Loss of coolant from a known problematic head gasket issue. Car has only 38,000 miles on it Car can overheat Yes Volkswagen dealership know about this issue Yes it has been inspected and Yes it flashed the low coolant icon
2022 Volkswagen Taos: engine overheating
24 of the 326 complaints about the 2022 Volkswagen Taos describe engine overheating.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- recalls
- 2
Engine overheating by model year
- 20241
- 20239
- 202224
What owners say
This vehicle has a known manufacturer defect of the head gasket, causing coolant to leak out, and possible engine overheating. This issue was announced in a service bulletin by Volkswagen in 2023 but a recall was not issued. I did not find out about this until after my warranty expired, and the dealership recommended a $5,000 replacement.
Per VW TSB 15-23-01, Volkswagen explicitly admits that the original engine production head gasket design is defective. A leaking head gasket can cause sudden engine overheating, power loss, or catastrophic engine failure while driving. This seems like a major , dangerous issue that should be covered under a recall
While driving at highway speeds, the a low coolant caution light came on. We immediately pulled over before the engine overheated and added coolant and brought the vehicle in for repairs. This Taos currently has 43,000 miles and needs its head gasket replaced for the SECOND time. The first head gasket was replaced on 12/23 with 16,000 miles under a technical bulletin by VW. This is a know issue for this vehicle. With a head gasket failure, this can lead to engine overheating and seizing. This needs to be a recall.
This vehicle has ongoing drivability issues that have not been resolved despite multiple repair attempts involving engine-related components and repairs. The issue began in November 2024 while the vehicle was under warranty with coolant and engine warnings. At that time, I reported coolant loss, warning messages, hesitation during acceleration, and abnormal vehicle vibration. I was initially told no issue existed. Shortly after warranty expiration, the vehicle required a major head gasket repair in 2025 after continuing to exhibit the same coolant-related issues. In 2026, the vehicle required an additional engine-related repair involving a camshaft seal in the same area of the engine that had previously been dismantled and rebuilt. Despite these repairs, the same drivability symptoms remain. The vehicle intermittently hesitates during acceleration, particularly from a stop or during merging conditions, where engine RPM increases significantly before the vehicle responds. The vehicle also exhibits significant steering wheel and seat vibration at highway speeds and during extended driving. These conditions create a potential safety concern because the vehicle does not consistently respond as expected during acceleration and becomes unstable and uncomfortable to operate at highway speeds. The hesitation creates concern when entering traffic, crossing intersections, or attempting to accelerate in situations requiring predictable vehicle response. The issue has been repeatedly presented to the dealership and repair attempts have been performed, including major engine work, but the condition remains unresolved. The repairs were treated as separate isolated issues rather than a continuation of the original condition first reported under warranty. The vehicle has been out of service for approximately 43 days across these repairs. No loaner vehicle was provided during those periods. The vehicle remains in its current condition with unresolved issues.
I am reporting a repeated safety-related defect involving exhaust intrusion into the cabin of my 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The vehicle experienced loss of power, coolant loss, and engine warning indicators, and was serviced twice by Volkswagen Southtowne in Sandy, Utah. First Incident – Vehicle Returned as “Safe to Drive” During the first repair visit, the dealer diagnosed issues involving the manifold/exhaust area, head gasket, coolant system, and catalytic converter. After keeping the vehicle for an extended period, the dealership informed me the vehicle was “safe to drive,” although the repair was not fully completed. I relied on this representation. After the vehicle was returned to me, I began experiencing significant physical symptoms only while driving the vehicle, including nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. These symptoms occurred repeatedly during operation and would subside after leaving the vehicle. At the time, I did not understand that these symptoms were caused by exhaust entering the cabin. Second Incident – Defect Confirmed and Additional Repairs Performed Weeks later, the symptoms persisted and I returned the vehicle to the same dealership. At this second visit, the dealer reported coolant leakage and additional gasket failures. They removed the cylinder head, replaced gaskets, and performed additional exhaust-related repairs. I was provided a loaner vehicle during this extended repair. After this second repair, the symptoms while driving stopped. Safety Concern Based on the timing of symptoms, the repair records, and the resolution following the second repair, I believe that exhaust gases were entering the cabin of the vehicle during normal operation for an extended period. This created a significant safety hazard. I was repeatedly assured the vehicle was “safe to drive” when it was not. I unknowingly operated the vehicle while being exposed to exhaust fumes for several months. The condition caused physical illness, impaired my ability.
2022 Volkswagen Taos SE 1.5T (DNKA engine, <60,000 miles, <5 years old) developed internal coolant leak from cylinder head gasket. On 11/03/2025 Smith Volkswagen, Wilmington, DE (RO 692953/1) performed coolant system pressure test and confirmed leak coming from cylinder head gasket area at rear of engine below turbo (exactly as shown in Figures 1 & 2 of VW TSB 15-23-01). Dealer noted possible related engine damage that may require complete engine replacement in addition to head gasket. Vehicle available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: loss of coolant can cause sudden engine overheating, power loss, or seizure while driving, creating risk of crash, stranding, or fire. Symptoms began November 2025 with “Check Coolant” warning; reservoir was below MIN. Added coolant once; warning has not returned, but pressure test proved ongoing internal leak. No visible external drips. This exact failure is a known manufacturing defect per Volkswagen Technical Service Bulletin 15-23-01 (Transaction 2071245/1, issued 08/17/2023), which states: “Original engine production head gasket design can lead to coolant leaks” and was redesigned as of engine DNKA 234 458 (July 27, 2023). Despite VW’s own bulletin documenting the defective gasket in all 2022–2023 Taos/Jetta 1.5T engines built before the fix, VW classifies the TSB as “information only” with no warranty coverage. VW Goodwill offered only 50% assistance on the $4,927 head gasket replacement and nothing toward a potential full engine replacement, leaving owner responsible for thousands of dollars in repairs on a documented factory defect in a low-mileage, young vehicle.
2022 VW Taos Head Gasket failure at 63,000 miles. Coolant leaking. Potential for engine seizure/fire. Manufacturer is aware of defect (TSB 2071245/1) but refuses to assist.
The vehicle has ongoing acceleration delay and jerking under normal driving, along with repeated premature rear brake wear and a major coolant leak that required head gasket replacement. The most recent incident occurred on August 8, 2025, immediately after picking up the vehicle from a service visit for the acceleration concern. Two separate throttle delays with a sudden jerk forward occurred at approximately 5:47 PM and 5:50 PM in moderate city traffic at 79°F. These incidents put my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk, as delayed acceleration can prevent safe merging, crossing, or passing. Within the first 25,000 miles of ownership, the vehicle has also required one rear brake replacement and a second replacement was recommended due to premature wear, which could reduce braking performance and stopping distance. Additionally, a coolant leak ultimately required head gasket replacement. Suspension components, including a knuckle, have also been replaced under warranty. The acceleration problem has been reported to authorized Volkswagen dealers, but was documented as “could not reproduce” despite occurring minutes after pickup. Coolant leak and brake issues have been confirmed and repaired or recommended for repair by dealers. There were no warning lights or error messages prior to the acceleration incidents.
Light came on for leak detection pump failure upon starting car. Drove to dealer directly immediately upon looking up indicator light. Felt as if care was misfiring Deal found fuel pump in need of recall repair. Dealer also found coolant leak and recommended engine teardown. Diagnostic found block deck warp over permissible range 0.05m. Requiring full engine replacement. No previous indication of issue, leaking, or over heating. No cause of warp known or can be given. 60K miles on car.
- The head gasket failed twice in less than one year on my 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The vehicle also experienced a fuel pump failure, rear brake pad wear down to metal-on-metal, and the underbody panel detached while driving due to being improperly secured after a dealership repair. Yes, the components may be available for inspection upon request through the dealership. - The second head gasket failure resulted in coolant loss, which can lead to engine overheating and potential failure while driving. The underbody panel detached while I was on the freeway, posing a serious safety hazard to me and other drivers. The brake system issues, including vibration and scraping noises, raise concern about brake reliability and stopping ability. - Yes, all issues were confirmed and addressed by authorized Volkswagen dealerships: DeMontrond Volkswagen (Conroe, TX) and Momentum Volkswagen (Houston, TX). - The vehicle has been inspected and repaired multiple times by Volkswagen-certified service technicians. No inspections by police or insurance have taken place. - No warning lamps appeared before the head gasket failures. The brake issues were first noticed as vibrations in the brake pedal after a service visit, followed by scraping noises, which were later diagnosed as metal-to-metal contact. The underbody panel incident occurred suddenly after leaving the dealership.
The radiator was broken due to a rock hitting it while simply driving down the road out of town and wasn’t covered by warranty. My engine started overheating and has been overheating every now and then ever since now due to coolant leaking because of a head gasket leak. Oh and that’s not covered by warranty now either.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.
- Checking engine oil level.
- Reprogramming Control Module process
- Engine missfire diagnostic aid
- Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants
- When replacing Evaporative Emissions System components, it is not always necessary to replace the entire...
- Update ECM Control Module Programming
- Suggested fuel additive
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM): software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 22V687000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM): software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 21V615000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2022 Volkswagen Taos overheating
Is engine overheating a common problem on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos?
24 of 326 owner complaints about the 2022 Volkswagen Taos (7%) mention engine overheating. The model year with the most reports is 2022.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos?
There are 2 recalls and 138 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos
Check engine light 66Stalling 37Jerking 21Engine failure 13Screen failure 13Loss of power 13Premature wear 13Backup camera 12Grinding brakes 10Won't shift 10Hesitation 9Start-stop 9Adaptive cruise 8Misfire 8Fuel smell 6ABS 5Brake failure 5Fuel pump 5Lane assist 5
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