On [XXX], while driving through [XXX] in high-speed highway traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of throttle response and engine power. The instrument cluster displayed a solid Check Engine light alongside an Electronic Power Control (EPC) warning light and assist system failure notifications. The complete loss of acceleration forced the driver to coast across active highway lanes onto a dangerous shoulder, creating an immediate and severe collision risk. This sudden loss-of-drive-power symptom mirrors the safety hazard detailed under the federal safety agency Recall #23V‑214 (VW Campaign 20DV). This breakdown is the third major powertrain failure on this vehicle across just 13,382 miles of ownership. Prior dealer-serviced failures include a failed camshaft seal requiring replacement (Feb 2025) and a complete Transmission Mechatronic Unit replacement (Aug 2025). 100% of all mechanical service and maintenance has been performed exclusively at an authorized Volkswagen dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection. Volkswagen of America and the dealer have been formally notified under active Case #[XXX] but have failed to remedy the vehicle or provide safe replacement transportation. This vehicle is still under factory warranty and CPO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2022 Volkswagen Taos transmission problems
52 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 52
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Volkswagen Taos transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2022 Volkswagen Taos owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The transmission completely failed, first it was showing emergency transmission in safe mode messages, if you stopped the car turned it off and back on it would go away. After getting a transmission flush the day after my car's transmission completely failed...leaving me in the middle of the road with no power to go forward or backwards. I got towed back to the dealership and am basically being told to replace the transmission entirely with no reason as to why this has happened at only 57,000 miles. Yes it is available for inspection if needed at the dealership. My safety was put at risk because I was stranded in the middle of the road with no way to move my car without towing it. There are other reproductions of this from other customers online I found with similar issues. It has only been inspected by the dealership. There were "emergency transmission in safe mode" messages 2 days prior to the trip to the dealership.
A recurring fuel-odor and drivability problem began while the vehicle was under manufacturer warranty and was never permanently resolved. In September 2022, a Volkswagen dealer documented code P2421 for an EVAP system vent valve stuck open and performed a software update. In June 2024, another Volkswagen dealer documented a strong fuel smell intermittently entering the passenger compartment but found no leak and made no repair. In April 2025, the vehicle was reported to sputter when accelerating from a stop. In July 2025, fuel odor at startup, poor fuel economy, and slow acceleration were again reported, but no leak was found and the vehicle was declared to be operating normally. In June 2026, the vehicle developed an EPC warning and codes P0316 and P0302, resulting in diagnosis of a cylinder 2 injector problem. In September 2026, another repair facility documented continued gas smell, hesitation, possible misfire, cold-start code P0316, and a damaged intake-pipe O-ring causing an air leak. Fuel odor and drivability concerns continued. On September 22, 2026, Volkswagen Customer CARE advised that the vehicle should not be driven until the fuel-leak concern is resolved and instructed that it be towed to an authorized Volkswagen dealership. My concern is that a potentially safety-related fuel/EVAP and drivability defect was repeatedly reported over several years but was never permanently identified or corrected. That wording tracks the records in your packet: the 2022 P2421 EVAP finding, 2024 cabin fuel odor, 2025 sputtering, 2026 P0316/P0302, the damaged intake O-ring, and VW’s later do-not-drive warning.
On 7/9/2026, my 2022 VW Taos was brought to the dealer for being severely underpowered, check engine lights on, and a strong raw fuel smell inside the vehicle. On 7/10/2026, the dealer stated the vehicle was ready, claiming they replaced a turbo charge pipe O-ring. The service advisor verbally stated the vehicle had been successfully test-driven for 5 miles on streets and the highway. However, official paperwork only stated "cleared faults verified no leaks in system, vehicle is now operating as designed." Immediately upon driving home on the highway, as the vehicle reached 70–75 mph under load, a loud whistling noise and a sudden, dangerous loss of propulsion occurred simultaneously. The vehicle was returned to the dealer on 7/10/2026. On 7/13/2026, the vehicle was picked up after a second repair where the dealer admitted the plastic charge pipe (05E-145-673-Q) was actually fractured and had completely blown off the turbocharger during my highway drive, generating fault code P227900 (Intake Air System Leak). Upon reviewing the paperwork from both visits, I discovered the odometer had only increased by exactly 1 mile during the first service visit. The dealer completely failed to road-test the vehicle under actual highway boost loads before certifying it as safe, which directly caused a catastrophic structural engine failure and an emergency safety hazard at 75 mph.
The vehicle has intermittent hesitation/delayed acceleration from a stop and during low-speed stop-and-go driving. At times, engine RPM increases before the vehicle responds or accelerates normally. This creates a safety concern when entering traffic, turning, merging, or accelerating from a stopped position because the vehicle does not always respond predictably to throttle input. The concern was reported to a Volkswagen dealer in writing during a prior repair process and was later formally documented on a repair order as hesitation on acceleration. The vehicle has prior Volkswagen repair history involving a coolant warning/low coolant concern, head gasket repair, and later camshaft seal/belt cover repair. After the most recent repair, the delayed acceleration/hesitation concern remained unresolved. The vehicle is currently under review with Volkswagen Customer Care, but the safety-related drivability concern has not yet been fully resolved. Supporting documents include the 2025 written report of jerking from a stop, the 2026 repair order documenting hesitation on acceleration, and post-repair emails showing the issue remained unresolved. After I notified the dealer in writing that the hesitation/delayed acceleration concern remained after the most recent repair, I did not receive a documented response or resolution, and the concern remains unresolved with Volkswagen Customer Care.
Clicking noise coming from the driver side tire/axle when making right turns only. The diagnostic at the VW service department was a faulty CV axle is the cause of the noise. VW service associate recommended replacing the CV axle. The vehicle only has 6k miles but unfortunately is no longer under warranty. According to the VW forum on line there are several issues like this on this particular model.
leaking head gasket
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 filing a safety complaint regarding a 2022 vehicle with approximately 47,000 miles that experienced a sudden and dangerous mechanical failure while in operation. While driving at approximately 37 mph, a dashboard warning message appeared indicating that the vehicle required attention but could continue to be driven for a short period. Shortly after the warning, the vehicle suddenly lost the ability to maintain proper gear engagement. At one point, no gear was engaged at all, creating a hazardous driving situation. I pulled over and turned the vehicle off. After restarting it, I was able to regain limited operation; however, the vehicle would not shift beyond second gear, significantly limiting its drivability and creating an unsafe condition in traffic. This vehicle has been consistently maintained at an authorized dealership according to all recommended service intervals, with no missed or delayed maintenance. The dealership later informed me that the failure was related to the mechatronic system and SOS system. I was also told that the repair would not be covered under warranty. This incident raises serious safety concerns due to the sudden loss of power and gear function while the vehicle was in motion. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed for potential defects that could affect vehicle safety and reliability. I am submitting this complaint so that the issue can be investigated and to help prevent similar incidents from affecting other drivers.
Head gasket failure at 42,000 miles. Transmission leak from filter and pan. VW dealership diagnosed.
Questions about the 2022 Volkswagen Taos transmission
Does the 2022 Volkswagen Taos have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the transmission of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, 16% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2022 Volkswagen Taos transmission problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2022 Volkswagen Taos transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Volkswagen Taos have bad transmission?
The Volkswagen Taos model years with the most transmission complaints are 2022 (52 complaints) and 2023 (12 complaints).
Other 2022 Volkswagen Taos problems
Engine 155Fuel system 67Brakes 64Electrical 63Acceleration 17Driver assistance 17Body 11Airbags 9Steering 5Suspension 5Visibility 4Lights 3Wheels 3Seat belts 2Seats 1
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