YearToAvoid

Volkswagen Taos Best and Worst Years (2022–2025)

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos is the year to avoid, with 316 complaints, a complaint index of 100, 6 recalls, and engine problems reported at a median 21,000 miles. The 2025 model is the best year, with just 11 complaints and a complaint index of 0.

Avoid 2022Best 2025

Model years
4
2022–2025
NHTSA complaints
489
Recall campaigns
8
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Top problem area
Engine

Taos Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volkswagen Taos problems and recalls by year

YearVerdictIndexComplaintsCrashesFiresRecallsTop issueMPGNCAP
2022Avoid100316406Engine29.54★
2023Caution67109200Engine29.54★
2024Good3353100Brakes294★
2025Best011202Electrical System29.54★

Taos years to avoid: what went wrong

2022 Volkswagen Taos Index 100 · 316 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2022 Taos leads all years with 316 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup. Engine issues make up 51% of its problem reports, with a median failure mileage around 22,000 miles; owners describe stalling and unintended acceleration from a stop. Brakes (20%) and fuel system (20%) issues followed, including a fuel delivery pump recall (23V214000) tied to sudden engine stalls. An ECU software recall (22V687000) addressed stalling in all-wheel-drive models, and an infotainment software recall (22V514000) also applied. Six recalls total were issued for this year, more than any other Taos model year.

2022 engine problems →2022 brakes problems →2022 fuel system problems →

Most common Volkswagen Taos problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

  1. Engine230 (47%)
  2. Brakes115 (24%)
  3. Electrical System102 (21%)
  4. Fuel System84 (17%)
  5. Other72 (15%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain66 (13%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras34 (7%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (3%)
  9. Structure & Body12 (2%)
  10. Airbags11 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Volkswagen Taos should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 Volkswagen Taos is the year to avoid, with 316 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest among all Taos model years.
Is the 2025 Volkswagen Taos reliable?
The 2025 Taos has the lowest complaint index (0) and just 11 complaints reported to NHTSA, making it the best-performing Taos year in this comparison.
Does the 2022 Volkswagen Taos have recalls?
Yes. The 2022 Taos has 6 recall campaigns, including a fuel delivery pump recall (23V214000) for sudden engine stalls and an ECU software recall (22V687000) for stalling in all-wheel-drive models.
What is the most common problem with the Volkswagen Taos?
Across all model years, engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 230 complaints, or 47% of all reports to NHTSA.
Is the 2023 Volkswagen Taos a safe choice?
The 2023 Taos carries a Caution verdict, with 109 complaints and a complaint index of 67, better than 2022 but still above the newer 2024 and 2025 model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.