2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Engine Problems

This is a supplemental report to my previous filing regarding a 2023 VW ID.4 battery fire. On May 28, 2025, while being operated, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic thermal event. White smoke emanated from the front compartment followed by active flames. The vehicle was a total loss. Critical Safety Finding: A subsequent forensic examination conducted on October 29, 2025 (File 27739-01) by a certified fire investigator confirmed that after the initial fire was suppressed, the vehicle reportedly caught fire an additional time while being held at a tow/storage facility. Component Failure: The fire originated in the front compartment area. The failure is consistent with the "thermal runaway" risks identified in Recall 26V030, involving defective battery cell electrodes. Safety Risk: The multiple ignition nature of this failure poses a lethal risk to occupants, emergency responders, and tow/salvage facility operators. The fact that the vehicle reignited twice in storage, long after the initial suppression, suggests that current safety protocols or the scope of the existing recall may not fully address the volatility of this specific battery defect. Inspection Status: The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer’s engineers and an independent forensic investigator. However, the manufacturer and the insurer are currently withholding the Photographic Report and Technical Field Report from the consumer. These records are vital to understanding the severity of the "multiple -ignition" event and should be subpoenaed or requested by NHTSA investigators to ensure the recall remedy is sufficient to prevent secondary fires in storage environments.

NHTSA ID

11730514

Incident

May 28, 2025

My car failed to connect/stay connected to a charger. When a successful charge started, within 5 minutes , my dash lit up with warning messages to stop moving the car. Place car in park. Battery needs to be replaced. My car was in park at the time. Then the charging session ended and wouldn't reconnect. My car wouldn't start either. Leaving me stranded at the charging station . I called for towing service for which I was charged $122.88 for the tow. Then $479 for a new 12v battery. This didn't fix the issue. My car has been at Hawk since then waiting for a main battery. This is an unreasonable amount of time.

NHTSA ID

11726757

Incident

Dec 9, 2025

1. The car accelerates erratically when it is charged to 90 to 100%. This just plain dangerous. 2. The battery is charging to 100% when it set to charge to 80%. I learned that there is a recall for this vehicle due to the battery overheating and possibly catching on fire. However as of yesterday, there are neither diagnostics available to show whether the recall actually applies to my car, nor is their a repair available. Given the nature of the recall, this puts me in the untenable situation of not trusting my car battery - to not overheat and to not catch fire. I brought the car into VW Glenwood Springs and asked them to diagnose the problems. VW Glenwood neither charged the car to 100% nor did they drive it other than around the block. Therefore they did not experience the problem - and of course could not give me any answers. They said that car is safe to drive! I can attest that this car is not safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11725970

Incident

Mar 4, 2026

This vehicle is a total safety hazard due to two distinct failures: ​1. Unresolved Door Defect (14+ Months): For over 14 months, the vehicle has suffered from 'Self-Opening Door Handles.' Despite 4 repair attempts, the manufacturer has failed to fix this, posing a risk of doors opening while driving. ​2. Fire Risk & Use Restriction (Current Recall 26V-028): Currently, the vehicle is under a 'High-Voltage Battery Fire Risk' recall. The manufacturer has no remedy available and advises to 'Park Outside' and 'Away from Structures,' while also advising against fast charging. ​Conclusion: I am stuck with a car that has doors that open on their own and a battery that might catch fire. The manufacturer refuses to repurchase this unsafe vehicle. I request an immediate investigation.

NHTSA ID

11717302

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

The high-voltage battery in my two leased Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles are subject to NHTSA recall 26V030 (VW campaign 93EA, Jan 2026) for potential overheating and fire risk due to missing Self-Discharge Detection (SDD) software updates. This can cause thermal propagation even when parked. No failure or fire has happened in my vehicles yet; the battery remains available for inspection. However we do have warning lights, messages, range loss, and other electrical symptoms that have appeared before the recall notice. The defect creates a serious safety risk for my family. Both vehicles normally charge indoors in the garage directly under my toddler's bedroom. A fire during charging could endanger my young child and home. Recall guidance requires parking outdoors, no indoor/overnight charging, 80% max charge, and no Level 3 (DC fast) chargers until fixed (remedy starts ~March 2026). These restrictions make safe, practical use impossible: outdoor charging in Philly winter is impractical and risky (damage/theft), and no fast charging limits daily family mobility severely. The issue hasn't been reproduced or inspected by a dealer in my case—it's precautionary based on other vehicles' incidents. No manufacturer, police, or insurance inspection has occurred for my cars. VW denied buyback or relief, saying it's covered under warranty. Combined with prior recalls (door handles, software glitches needing repeated visits), this substantially impairs safe use. The fire risk forces unsustainable charging changes with young kids at home.

NHTSA ID

11714480

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

After spending the past 3 hours with VW's customer care department I have a serious problem with their decision to close my case until VW determines a recall action plan even though... VW has instructed me not to park in my garage or charge overnight due to fire risk VW has no parts and no timeline Vehicle range is materially reduced from stated 290 miles to 160 in winter / 225 in summer VW refuses lease relief and refuses long term loaner car VW closed the case while the recall remains open

NHTSA ID

11713612

Incident

Jan 27, 2026

My Volkswagen ID.4 experienced a sudden crack in the windshield followed by smoke and fire near the dashboard/A-pillar area. The manufacturer denied responsibility and claimed the windshield crack caused the fire, but glass cannot ignite or cause an electrical fire. This is a serious safety hazard because the fire originated where electrical components and sensors are located. The incident occurred without any collision or external impact. The vehicle is still under lease, and Volkswagen refuses to investigate further. I am reporting this in case this defect affects more vehicles and poses a risk to other owners.

NHTSA ID

11702813

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

I am writing to bring to your attention an issue we recently encountered with our 2023 VW ID.4. We began hearing a clicking noise and brought the vehicle in for a diagnostic inspection. The dealership has informed us that the rear drive motor has failed and that the vehicle requires a full motor replacement, estimated at nearly $5,000. Our ID.4 is only 2.5 years old with 62,000 miles. We have truly enjoyed driving it and chose Volkswagen because of its reputation for quality and reliability. To see such a critical component fail this early is very disappointing.

NHTSA ID

11689951

Incident

Sep 24, 2025

The incident occurred on May 24, 2025, while preparing to park the 2023 VW ID4. I had two occupants in the car with me. At the time of the incident, I was moving very slow with my foot on the brake, just about ready to stop and put the car in the park position, when the ID4 suddenly violently lurched forward. The car went over a cement parking stop continuing forward on to a sidewalk and then hit a building. I tried to stop the vehicle as quickly as I could. No collision lights, none of the usual sensors, and no automatic Collison braking came on. The only braking was by me. If someone would have been walking in front of the car at the time of the incident there would have been serious injuries, or deaths. Had the car had more room to accelerate before it hit the building, I think myself & my passengers could have been injured. The vehicle was taken into VW dealership who had the car for five weeks. The car was inspected by a VW engineer, final report states driver pressed the accelerator causing the vehicle to go forward at 54% acceleration. I expressed to the VW dealership that the car DID lunge but that I did not touch the accelerator. I had 2 passengers that can also verify that there were no warning lamps, sensors, or symptoms prior to the incident and normally the front sensors start beeping when you get too close to anything! After this incident I started to do some research and found on a VW Vortex forum that this type of incident has happened to numerous owners of ID 4's. Some of the writers to the forum had the exact same incident as mine, stating they were pulling into a parking spot ready to park and the car lunged. I also found it was happening to Audi owners a sister company of VW. My greatest concern is the frequency of this incident and the company's refusal to take any responsibility which was also widely reported on line. We had owned the VW ID4 for 2.5 years and never had anything like this happened before.

NHTSA ID

11674313

Incident

May 24, 2025

On [XXX], our 2023 VW ID.4 Pro S which kept breaking down during our Vegas trip. It’s still under manufacturer warranty. 17,931 miles, VIN # [XXX] . We got home around 10:30 PM on July 7th after leaving Vegas before noontime, EV battery overheated in the 120 degrees heat at Baker and 112 degrees temperature at Barstow and couldn’t be driven until battery cooled hours later after each stop. It was a complete nightmare with my poor wife and kids in that super hot weather. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11646095

Incident

Jul 7, 2024

After just under 31K thousand miles of vehicle use, the rear drive motor began making a "clunking" sound upon each braking to a full stop, and again upon accelerating. The local dealer diagnosed the noise as coming from the rear electric drive motor. The technician consulted with Volkswagen "tech-line" personnel, who advised the local dealership to replace the rear drive motor under warranty, which they did approximately two weeks later. The noise no longer occurs.

NHTSA ID

11636539

Incident

May 7, 2024

On December 4, 2024, I left a Volkswagen ID.4 electric car in for service of Volkswagen due to software and door locking issues. The service manager confirmed the problems but stated that the vehicle has not yet received any repairs from Volkswagen and that there is no solution available. I have been given ongoing, negligent responses, such as being told that the only option is to buy another car or that there is nothing they can do. 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The software system and door locking mechanism are malfunctioning. Both issues are related to unrepairable recalls from Volkswagen. The software issues are causing electrical faults, stopping problems, and unsafe braking performance. The door locking issue prevents proper functionality, likely due to a malfunction in the locking system, which also impacts the security and safety of the vehicle. The car is experiencing significant issues related to software, electrical faults, stopping problems, and, most concerning, unsafe brakes. These issues present a serious safety risk. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The brake system has become unsafe due to electrical and software failures, which could result in an inability to stop the vehicle properly or in a timely manner, presenting a significant safety hazard. Additionally, the malfunctioning door locks compromise the vehicle's security, which could lead to unauthorized access. The combination of these issues not only poses a risk to the driver but also to passengers and others on the road, especially if the braking system fails unexpectedly.

NHTSA ID

11628996

Incident

Sep 4, 2024

Sudden unintended acceleration I was pulling next to a curb as I was parking. My speed was approximately two or three miles per hour. My right foot was on the brake slowing the vehicle. My right hand was at the two o'clock position on the steering wheel. My left hand was not on the steering wheel. The cruise control was not engaged and had not been engaged for at least ten or fifteen miles. We had just traveled about 45 miles. The weather was clear and the roads were dry. The temperature was in the upper 40s. As we were slowing, the car suddenly accelerated as if I had fully depressed the accelerator. Since my foot was already on the brake I jammed it on and the car stopped. I’m estimating that we traveled no more than ten feet before coming to a stop. There was a car parked in front of us. The acceleration was not initiated by me, it was sudden, and it was strong. It was impossible for me to have accidentally pressed the accelerator as my right foot was on the brake. It also was impossible that I could have accidentally pressed the cruise control resume switch as my left hand was not even on the steering wheel. To me this represents a serious situation. Had we been in traffic at the time, or if there had not been sufficient room in front of the car, this could have resulted in an accident. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.

NHTSA ID

11619192

Incident

Oct 10, 2024

Our VW ID.4 was leased in December 2023. The vehicle unexpectedly went into "turtle"mode or limp mode, which according to VW happens when the battery is very low. Notably, we had 80% of battery charge at the time (which is the optimum charge). Unexpectedly, the yellow turtle display came on and, worse, the vehicle lost power while driving. The speed was greatly reduced, the power was also greatly reduced. The car went from regenerative breaking to loss of regenerative breaking, while the center drive display still showed "B" for regenerative breaking. It was also almost not possible to drive up a small hill. The vehicle displayed 2 error messages (we have photos, also of the 80% battery charge, which we attach): 1. "Vehicle performance is limited. See owner's manual." 2. "Electrical system not working correctly. Safely stop the vehicle." Comment: In our opinion, the vehicle is not safe to drive. The unexpected reduction in speed and loss of power, paired with the loss of regenerative breaking, creates very dangerous conditions. It may not be possible to "Safely stop the vehicle". In addition, we have also lost the center display and dashboard display twice now, which we believe is mentioned in NHTSA Recall Number24V344. VW sent us a letter in July informing us that our vehicle is subject to this recall. Yes, we have experienced the issue, twice. It is even more scary, if this happens when the vehicle loses power unexpectedly on an 80% charge. It is unacceptable that VW states in its recall letter "A recall repair is not available yet". VW is exposing drivers and passengers to significant risk. We are concerned that this vehicle is not safe to drive. We have brought it to the dealer on Monday 8-26-2024 and are awaiting diagnostics and repair.

NHTSA ID

11611161

Incident

Aug 25, 2024

[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Julio 30, 2024 Volkswagen Customer Care Volkswagen Group of America 3800 Hamlin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Dear Volkswagen Customer Care, I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent recall notice I received for my Volkswagen vehicle, VIN [XXX] 2023 VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 Due to the severe safety issues outlined in the recall, I have been unable to use the car, yet I am still making payments on it. Given that the necessary repairs are not currently available, I am understandably concerned about continuing to drive a vehicle that poses a risk to my safety. My attempts to resolve this issue through the dealership have unfortunately been unsuccessful, as they have not accepted the vehicle for return or provided a satisfactory resolution. Given these circumstances, I am requesting a resolution to this matter. Specifically, I seek the following: Return and Refund: I wish to return the vehicle and receive a full refund of all payments made to date, considering that I am unable to use the car due to safety concerns and the unavailability of repairs. Additional Compensation: Compensation for any inconvenience or costs incurred as a result of this situation, including but not limited to, rental car expenses or loss of use. If Volkswagen is unable to address this matter promptly, I will have no choice but to pursue legal action for product liability and negligence. I hope to avoid this course of action and resolve the issue amicably. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter further. I look forward to your prompt response and resolution. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11605502

Incident

May 1, 2024

On 7/4/2024 at approximately 6pm, I disconnected my 2023 VW ID4 from an electrical charging station. I moved my vehicle 2 blocks away to an apartment building parking lot, which I had parked in previously. While pulling into the parking spot, I was coming to a complete stop, perhaps going 1-2 miles per hour and as I came to a stop, the car accelerated out of nowhere and crashed into a few small trees and a chain link fence for the neighbor's home. I had a passenger in the front passenger seat and neither of us could understand what had just happened. It made no sense and I have no idea what happened to cause the acceleration.

NHTSA ID

11603151

Incident

Jul 4, 2024

This is an all electrical vehicle, When we first got it had a issue right away the car was stuck on reverse and we could not do anything, they kids where in the back and had to press the breaks to hold it in place and could not release it. We were in a parking lot, after awhile the system rebooted and it was normal. Brought it to the dealership and got it serviced and they said nothing was wrong with it. Second recent issue car powered down could not do anything while on the road lost all control. This is a huge issue if there was a car behind us going fast speed could be fatal! the power down issue has happened to us 3 times. Currently at the dealership to review but we have no confidence they will find a issue.

NHTSA ID

11601448

Incident

Jul 10, 2024

The car milage dropped Significantly, i took it to Tracy VW shop and they did not repair it , took it to Dublin VW and they did took 2 weeks replacing a battery cell then they found another defective electric cable that is on backorder with no eta for replacement , i am paying for gas and for fixing on a loaner car rather that drive my own car

NHTSA ID

11592939

Incident

May 26, 2024

When I am parking at 5mph in a medical center parking structure, the car suddenly got an uncontrollable acceleration that hit the parking cement and hit the wall in front of the parking area. I cannot imagine that if it is not in the parking structure with 5 mph, it will be fatal or injured and hit more people and cars on the freeway. I want a safe vehicle and spent over $55K for my daily chore. I lost confident on an electric vehicle, and hope your agency will iron all these out prior to introduce to the public. It is similar to the following case: An owner from Georgia describes what happened after getting into the ID.4, putting a foot on the brake, and then putting it into gear. “The car jumped forward and I had to press brakes with all my strength to keep it from accelerating to full ‘throttle.’ It did the exact same when I put it in reverse. I turned the car off, got out, gave it a couple of minutes, and tried two more times. It did the same thing every time. “It is like the accelerator is pressed to the floor as soon as you put it in gear without you touching it. I almost hit my house due to the wheels being turned before the first try.” Having had the car for only two weeks, “I called a tow truck to take it to the dealer.”

NHTSA ID

11572142

Incident

Feb 13, 2024

While backing up in a driveway at approximately 3-4 miles per hour, the vehicle lost all power and stalled. Both screens went completely black. Seconds later (10-15 maybe) the system re-initialized as if it was rebooted. If this happened at higher speed, it might result in accidents.

NHTSA ID

11555542

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

1. FRONT COLLISION WARNING SENSOR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING. THE FRONT SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT ANYTHING IN THE FRONT WHILE IN DRIVING MODE. COULD BE A SOFTWARE OR SENSOR ISSUE. NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT. 2. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, USUALLY ON THE STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES OFF OR GOES TO THE PARK MODE. IN ORDER TO SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE, I NEED TO STEP OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOCK THE DOORS, THEN UNLOCK THE DOORS, THEN I CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE. TO DRIVE. LOOKS LIKE THERE MUST BE A SOFTWARE ISSUE. NEEDS TO BE CHECKED FOR THE SAFETY AND CONVINCE.

NHTSA ID

11529786

Incident

Jun 29, 2023

I was passing on a highway ant high speed and the car shut down. It gave me about twenty seconds to coast to a stop on the shoulder before it completely turned off. This happened twice.

NHTSA ID

11522391

Incident

May 4, 2023

Brand new ID4 2023 with 800 miles goes into park and refuses to drive because this error message pops up, "unable to start please remove charging socket" the charger is not plugged in and I was just driving on the highway when this message first appeared. Then I come to a stop and that's when the car goes into park and refuses to drive in the middle of a busy 4 way intersection.

NHTSA ID

11509418

Incident

Feb 23, 2023

On long drives (1+ hour or more) my 2023 VW ID.4 Pro S (all electric) displays a "limited driving power" warning at random times, and the speed drops by half or more. This has happened on all long drives (5 separate days) and the car has been serviced by the dealer three times and they cannot find a solution. This is a significant safety risk as it often happens on the highway and I could get rear-ended if I cannot pull off the road in time.

NHTSA ID

11509090

Incident

Dec 27, 2022

While in reverse if you turn to look back through the window instead of relying on the back-up camera, the car will turn off because there is a sensor on the seat that turns the car off if weight is not distributed correctly. The camera is not always reliable especially in situations with a lot of traffic or tricking maneuvering situations. I have had the car turn off on me at least five times, three of which was when I was in a busy parking lot. If the camera were to fail and I needed to solely rely on looking out the window, having the car turn off, creates a huge safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11494568

Incident

Nov 20, 2022