VolkswagenTaos2023Overview/volkswagen/taos/2023/base/

2023 Volkswagen Taos

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Taos.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos pairs an S8 automatic transmission with an EPA-rated 28/36/31 mpg to define its core mechanical identity. While the vehicle carries zero recalls, its 100 total owner complaints point directly to the engine as the primary trouble area. Within the model's 2022-2026 reliability history, 2023 sits well below the 2022 peak of 304 complaints yet remains far above the 2026 low of just one complaint, indicating that while the worst of the early production issues have subsided, the powertrain remains the focal point of current owner dissatisfaction.

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 OE oil filter 04E115561AC. 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.

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size215/55R17 94HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04E115561AC
Engine air filter5QM129620B
Spark plug05E905626 alt 05E905602C
Battery1S0915105A
Serpentine belt04E145933AL
Cabin air filter5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

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 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2023 SEL 4MOTION
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023SEL 4MOTION 1.5L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.70 sec158 hpAWD
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
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.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103.0 ft-lbs

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)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 80,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2023 Volkswagen Taos marks a clear turning point in the model's reliability trajectory, with complaints dropping from 304 in the problematic 2022 launch year to just 100, and zero recalls versus six the year prior. This improvement continues through 2024 (47 complaints, zero recalls) and into 2025, though later years see a slight uptick in recalls (two in 2025, one in 2026) despite very few complaints. The 308 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for 2023 are notably high, indicating that Volkswagen actively identified and addressed issues through service campaigns rather than formal recalls. The top complaint areas—Engine (16) and Service Brakes (12)—suggest lingering concerns, but the overall downward trend in complaints and the absence of recalls in 2023 make it a significantly safer choice than the 2022 model. **Concrete takeaway:** The 2023 Taos is a good year to buy if you prioritize a low risk of recall and a steep reduction in reported problems compared to the first model year, though you should still budget for potential engine or brake-related TSB visits.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
308
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
100
Owner complaints
2 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 100 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine16
Service Brakes12
Power Train6
Unknown Or Other6
Electrical System,Engine5
Service Brakes,Engine5
Electrical System3
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 308 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 2023 Taos have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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.