Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
moderate 76 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
All 2 active engine recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Engine accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
An engine that stalls may increase the risk of a crash.
Buyer takeaway: The 2022 Taos has documented widespread engine problems: coolant-leaking head gaskets (starting around 13,000 miles despite TSB acknowledgment and no recall), recurring check engine lights that dealers cannot resolve, sudden unannounced stalling with loss of power steering, and acceleration hesitation that multiple fuel grades and software updates don't fix. Repairs are expensive ($4,000–$5,200 for head gasket alone), parts are frequently backordered, and many owners find themselves out of warranty when dealers finally diagnose the problem.
The 2022 Taos engine is plagued by multiple interconnected failures that dealers struggle to diagnose and fix. The most common issue is head gasket leakage, which begins as early as 7,700 miles with low coolant warnings. Owners repeatedly bring vehicles to dealers for coolant top-offs, only to be told the issue is normal or that no leak exists. Eventually, dealerships diagnose a failed head gasket requiring replacement—a $4,000–$5,200 job with parts frequently on backorder for months. VW issued Technical Service Bulletin 2071245/1 in August 2023 acknowledging that the original engine production head gasket design causes coolant leaks, yet no recall has been issued.
Check engine lights plague these vehicles, often returning within days of dealer "repairs." Owners report multiple dealership visits spanning over a year with no permanent resolution and no root cause identified. Separately, owners describe sudden engine stalling without warning—sometimes on highways at 70+ mph—with loss of power steering and brakes, creating hazardous situations. Acceleration is erratic: hesitation at takeoff, no response on initial pedal input, then aggressive surging. Fuel-grade experiments and software updates don't resolve it.
The EVAP and fuel systems also fail, and one owner's vehicle required full engine replacement at 60,000 miles after a block deck warp was discovered during fuel-pump recall work. Throughout these issues, dealers either cannot reproduce problems, find no fault codes, or offer ineffective repairs that fail within days.
Same Volkswagen Taos engine reports on nearby years: 2023
Owners report coolant loss starting as early as 7,700 miles and continuing throughout ownership. Dealerships initially dismiss the issue as normal or misdiagnose it (blaming the cap, claiming evaporation, or finding no visible leaks). When properly diagnosed, the head gasket is found to be leaking from the rear seal or failing prematurely due to what owners cite as a known design defect. VW released TSB 2071245/1 acknowledging the original engine production head gasket design can lead to coolant leaks, yet no recall has been issued. Repairs require head gasket replacement at $4,000–$5,200 and often involve multiple dealership visits spanning months before parts arrive (frequently on backorder). Owners report the issue occurs despite being under warranty in many cases, yet some dealers deny coverage once warranty expires.
When: 13,000–87,100 miles; commonly appears 7,700–20,000 miles; one report at 5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low coolant warning light illuminates intermittently or repeatedly; Coolant level drops every 1–3 months requiring refills of 6–8 ounces to several gallons; Check engine light activation (sometimes delayed weeks after coolant symptoms begin); Burning smell from the engine compartment; Engine overheating risk if coolant depletion continues unchecked
Codes mentioned: Low coolant warning lamp, Check engine light (code not specified in most complaints; one mentions DNKA), P019600 (engine oil temperature sensor fault, noted in one repair)
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement; parts frequently on backorder with no known ETA. Repair time 3–7 days once parts arrive. Cost: $4,000–$5,200. One owner reported engine block deck warp requiring full engine replacement at 60,000 miles. One instance required radiator and hose replacement in addition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 2071245/1 issued August 2023 for head gasket leakage on 2022 Taos and 2022 Jetta. VW has not issued a recall despite acknowledging the design defect. No warranty extension offered. Owners report VW initially claimed no awareness of the issue; dealers sometimes refer customers back to VW and vice versa. Some dealerships refuse warranty coverage once mileage exceeds coverage limits, despite the defect being present from low miles.
Owners report sudden, unannounced engine stalling while driving at highway and city speeds. In several cases, loss of power steering and braking occurs simultaneously, creating extreme safety hazards. Events happen without prior warning lights or symptoms. Some owners describe the engine 'wanting to shut off' or losing acceleration mid-maneuver. After stalling, the vehicle requires multiple restart attempts before operating normally. One owner reported a crash resulting from inability to stop (brakes failed) following engine stall at low speed in a parking lot. Dealers are frequently unable to reproduce or diagnose the issue, citing no fault codes present. The pattern suggests an intermittent electrical or fuel system fault.
When: Reported from 5,000 miles to 87,100 miles; several instances in first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while driving; Complete loss of acceleration and power; Power steering and power brake failure simultaneous with stalling (noted in at least two complaints); Vehicle operates in limp mode or with severely reduced power after restart; Multiple restart attempts required before normal operation resumes; No warning lamps prior to event in most cases
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (illuminated during/after stall), Electronic Stability Protection warning light, Shift to Park warning message (noted in one instance)
Repairs/costs cited: One instance diagnosed as failed evap purge solenoid; replaced but failure recurred. Multiple complaints report no diagnosis available from dealers despite vehicle inspection. One owner's vehicle involved in collision (deemed total loss) after stall prevented braking.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in several cases; one owner reported VW is aware of the issue for AWD models but blamed FWD. No recalls issued. One owner was informed their VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign 21V615000 despite stalling symptoms matching the campaign scope. Dealers typically refer customers back to manufacturer or claim the issue cannot be reproduced.
Owners describe delayed or absent throttle response at takeoff and during highway merging. The vehicle hesitates 1–2 seconds before moving, or fails to respond to pedal input entirely on first or second attempt, then surges aggressively on the third attempt or when pressed harder. Acceleration is erratic—alternating between sluggish and aggressive. The issue affects both smooth driving and safety-critical maneuvers like lane changes on busy highways. In one case, the vehicle would not accelerate during a left turn in traffic, forcing the owner to wait. Some owners report the problem worsens with auto start/stop engaged. Dealers frequently claim the cause is 'bad fuel' (despite multiple fuel brands and grades tested) or attribute it to software issues. One dealer service manager told an owner that all VW models exhibit this behavior.
When: Reported from 9,000 miles onward; in some cases during first few months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: 1–2 second hesitation or lag at takeoff from complete stop; No throttle response on initial pedal input; requires multiple attempts; Inconsistent acceleration response between drives; Aggressive, hard shifts following sluggish acceleration; Jerking or surging when accelerating from stop; Sluggish acceleration on highway during lane-change or passing maneuvers; Difficult-to-drive-smoothly overall character
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (not specified; one complaint mentions 'bad fuel' OBD reading), No fault codes found in most dealer diagnostics
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have applied fuel-system cleaners, performed software updates, and attempted fuel-grade experiments (87, 91, 94 octane). Owner reports these steps provide little or no resolution. One service manager suggested switching to higher octane despite the vehicle's 87-octane specification.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW customer service has been contacted; one owner reported being told that all VW models have this issue. Software updates have been installed with minimal improvement. No recall or service bulletin specifically addressing acceleration hesitation is cited in these narratives.
Owners report a persistent check engine light that either remains illuminated indefinitely or returns repeatedly after dealer 'repairs' claim to have resolved it. In some cases, the light is accompanied by EPC (Electronic Power Control) warnings and other dashboard alerts including lane-control and yellow-triangle exclamation-mark lights. Multiple dealership visits (as many as six over one year) fail to permanently resolve the issue. In one case, the same problem recurred the day after pickup from the dealership multiple times. Dealers report no fault codes found or cite vague diagnoses (such as 'bad fuel') that do not address the root cause. One owner has had the vehicle at the dealership for extended periods (months) awaiting diagnosis or repair with no resolution. Another owner reports the issue began after a software update and has never been resolved in the 1+ year of ownership.
When: Reported from 4,300 miles through multiple years of ownership; recurring in some cases weekly or monthly
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates and remains on; Check engine light returns within days or weeks after dealer 'repair'; EPC (Electronic Power Control) warning light; Lane-control warning light; Yellow-triangle exclamation-mark warning light; Potential engine stumble, shaking, or sluggish behavior while light is active; Light clears briefly after engine restart in some cases, then returns
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (root cause not determined in most cases), EPC warning light, P019600 (engine oil temperature sensor fault, one instance), Cylinder #3 misfire (one instance; cause not determined)
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs attempted include: N80 valve replacement, engine wiring harness replacement, fuel injector replacement, intake manifold replacement, EVAP solenoid replacement, and ECM software updates. In multiple cases, these repairs do not resolve the illumination or prevent recurrence. One vehicle has been at a dealership since May 2025 with no diagnosis or estimated completion date.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VW service bulletins referenced but not fully applied or effective. Software updates and ECM recalibrations performed with minimal lasting benefit. Manufacturers and dealers often refer customers back to the other party for diagnosis. One owner was denied entry into NHTSA recall campaign 21V615000 despite matching symptoms. No manufacturer loaners or rental cars provided in most cases despite extended repair times.
Owners report the automatic start/stop feature failing to disable, malfunctioning during normal driving, or causing hesitation and stalling behavior. In one detailed narrative, the driver reports that when start/stop remains engaged and the driver attempts to accelerate, the engine stutters and the check engine light flashes on and off repeatedly. Disabling auto start/stop resolves the stutter temporarily for a few months, but the issue recurs. Dealers have replaced components and updated software, but the feature remains problematic in some cases—showing no fault codes present despite clear malfunction.
When: Reported from early ownership; recurring or persistent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Auto start/stop engages when it should not or at inappropriate times; Engine hesitation or stutter when accelerating with auto start/stop active; Check engine light flashing on and off with pedal input; Feature disables or malfunctions erratically after software updates; Drivers forced to manually disable auto start/stop to prevent stalling
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (flashing while accelerating with auto start/stop engaged), No fault codes found by dealers in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have applied software updates and attempted diagnostics, but no permanent fix identified. One owner reports manually disabling auto start/stop every vehicle startup as a temporary workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software updates issued; no effective permanent resolution documented in complaints. Dealers report no fault codes and cannot diagnose the root cause.
Owners report check engine lights attributed to fuel-system faults, failed EVAP components, and fuel-pump issues. One owner had a fuel-pump recall repair performed and the vehicle was later found to have an engine block warp (cause unknown). Another reports an EVAP leak-detection pump failure and, upon teardown, a block deck warp exceeding permissible range, requiring full engine replacement. A third owner reports an EVAP solenoid failure causing stalling at a stop sign, which recurred after replacement. Owners also report EVAP system hoses and canister regulator valve issues with check engine lights that remained unresolved.
When: Reported from 9,019 miles through 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light for fuel or EVAP system faults; Leak detection pump warning light; Engine stalling related to EVAP solenoid failure; No visible fuel leaks but check engine light persists
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (fuel system or EVAP-related), Leak detection pump failure code, EVAP solenoid fault
Repairs/costs cited: EVAP solenoid replaced; failure recurred. One fuel-pump recall repair led to discovery of block deck warp (0.05 mm out of tolerance) requiring full engine replacement at 60,000 miles. EVAP hoses and canister regulator valve components replaced in one instance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One EVAP solenoid repair was performed under recall, but the failure recurred with no explanation. No recall issued for EVAP system hose or canister issues.
Owners report steady coolant loss (6–8 ounces per 2–3 months, or up to 3 gallons over a few weeks) despite multiple dealer pressure tests and visual inspections finding no external leaks. Dealerships initially dismiss the loss as 'normal' for the model or attribute it to improper cap installation. When eventually diagnosed, the issue is traced to head gasket internal leakage or, in one case, a failed oil separator. Owners suspect slow internal head gasket weeping rather than a catastrophic leak.
When: Reported from 18,000–56,000 miles in most cases; one case as early as first few months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant level drops 6–8 ounces per 2–3 months despite no visible leak; Low coolant warning light after topping off; No external coolant puddles or visible seeping; Recurring low coolant warnings despite dealer claims of 'no leak found'; Burning smell or overheating risk if consumption continues
Codes mentioned: Low coolant warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Pressure tests performed multiple times with no leak found externally. Eventually diagnosed as internal head gasket leak or oil separator failure requiring component replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships initially told owners the consumption is normal; later diagnosis reveals the head gasket issue. TSB 2071245/1 acknowledges design-defect head gaskets.
Owners report the engine running roughly, shaking, vibrating abnormally, or misfiring. One owner describes the car 'shaking when hitting the gas' and the 'engine seeming to give out.' Another reports rough driving at various speeds with EPC and check engine lights, resolving after restart but recurring. A third describes a cylinder #3 misfire with the vehicle operating in limp mode and difficult steering control during the event. In one case, the vehicle was found to require engine wiring harness, fuel injector, and intake manifold replacement, yet the cause of the misfire was not determined and the issue may have continued.
When: Reported from 20,896 miles onward, including early ownership and higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shakes or vibrates abnormally during acceleration or normal driving; Rough idle or running; Cylinder misfire (cylinder #3 noted in one case); Vehicle difficult to steer or control during shaking events; Vehicle enters limp mode with reduced power during rough running
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, EPC warning light, Cylinder #3 misfire (specific code not provided in narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: In one case, engine wiring harness, fuel injectors, and intake manifold replaced without determining root cause. In another, the cause of misfire was unresolved. No permanent resolution documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases; no effective remedies documented.
Synthesized from 76 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
I purchased a 2022 Volkswagen Taos from TOM‘s VW, Union, New Jersey on Sep 23, 2023. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had approximately 19000 miles. Unfortunately, I experienced the engine light illuminating after starting the car at the end of October 2024. I brought this issue to Tom's VW's attention in Nov, 2024 - 1) I made an appointment with Tom's VW, and the first time I went to the…
Head gasket leak. Went from zero issues with coolant whatsoever to the car smelling like it was burning after being turned on and being deemed unsafe to drive requiring a tow to the dealership for repair. Once there, head gasket replacement deemed necessary. Seems to have been a very an abrupt change. Luckily in this instance the car was parked and did not actually catch fire but I am concerned…
2022 taos using coolant. Originally believed to be head gasket could as well be burning. At this time we are not sure a head gasket will make a difference. Dealership stated to keep coolant with to keep from over heating. 61,XXX miles in the vehicle. Did discuss pressure issues with the dealer about a year ago but they could not find the issue
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 76 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 20,896 and 38,000 miles, with the median around 24,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,896; a quarter make it past 38,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.