2022 Volkswagen Taos Fuel Line Recall (21V651)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 16,737 vehicles · Reported August 20, 2021
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling 16,737 2022 Volkswagen Taos vehicles. The underhood fuel supply quick-connector may detach from the fuel supply line causing a fuel leak in the engine compartment. A fuel leak may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V651 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V651000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 20DB |
| Date reported to NHTSA | August 20, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2022 Volkswagen Taos |
| Units affected | 16,737 |
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline > Delivery > Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings |
| Safety risk | A fuel leak may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022 Volkswagen Taos in recall 21V651?
The underhood fuel supply quick-connector may detach from the fuel supply line causing a fuel leak in the engine compartment.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2022 Taos with recall 21V651?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A fuel leak may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A fuel leak may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Taos shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the hoses, lines and piping, and fittings, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V651?
Recall 21V651 covers 16,737 vehicles: 2022 Volkswagen Taos.
NHTSA lists 16,737 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Volkswagen | Taos |
What is the fix for the Taos fuel line recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the connection and replace the fuel supply line and connector as necessary, free of charge.
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 contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DB.
When was recall 21V651 announced?
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. reported recall 21V651 to NHTSA on August 20, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 31, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| August 20, 2021 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V651000. |
| August 31, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 62 months ago. If your Taos was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Taos is part of recall 21V651?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V651 is open on your Taos, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V651000 is open on your Taos, it will be listed there, along with Volkswagen recall number 20DB. You can also ask any Volkswagen dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Taos owners do about recall 21V651?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V651000 applies to your Taos.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the hoses, lines and piping, and fittings happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Taos owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 316 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 63 of them about the fuel system.
Since recall 21V651 was reported on August 20, 2021, owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 15 of them (24%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the fuel system and were received on or after August 20, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related fuel system issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 316 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 63 of them involve the fuel system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Volkswagen Taos: 316 complaints in total, 63 about the fuel system
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed above 10 MPH, with the check engine and the EPC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced.
2022 Volkswagen Taos owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11643375, filed February 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an exhaust system malfunction warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was engine oil on the driveway. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and during an oil leak inspection, the dealer found a fuel leak.
2022 Volkswagen Taos owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11728613, filed April 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen Taos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start.
2022 Volkswagen Taos owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11745744, filed June 22, 2026
Can recall 21V651 make my Taos a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V651000 does not automatically make your Taos a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Fuel pump and fuel line defects can cause the 2022 Volkswagen Taos to stall without warning. If it happens again after the recall repair, document it and return to the dealer.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Taos been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Volkswagen Taos recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V651
Did the recall 21V651 fix work?
Since recall 21V651 was reported on August 20, 2021, owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on these vehicles. 15 of them (24%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed August 31, 2021.
Is the 21V651000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Taos is part of recall 21V651000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V651000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Volkswagen. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.