The Volkswagen Taos, the smallest SUV in the German brand’s lineup and one of the marque’s best-selling models in the United States, has been hit with its second recall in under a month owing to a problem with its fuel tank. One that, Volkswagen warns, could cause a fuel leak. In extreme cases, it might even be considered a fire risk. Problematic Wiring Harness At The Tank VolkswagenFollowing an investigation by both Volkswagen and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 38,710 examples of the Taos subcompact SUV are believed to have been produced in the US with an incorrectly-sized fuel tank pressure sensor wiring harness. It’s theorized that a severe rear-end collision could cause hypertension in the ill-fitting harness, which could cause the fuel sensor mounted on top of the fuel tank to dislodge, or separate entirely. Should that happen, fuel would start to leak. If any vapors are ignited by an ignition source, well, we know how flammable gasoline vapors can be.Unfortunately for Volkswagen, all 38,710 examples of the Taos produced between July 29, 2024, and April 14, 2026, are believed to have received the incorrectly-sized wiring harness during production at VW’s Mexican facility in Puebla. All affected owners are set to be notified by June 19, 2026. Dealer notification is already under way.VolkswagenTo remedy the situation, all recalled models will be fitted with an 80-millimeter extension to the existing wiring harness in an effort to reduce tension on the fuel sensor. At this time, there is no park-outside or do-not-drive advisory from either VW nor the NHTSA. But owners are encouraged to contact official VW dealerships sooner rather than later.This issue first came to light early last month when the Taos failed a pre-arranged rear crash test conducted by Transport Canada. Follow-up analysis determined the root cause of the failure to be sensor movement caused by wire tension, and further inspection was greenlit. Findings were later presented to VW in mid-April. Happily, as the NHTSA documentation explains, the automaker is not aware of any crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths related to this issue. Not The First Recall For Popular VW Taos In 2026 VolkswagenThis latest recall for Volkswagen comes just a few weeks after 75,323 examples of both the Taos and 2024 model year Jetta sedan were recalled in the US. On that occasion, it was discovered that a software error caused the driver instrument cluster to shut down while on the move. Ironically, this came just a few weeks after another recall for the Jetta, when it was discovered that a short circuit in the transmission, alarmingly close to an oil pressure unit, was sparking its own fire risks.While concerning for Taos owners, it’s unlikely these recalls will dramatically slow sales for VW’s answer to the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona in the US. The subcompact SUV received an updated front grille and bumpers, a new dashboard design, and a higher 174-horsepower rating as part of a 2024 refresh. In 2025, VW sold 55,198 units to customers, a 13.6% drop over 2024 sales but still enough to be the automaker's third best-selling model. The $26,500 Taos remains one of the least expensive new vehicles you can buy in America.Source: NHTSA