Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 486 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.9 times the median Taos year — the 2022 model ranks #1 of 5 Taos years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Engine leads the complaint categories with 146 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.
486
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
0
Investigations
8
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
4
NCAP overall · of 5 stars
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 146 | 30% | new |
| Brakes | 63 | 13% | new |
| Fuel System | 59 | 12% | new |
| Electrical System | 57 | 12% | new |
| Transmission | 48 | 10% | new |
| Other | 42 | 9% | new |
| Driver Assistance | 22 | 5% | new |
| Speed Control | 17 | 3% | new |
| Airbags | 8 | 2% | new |
| Body & Structure | 6 | 1% | new |
| Visibility & Wipers | 4 | 1% | new |
| Steering | 4 | 1% | new |
| Suspension | 3 | 1% | new |
| Lighting | 3 | 1% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 0% | new |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | new |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | new |
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 TAOS vehicles. The fuel delivery pump may break, which could cause a sudden engine stall.
Consequence
A sudden engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DV.
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 TAOS vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The engine control unit (ECU) software may cause a stall when coming to a stop.
Consequence
An engine that stalls may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iL.
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan, Taos, and 2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. A second notice will be sent once remedy parts become available. The left or right rear suspension knuckles may corrode, crack, and break.
Consequence
A broken rear suspension knuckle can cause a loss of stability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both rear suspension knuckles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 13, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42L8.
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Taos vehicles. The underhood fuel supply quick-connector may detach from the fuel supply line causing a fuel leak in the engine compartment.
Consequence
A fuel leak may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the connection and replace the fuel supply line and connector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DB.
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Taos vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The engine control unit (ECU) software may cause a stall when coming to a stop.
Consequence
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 5, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24HH.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“The contact owned a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated while driving in the parking lot at work, the engine stalled, she turned the vehicle off, waited to restart the vehicle, and drove the vehicle but could not stop. The contact crashed into the fence. There was no warning light illuminated.…”
“The contact owned a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated while driving in the parking lot at work, the engine stalled, she turned the vehicle off, waited to restart the vehicle, and drove the vehicle but could not stop. The contact crashed into the fence. There was no warning light illuminated.…”
“The vehicle has a lag that keeps it from properly accelerating from a stop, it also seems like there might be an issue with the transmission because the vehicle will jerk back and forth when letting off of the gas like it is a manual transmission but it is an automatic transmission. It seems like…”
“Vehicle was involved in a front end collision with left front impact. Damage spread across front of vehicle. Air bags did not deploy. Vehicle has been having electrical issues recently. Head unit will do âhard resetâ while driving disabling all safety features. Car also will alert fob not…”
“In the two years I have had this car it has gone into limp home mode stating âstart/stop errorâ while I am drivig the vehicle. I have taken it to my dealership and they will not do anything to fix the problem. The vehicle has also cut off twice while I am driving it with no warning lights which…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 486 complaints put the 2022 model at #1 of 5 Taos years. It is one of the Taos years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (146 complaints), brakes (63 complaints), fuel system (59 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 Volkswagen Taos. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Taos years to avoid are 2022, 2023. The cleanest record among Taos years belongs to 2026.
In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.