2023 Volkswagen Taos: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2023 Volkswagen Taos? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 93 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2023 Volkswagen Taos Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2023 Volkswagen Taos trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2023 Volkswagen Taos Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2023 Volkswagen Taos SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos has 93 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Minor Issues.
- Make
- Volkswagen
- Model
- Taos
- Model year
- 2023
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 93
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Minor Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 31
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 28 / 36
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2023 Volkswagen Taos Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Brake System
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Brake System, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2023 Volkswagen Taos?
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2023 Volkswagen Taos
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and brake system before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported engine or brake repairs.
- Test drive to check for brake responsiveness and engine performance.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and brake system before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported engine or brake repairs.
- Test drive to check for brake responsiveness and engine performance.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2023 Volkswagen Taos, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos are concentrated in engine and brake system issues, with a moderate number of electrical faults. The data suggests potential concerns with these components, but the low confidence level and single model year limit strong conclusions.
- Engine Problems account for the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Brake System complaints are the second most reported issue.
- Electrical Faults are also frequently reported.
- There is only one crash-related complaint out of 93 total.
- Engine Problems
- Brake System
- Electrical Faults
All 2023 Volkswagen Taos Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 41 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 30 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
On April 27, 2025, in [XXX] , the vehicle displayed a low coolant warning in the morning. The owner replenished the coolant as instructed, the warning cleared, and the vehicle was driven to work without incident. Later that day, while traveling southbound on [XXX] at approximate…
SUMMARY OF SAFETY HAZARD: I am reporting a catastrophic and unpredictable loss of motive power in a 2023 Volkswagen Taos (4Motion with DQ381 DSG Transmission). The vehicle presents a critical electronic sensor failure within the transmission mechatronics unit that causes the veh…
This vehicle has a known design flaw which causes the cylinder gasket to leak and require replacement. VW has only issued a Technical Service Notice which was no provided to owners regarding the part that needed replacement. They are correcting the problem with a differently desi…
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.
Rear brake wearing out extremely fast. No warning from VW Replaced twice in 40 000
Cylinder head gaskets) replaced - Cylinder head serviced/repaired - Timing belt replaced
Started driving, engine light comes on and it shows error code “start/stop error” Car won’t go past 30pmh.
I took the vehicle in to the VW dealership for service on 06/30/25 and they found that the head gasket had failed after only 26500 miles. A failed head gasket could lead to engine failure during operation which would create a significant safety issue.
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…
I was driving home from work in rush hour so traffic was pretty heavy and all of the sudden my gas pedal would not accelerate my car at all. I was cruising at 8-10 MPH as it was stop and go traffic. About 10 seconds later my break pedal stiffens and I am unable to break. Neither…
Rear brake pads needed replaced at 16,000 miles and need replaced again at 50,000. VW refuses to replace them or address the issue since the car is no longer under warranty.
head gasket is leaking - dealer won't acknowlege the problem - coolant leaking into oil- low coolant light comes on
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.
I purchased this car on 11/16/2023, brand new with 32 miles on it. On 11/20/2023 the automatic start-stop failed while I was at an intersection and the car would not move. There were no warning lights, messages, or other symptoms of the problem. Fortunately a police officer drove…
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 free…
I am reporting a 2023 Volkswagen Taos, VIN [XXX] , purchased new on [XXX]. The vehicle has shut off completely while driving three times, each time with multiple warning lights. Incident 1 – [XXX]: Engine shut off while driving. The dealership told me it was “safe to drive in” an…
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 almos…
Rear brake pads and rotors worn out at 32000 miles. Rear brake pads originally worn out and replaced under warranty at 16800 miles. Dealership states that the issue is no longer covered under warranty. This excessive wear is a safety concern as it points to a design flaw in th…
Premature tire wear. OEM tires worn out after 32000 miles. Dealership states that tires are worn out and need to be replaced. Tires wearing out this fast indicates a problem in the suspension design of the vehicle that could lead to decreased traction and handling and contribu…
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 a…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos.
2023 Volkswagen Taos Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2023 Volkswagen Taos Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos reliable?▾
Minor Issues. NHTSA currently shows 93 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2023 Volkswagen Taos looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?▾
#1: Engine Problems (41 complaints). #2: Brake System (30 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (20 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2023 Volkswagen Taos, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 93 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Volkswagen Taos have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2023 Volkswagen Taos in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2023 Volkswagen Taos?▾
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Taos reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2023 Volkswagen Taos based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.