2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Airbags Problems

The airbag error light has been coming on in the dashboard in the last few weeks. Sometimes it stays on for the whole trip, sometimes it intermittently comes and goes. If an airbag is disabled due to this error, that's a safety hazard. I found several reports of almost the same issue on this car online. Here are few: [XXX] [XXX] Looks like a systemic failure with the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11743626

Incident

May 30, 2026

I am filing this claim because a mandatory remote software update pushed by Volkswagen, combined with recent invasive repairs to the interconnected safety restraint network (PODS), caused a critical emergency safety feature (SOS) to fail, and the manufacturer is refusing to restore the vehicle to compliance. 04-01-2026: Received mandatory manufacturer software update v3.8.1. Updated failed and had to be reset. 04-16-2026: Vehicle was brought to the dealer to repair the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS). The technician unplugged electrical harnesses and recalibrated the safety network to install the new sensor mats. 04-29-2026: Received mandatory manufacturer software update v3.8.1. 04-30-2026: Immediately following these two events, the emergency SOS system threw a critical hard failure light and became non-functional. 05-01-2026: The dealership and VW Corporate both denied Goodwill coverage, claiming it is an out-of-warranty hardware failure, despite it being a globally documented software side-effect. The v3.8.11 update is known to overwrite the measured state of health of the emergency backup battery, artificially timing it out after 5 years regardless of its actual physical health. The PODS system that the dealer just serviced actively talks to the vehicle's Supplemental Restraint System. I am requesting that Volkswagen covers 100% of the cost to restore the vehicle's emergency SOS system to working order—whether that requires a physical replacement of the telematics module/battery or a manual software reset of the battery history timer.

NHTSA ID

11735528

Incident

May 1, 2026

I get an airbag warning, after going to VW to get it looked at they said it was error with the POD’s system. The error is same as VW Safety Recall Code: 69FB. I think my model car should fall into this recall as well.

NHTSA ID

11668713

Incident

Jun 23, 2025

"Error: Airbag" periodically comes on, goes off at random times. Seems to be an issue with the Passenger Occupancy Detection System Module. Nothing spilled to make this module not work properly. With this error on, it turns off the airbag for the passenger. This has been confirmed by the dealer. This error appeared without warning or incident at ~45K miles on the car.

NHTSA ID

11659139

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

I was driving at 35 mph when the front doors began unlocking and locking rapidly three times, then both front doors fell open ajar, at the same time the screen went grey with a triangle ! icon as an audile alarm went off then the drivers side curtain airbag deployed forcing the steering wheel to the right causing the vehicle to collide head on into an electric utility pole. I tried to brake but was pushed by airbag from brake pedal. I was wearing a seat belt but suffered an burn from the airbag on right inner forearm that was impression of VW logo and has resulted in lasting scar, I had modest right wrist sprain and right shin contusion, abrasion. The vehicle rolled back in the road and was towed and later totaled by insurance. The automatic braking detection nor any other airbag deployed on collision.

NHTSA ID

11657160

Incident

Jan 2, 2025

On multiple occasions this vehicle has failed to operate, a red hazard light goes on along with many other failure light indicators. I've been stranded where the car does nothing and also experienced the car dying while driving. When the vehicle comes to the airbag indicators come on warning that the airbags are not functioning. I have had to drive the vehicle this way. It's not the first time this car has had some type of electrical problems. It previously had an above lighting issue that had to be repaired. It's currently at Volkswagen of Leesburg in Florida, they are trying to figure out what is wrong with this car because they have not seen this type of failure before. It's been there for a week now. After getting stranded, vehicle failures, and electrical failures, I no longer feel safe in this vehicle. Im afraid this vehicle could have an electrical problem or fail while driving leaving me vulnerable to incoming traffic.

NHTSA ID

11614757

Incident

Sep 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the "Travel Assist" and the "Forward Collision Avoidance" system warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while drifting into the lane in the past there was a vibration in the steering wheel to alert the driver. The contact stated that the steering wheel no longer vibrated while the warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger’s side occupant air bag sensor warning was displayed and stated that the sensor was off, with an occupant seated in the seat. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure with the Forward Collision Avoidance and the Travel Assist and a software update was performed. The contact stated that for the passenger’s side air bag sensor to be diagnosed, the dealer needed to remove the seat to determine the cause of the failure. The seat sensor was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure of the Forward Collision Avoidance and the travel assist had reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11603106

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

Mileage

30,000 mi

Passenger airbag error No passenger airbag Confirmed but no fix No inspection A warning light on dash screen

NHTSA ID

11547307

Incident

Sep 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the control board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V04000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000

NHTSA ID

11535977

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

Mileage

2,000 mi

The airbags warning light is on and Volkswagen dealer can’t fix the issue. It’s a safety issue and I need a remedy please.

NHTSA ID

11494645

Incident

Nov 7, 2022

When placing a laptop, a heavy bag, or any heavy item on the front passenger seat, the seat belt warning light with a ding. So, I have to connect the seat belt to make it stop. Though I do appreciate it working with a person sitting in that seat, it's just sort of annoying especially if you're moving items around. My small 10 pound dog does not activate the sensors. Most of the vehicles that I have had in the past automatically turn the airbags and seatbelt warning light off if it detects a nonhuman or or an inanimate object or there's a switch to turn off the passenger side.

NHTSA ID

11459130

Incident

Mar 30, 2022