2023 Volkswagen Taos problems
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos has 100 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos has 100 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 23 complaints, typically surfacing around 10,000 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Taos | 305 | 4 |
| 2023 Taos (this page) | 100 | 0 |
| 2024 Taos | 48 | 0 |
| 2025 Taos | 9 | 0 |
| 2026 Taos | 1 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2023 Volkswagen Taos SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2023 Volkswagen Taos? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- brakes — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 10,000 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 11,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 10,185 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 7,400 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2023 Volkswagen Taos
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Head gasket failure, car loses combustion, u safe to drive. Engine light has been on for 5 months so far. Dealer has not been able to fix it.
While driving Dec 10, 2024 my VW Taos failed to accelerate after slowing at an intersection. If this happens when I’m turning, on coming traffic has to slow down unexpectedly. The EPC light and check engine light came on. Car would not go above 15-20 mph. Called dealer and…
On 12/20/25, the "lane assist not available" and the "EPC" warning indicators lit up. I was in the car with my 11 year old, we pulled over and looked in the manual to understand EPC, and the manual said it "is possible to continue driving," so we continued. As we entered the…
Rear brake pads and rotors went out twice Noise coming front wheel at low speed Window goes down when you press up
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
On the NHTSA data, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 10,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 100 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 10,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 10,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 10,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volkswagen Taos has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 100 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.