AI Damage2023 Volkswagen Taos: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos filed 110 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and service brakes. The maker issued 319 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 110
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 319
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 39% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 31% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 7% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 43 complaints (39% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Service brakes: 34 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Electrical system: 25 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 12 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 110 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 43 | 0 | 52 |
| Service brakes | 34 | 0 | 17 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 0 | 69 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 16 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 1 | 5 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 65 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Air bags did not deploy after a direct driver side hit, and I was injured because of the accident. Car was declared a total loss by the insurance. The car is being held by State Farm if inspection needs to happen.
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 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.
Marietta Volkswagen diagnosed a failed 5F module; the center display screen is completely inoperative; the rearview/backup-camera image therefore does not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse; VW says the module is on national backorder with no ETA; and the vehicle is being used by a [XXX] driver.
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).
I notice that there is a Technical Service Bulletin 15-23-01 rather than an official safety recall on 2022 and 2023 Taos 1.5T for head gasket coolant leak. There are many complaints regarding this issue on many message boards. We all fear that this problem will intensify as we all move out of powertrain warranty.
First was A/C was not cool enough. They found a leak. In June 2026, I had to bring due to the engine light being on. They found out EVAP fuel leak detection pump being faulty. And less than 1 month later (July 2026), once again the engine light came on.
I am concerned this may indicate a defect involving the rear braking system, electronic parking brake, brake bias, calipers, or related components. The recurring premature rear brake wear has created repeated repair costs and raises concern that the braking system may not be functioning as designed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 536 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Taos has 71 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 110, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Update ECM Control Module Programming
- Suggested fuel additive
- Heat Sensative Trouble Shooting Explanation
- Remove Key FOB battery for 20 seconds to restore proper operation
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided
- This OTA update provides improvements to connectivity stability and OCU module diagnostics, which will…
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 prerequisite for future…
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during…
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: Part number 3Q0-959-435N software…
- Repair or Replace Information
- Brake rotor resurfacing
- Warranty Alignment Worksheet
- Replacement instruction
- Differences between a leak and seepage
NHTSA lists 319 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 110. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (26%), infotainment or screen glitches (10%), overheating, coolant loss (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
NHTSA lists 319 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 Volkswagen Taos from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.