VolkswagenTaos2022Overview/volkswagen/taos/2022/base/

2022 Volkswagen Taos

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Taos.

Transmission Automatic 8-spd

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos defines its mechanical footprint with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 28/36/31 mpg, yet its operational reality is heavily dictated by significant reliability concerns. Generating 304 owner complaints predominantly centered on the engine alongside six separate recalls, this model year serves as a cautionary data point for researchers. As the highest-complaint year across the 2022-2026 span, the 2022 Taos sits at the nadir of the model's reliability history, meaning it carries the most substantial risk compared to the drastically improved later model years.

Model year20262025202420232022

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque103.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy28/36/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI The manufacturer used many different sized batteries during production of this model. Carefully fit the battery to size. The vehicles battery must be registered and the computer reset with a scan tool after installation. PR-Codes denote type of battery options used. EFB: PR-J0S: 47; NS Battery Type: PR-J1L: 47 · O.E. AmpHrs for Enhanced Flooded Batteries: J0S: 59.0; NS Batteries: J1L: 60.0 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04E115561T. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI The manufacturer used many different sized batteries during production of this model. Carefully fit the battery to size. The vehicles battery must be registered and the computer reset with a scan tool after installation. PR-Codes denote type of battery options used. EFB: PR-J0S: 47; NS Battery Type: PR-J1L: 47 · O.E. AmpHrs for Enhanced Flooded Batteries: J0S: 59.0; NS Batteries: J1L: 60.0 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size215/55R17 94HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04E115561T alt 04E115561AC
Engine air filter5QM129620B
Spark plug05E905602C alt 05E905626
Battery1S0915105A
Serpentine belt04E145933AL
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 8-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height64.6 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3430 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 36 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume28 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Taos of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4–8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2022 SEL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022SEL 1.5 Turbo I-47.40 sec15.80 sec158 hpFWD
2022SEL 4MOTION 1.5 Turbo I-47.50 sec15.80 sec158 hpAWD
2022SEL 1.5 Turbo I-47.60 sec15.90 sec158 hpFWD
2022SEL 1.5 Turbo I-48.50 sec16.50 sec158 hpFWD
2022SEL 1.5 Turbo I-48.80 sec16.70 sec158 hpFWD
2023SEL 4MOTION 1.5L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.70 sec158 hpAWD
2025SE Black 1.5L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.10 sec174 hpFWD
2025SE Black 1.5L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.30 sec174 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 103.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103.0 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect Ball Joint by pulling down on lower control arm then forcing it upward. The joint should also be inspected by moving the lower portion of the tire and wheel in an in and out motion. During inspections allow for normal upper strut mount and wheel bearing wear but no ball joint play should be observed. Step 3: The ball joint should also be replaced if the boot is torn, stud is worn or joint shows any play.

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 80,000 mi; coolant every 20,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 20,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Water Drains (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos, as the first model year of this generation, shows the highest complaint and recall volume in the federal record: 304 complaints and 6 recalls, compared to just 100 complaints and zero recalls in 2023. The trend across the years is a steep decline—complaints drop to 47 in 2024, 9 in 2025, and only 1 in 2026—indicating that early teething problems were largely resolved in subsequent model years. The top complaint areas for 2022 are engine (60), service brakes (31), and powertrain (14), with 4 crash complaints reported, though the data does not specify root causes for these issues. With 471 technical service bulletins in 2022 versus 64 by 2026, the 2022 model clearly required far more dealer intervention. This places the 2022 at the worst point in the generation’s reliability arc, making it a poor choice for a used purchase; a 2023 or later model year offers a much stronger track record.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
471
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
304
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 304 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine60
Service Brakes31
Unknown Or Other20
Power Train14
Fuel/Propulsion System14
Power Train,Engine10
Fuel System, Gasoline8
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V651000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 20/08/2021

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. 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…

21V615000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):SoftwareReported 06/08/2021

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 471 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
V0125042078297_52026-06-24EngineUpdate programming for Evap Emission Control System
TT 10-18-02_22026-06-18EngineLubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_32026-06-18EngineInstruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
Customer email_91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherYour vehicle is currently eligible for the 91UB software update designed to:
Dealer 91UB2026-06-15Unknown Or OtherThis OTA update addresses a potential issue with special characters being broadcast over…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Taos. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2022 Taos have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Taos get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.