. This was not discussed at the dealership at any time. I found the extension and called to speak with a manager 3 days later. When asked Dominic Alessi the service manager stated "We don't market "warranty extensions". He self-admitted that his dealership withholds information to customers and engages in deceptive practices to a customer. He further went on and stated, "We are here to sell and fix cars". I had to ask if there was a customer service aspect. In addition he spoke down to the customer and attempted to employ tactics that are considered unethical, dishonest, and eluding to information that was inapplicable (single side failure of the brake system) 3. I contacted VW corporate. I have an email that clearly states that the vehicle will not be fixed, covered, addressed, or any other service. that I need not contact anyone further. in closing I have a VW Taos bought off the lot, brand new. the rear brakes failed without warning until they were grinding. Brakes on a vehicle that are not designed to wear the rear first. There are supposed to be wear indications (squeaking). Despite design the brakes failed 1147 miles at the dealership after a known problem had a warranty extension. No one will address the failed brakes, the poor interactions with a manager, and unwillingness to do the right thing by a corporation.

SERVICE BRAKES

We purchased our 2023 Taos in Jan of 2024. The vehicle had approximately 24,500 miles when a grinding noise began terminating from the rear wheels. At the time of appointment at Ontario VW vehicle had 25147 miles. we were told that the rear brakes were bad, at 0%, and the rotors were damaged as well. 1. Brakes on cars do not wear rear wheels first. The dealer admitted not that is not normal wear, but adamantly stated the car is in "normal operational mode". However no one will answer why the brakes failed prematurely or who is responsible (except the customer) 2. there is a warranty extension for this problem. This was not discussed at the dealership at any time. I found the extension and called to speak with a manager 3 days later. When asked Dominic Alessi the service manager stated "We don't market "warranty extensions". He self-admitted that his dealership withholds information to customers and engages in deceptive practices to a customer. He further went on and stated, "We are here to sell and fix cars". I had to ask if there was a customer service aspect. In addition he spoke down to the customer and attempted to employ tactics that are considered unethical, dishonest, and eluding to information that was inapplicable (single side failure of the brake system) 3. I contacted VW corporate. I have an email that clearly states that the vehicle will not be fixed, covered, addressed, or any other service. that I need not contact anyone further. in closing I have a VW Taos bought off the lot, brand new. the rear brakes failed without warning until they were grinding. Brakes on a vehicle that are not designed to wear the rear first. There are supposed to be wear indications (squeaking). Despite design the brakes failed 1147 miles at the dealership after a known problem had a warranty extension. No one will address the failed brakes, the poor interactions with a manager, and unwillingness to do the right thing by a corporation.

ENGINE

3 times in the past year including today, the car has completely turned off while in drive at a red light or stop sign. It is not the auto start/stop, it simply completely shuts off the car and when I take my foot off the break the car says “shift gear into park and manually restart car” this has almost caused an accident every time and is a safety issue. I reported to dealer, they’ve heard of this before but can’t replicate or find issue. It is not safe for the cars engine to shut off while in drive and have to stop in the middle of road and shift gears and manually restart car. Major safety issue

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.

ENGINE

12,000 mile VW Taos coolent light went off. Faulty Engine coolant gasket failed. Took it into the dealership they also needed to replace the back brakes! Entertainment/radio screen randomly goes off as well. This is the second time it's been taken in because of an issue. Will not bee keeping this car.