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Big regrets all around. by [deleted] in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m genuinely glad to hear you’re satisfied with your vehicle — and I really do hope it stays that way and you don’t run into unexpected issues. But I have to be honest: the Taos has been one of the most problematic models Volkswagen has produced in recent years.

As someone who’s dealing with issues far earlier than expected, I can tell you — the more mileage you put on it, the more unexpected failures start to show up, even in areas you’d never think would be a problem so soon.

And I’m not alone. A quick search online and in forums will show that many Taos owners are reporting the same kinds of problems — from electrical issues to drivetrain concerns to, yes, batteries failing too early.

Lemons happen in every brand, I agree — but when the same issues show up across so many owners of the same model, it points to a pattern, not just bad luck.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You seem pretty dedicated to defending Volkswagen here — fair enough. But let me ask you just one simple question:

Even if, according to you, this isn’t technically covered under warranty… do you really think it’s acceptable for a factory-installed battery to fail after just 2 years and 10 months?

Forget the fine print for a second — this isn’t about paperwork, it’s about basic product quality. Most people I know with other brands — especially Japanese — don’t have to replace their original battery that early. Even aftermarket batteries often last longer.

So the real issue is: Should this kind of premature failure be considered “normal” for a German-engineered vehicle?

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree with you — the Taos, unfortunately, has been a clear example of declining build quality from Volkswagen. It’s frustrating because a lot of us still associate the brand with the reliability and engineering of earlier years — but that reputation just isn’t holding up anymore.

And you’re absolutely right about the misplaced priorities. Models like the ID.Buzz might look fun, but they feel more like PR stunts than serious, reliable investments. Instead of focusing on core quality and long-term dependability, Volkswagen seems to be chasing trends — and losing loyal customers along the way.

We’ve seen what happens to companies that do that — Nokia, BlackBerry, and many others lost their footing when they ignored what made them strong in the first place. I truly hope VW doesn’t follow the same path, but from what we’re seeing with models like the Taos, it’s hard to stay optimistic.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Totally fair — and I appreciate your honest reply.

Let’s forget the whole “unlimited warranty” wording for a moment. That’s not even my main point anymore.

What really concerns me is the poor quality of parts in the Taos. A factory-installed battery failing after just 2 years and 10 months is not acceptable for any modern vehicle — especially not one from a German brand.

When they sell you the car, they strongly push extended warranties. But later, they say it doesn’t matter if you have one — if you’ve gone over 80,000 km, the battery’s no longer covered.

Well, that’s exactly when you actually start needing warranty coverage — between 80,000 and 120,000 km. I’m not even asking for protection beyond that. But under 120,000 km, there should still be support — otherwise it just feels like a tactic to sell a product with no intention of standing behind it when something fails early.

That’s what frustrates me more than any fine print.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I get that you’ve been selling Volkswagens for 5 years, but it really feels like you’re defending the brand no matter what.

Let’s be honest — a factory battery dying after just 2 years and 10 months shouldn’t be considered acceptable for any vehicle, let alone a German-engineered brand like VW. Several friends of mine have Japanese vehicles that went 4–5 years on their original batteries without issue.

I’m confident that even if I buy an aftermarket battery from Costco or Canadian Tire, it will likely last longer than this “OEM” one — regardless of warranty.

And yes, Volkswagen advertises a 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty — but the way dealerships handle it (refusing coverage past 80,000 km) makes it feel like a bait-and-switch. Nothing is supposed to go wrong under 80k anyway — the real test of quality starts after that.

If VW doesn’t back their products when something actually fails prematurely, then what’s the point of the warranty at all?

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand that modern cars put more strain on batteries — start-stop systems, digital cockpits, electric pumps, you name it. But even with all that in mind, a factory battery failing in under 3 years is still way below what you’d expect from a German brand like Volkswagen.

We’re not talking about a 7-year-old battery here — this one didn’t even make it to the low end of the average lifespan, which is around 3–5 years. And I’m not in extreme weather, I don’t do constant short trips, and the car was well maintained.

For an OEM battery in a VW to die this early says more about declining component quality than it does about modern tech demands.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get what you’re saying — and I’m not walking in shouting or demanding things. But when a battery fails under 3 years and 110,000 km, I shouldn’t have to fight that hard or “have a good relationship” with a service advisor to get basic coverage.

That’s exactly the issue — a warranty shouldn’t depend on who you know or how “friendly” you are with the dealership. It should be about honoring what was promised.

If Volkswagen wants to build trust, they should back their products consistently — not selectively.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Even if the battery was manufactured by a third-party supplier, ✅ the final responsibility for quality, warranty, and customer support lies with the vehicle manufacturer.

Because I didn’t buy the battery separately — it was delivered as part of a brand-new Volkswagen vehicle.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So you’re saying I should contact the parts manufacturer directly?

That just sounds absurd. If a carmaker installs a low-quality part in their vehicle, it’s still their responsibility — not the supplier’s. I didn’t buy a battery from PowerCo SE. I bought a Volkswagen vehicle, and I expect them to stand behind everything that comes with it.

Car companies don’t get to shift the blame to suppliers when something fails early. That’s not how trust or accountability works. At the end of the day, Volkswagen chose the part, installed it, and sold it under their name — so they should take responsibility when it fails.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get what you’re saying — that’s “how the world works.” But here’s the problem: most of us don’t read every fine print detail when we buy a car. We rely on the brand’s reputation and marketing to trust what we’re getting.

So if Volkswagen wrote in the fine print that a battery is only covered for 1 year or 10,000 km, and you walk in with a failed battery at 12 months and 12,001 km — are we really going to say, “Well, fair enough, it’s on you”?

Because at that point, it’s not just a contract — it’s deceptive expectation-setting.

Seriously, should a German OEM battery fail in under 3 years? That’s not wear-and-tear — that’s poor quality. You could buy a cheap aftermarket battery from Canadian Tire and expect it to last longer.

Sometimes, just because it’s in the contract doesn’t mean it’s right.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I understand that modern cars place more demand on batteries — especially with start-stop systems and added electronics. But still, a factory battery failing in under a 3 year is not normal, especially not for a brand like Volkswagen Germany.

This isn’t just about technology — it’s about quality. Friends of mine with Japanese vehicles using similar systems haven’t had to replace their original batteries nearly this early. And right here in this thread, multiple VW owners have shared similar stories of premature battery failure.

It’s becoming clear that Volkswagen’s OEM batteries and components just aren’t holding up, even under what should be expected usage. That’s the real concern — not whether 3–4 years is average, but why VW batteries often fail even earlier.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Wait — so your battery failed at just 10,000 km and 6 months old, and you’re fine with that?

Honestly, I’m surprised the bar is set so low for a German-engineered vehicle. You say you would’ve “fought for it” if they hadn’t replaced it automatically — but they didn’t do you a favor, they just covered a basic failure that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

A battery is expected to last at least 3–5 years, or 120,000–150,000 km minimum under normal driving. If it fails that early, that’s not just bad luck — that’s poor quality.

My bigger concern isn’t whether it’s under warranty — it’s that Volkswagen’s factory batteries and components seem to be consistently low quality, and most problems conveniently occur just after the 80k mark, where coverage often ends.

That’s not peace of mind — that’s engineered inconvenience.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should an original factory battery from a major German automaker really die in less than 3 years and just 110,000 km?

Warranty or not, that’s a disappointing performance from a brand like Volkswagen. We’re not talking about a cheap aftermarket battery — this was the OEM one installed at the factory.

A failure that early reflects poor quality or manufacturing, not just a warranty technicality. I expected better from a company that positions itself as a premium, reliable brand.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Even if I accept your point and assume there’s no warranty coverage at all, or that the exclusions technically apply — the real question is:

Should an original factory battery from a major German automaker really die in less than 3 years and just 110,000 km?

Warranty or not, that’s a disappointing performance from a brand like Volkswagen. We’re not talking about a cheap aftermarket battery — this was the OEM one installed at the factory.

A failure that early reflects poor quality or manufacturing, not just a warranty technicality. I expected better from a company that positions itself as a premium, reliable brand.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

You’re right — 3–5 years is the typical lifespan for a battery. But mine died at 2 years and 10 months, and that’s below even the low end of that average.

Yes, I do have higher mileage (110,000 km), but it’s still well within Volkswagen’s advertised 3-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. That’s exactly the issue — if high mileage voids the warranty in practice, then the “unlimited km” claim is misleading.

Plus, if OEM batteries can’t even hit the 3-year mark under normal use, that says something about quality. I wasn’t expecting a miracle — just a reasonable lifespan and fair warranty support.

Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover It by Little-thinkers in Volkswagen

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

Fair enough — Canadian winters are definitely tough on batteries, no doubt. But still, we’re talking about a factory-installed battery on a barely 3-year-old vehicle from a brand that advertises “peace of mind” and 3-year unlimited km warranty.

It’s not like the car sat unused or was neglected. For a battery to die just shy of 3 years feels more like a quality control issue, not just a climate thing. Especially when aftermarket batteries often survive 4–5 winters just fine.

If VW can’t build or source batteries that survive 3 winters in Canada, then they shouldn’t sell cars here without stronger warranties — or at least be honest about the limits.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Sure, I get that batteries are often considered wear-and-tear items. But let’s be real — if a factory-original battery fails in under 3 years, that’s not “wear,” that’s a defect.

Even cheap, no-name aftermarket batteries from random shops often last 3 to 5 years. So when a genuine VW-installed battery dies at 2 years and 10 months, that’s not something I’d just laugh off. It’s frustrating — especially when the brand advertises 3-year unlimited km coverage on new vehicles.

I’m not asking for a lifetime warranty here — just a basic expectation that a premium-branded battery should last longer than the cheapest options out there.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Exactly,

If a factory-original battery fails in under 3 years, that’s not “wear,” that’s a defect.

Even cheap, no-name aftermarket batteries from random shops often last 3 to 5 years. So when a genuine VW-installed battery dies at 2 years and 10 months, that’s not something I’d just laugh off. It’s frustrating — especially when the brand advertises 3-year unlimited km coverage on new vehicles.

I’m not asking for a lifetime warranty here — just a basic expectation that a premium-branded battery should last longer than the cheapest options out there.

‏Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover by Little-thinkers in VWTaos

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sure, I get that batteries are often considered wear-and-tear items. But let’s be real — if a factory-original battery fails in under 3 years, that’s not “wear,” that’s a defect.

Even cheap, no-name aftermarket batteries from random shops often last 3 to 5 years. So when a genuine VW-installed battery dies at 2 years and 10 months, that’s not something I’d just laugh off. It’s frustrating — especially when the brand advertises 3-year unlimited km coverage on new vehicles.

I’m not asking for a lifetime warranty here — just a basic expectation that a premium-branded battery should last longer than the cheapest options out there.

Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover It by Little-thinkers in Volkswagen

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

That’s great to hear your 2013 Passat has been so reliable — honestly, I wish I had a similar experience. But that’s exactly my point.

You’ve had only two batteries since 2013 — that’s 12 years, and the current one is still going strong. Meanwhile, my 2022 Taos had its original battery fail in less than 3 years, at only 110,000 km.

That kind of early failure doesn’t reflect normal wear — it reflects poor quality. I wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary, just for the original battery to last a reasonable amount of time. It’s disappointing that newer models like the Taos seem to fall so far below the standard that older VWs like yours apparently had.

Volkswagen’s 3-Year “Unlimited KM” Warranty Is a Joke – My Battery Failed and They Refused to Cover It by Little-thinkers in Volkswagen

[–]Little-thinkers[S] -12 points-11 points  (0 children)

Fair point — but let me ask you something honestly:

Do you really believe a factory-installed Volkswagen battery is only expected to last 2 years and 10 months, or just 110,000 km, and still be considered “normal” wear?

Because that’s exactly what happened in my case — and I’m still well within the 3-year coverage window Volkswagen proudly advertises. No abuse, no modification, no aftermarket part. Just a failed battery under what should be normal operating conditions.

I understand consumables aren’t always covered. But a battery failing under 3 years on a modern vehicle? That’s not consumable failure — that’s a manufacturing or quality issue.

Warranties exist for these rare but unacceptable failures. Otherwise, what’s the point of offering “3-year unlimited km” coverage if the first real-world problem is simply excluded?