2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Visibility Problems

We bought our car in April, 2024 from Wellesley Volkswagen, [XXX] . The car has a problem with the windshield wiper Control (safety standard 101?). The car’s windshield wiper stalk is on the right side of the steering wheel. Moving the stalk up or down activates the front wipers. Pulling the stalk will activate the front wiper washer. Pushing the stalk away will activate the rear wiper and washer. Moving the stalk up from the off position will provide 1 wipe. Moving the stalk down from the neutral position will first activate rain sensing/interval wiping then slow continuous wiping and finally fast continuous wiping. There is also slider button on the stalk to vary the sensitivity of the rain sensing/ interval wiping mode. The first wiping position can be configured to operate at either interval wiping or rain sensing through the car’s customization setting (screen interface). We have the wipers set for rain sensing. The rain sensing is triggered by the stalk being in the first position and rain being “seen” by the sensor (camera) at the top center of the windshield. The slider adjusts the sensitivity so that it activates occasionally or aggressively depending on the rain level and the driver’s preference. From the time we bought the car to present day, we find the rain sensing will not work about 25% of the time: the wipers will not turn on when in the sensing position and it is raining. On one recent occasion during a light rain, the wipers went on full speed in the sensing position, and I had to move the stalk to the 2nd position (continuous slow wiping). There was nothing blocking the sensor which would cause this behavior. After a couple minutes I move it back to the sensing position and the sensing performed normally. I brought it to the dealer’s attention a few times over the past 2 years, but made them officially write it up and check on how to fix this at the April 13, 2026, 2nd year service with no resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11735491

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

iD4 has had 2 recent recalls requiring software updates at the dealership. Vehicle was taken in 6/26/25 for door handle recall and software update. returned after 7 days, door handle replacement completed, but unable to do software update due to "server down". Dealer to call when server back up. The care began to have intermittent center screen going blank and backup camera not coming on in reverse. I called to confirm sever back up. took car in again 9/8/25, returned after 7 days after software update on 7th day. Back up camera was not working. It took a total of 14 days with car at the dealer to get software update completed. After the update, the schedule charging is no longer available and the back up camera no longer works. Took car back to dealer 9/18/25. The dealer says that the problem is caused by the camera, and that it needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, cameras are not available with no ETA when this issue will be resolved. The rear visibility without the backup camera is not very good and is unsafe to back out of parking spaces with limited visibility.

NHTSA ID

11694483

Incident

Jun 6, 2025

To the left of the steering wheel, there is a button for “Max Windshield Defog”. When this button is pressed, the fan speed slows down and does not help clear visibility of a foggy windshield. Instead, the driver must navigate through several on screen menus to find and manually adjust for windshield defog, which is a safety concern while operating the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11687051

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that after stopping the vehicle, the front driver’s side door erroneously opened, causing damage to the door stop and window. The contact stated that after the failure, the window failed to roll down completely. Additionally, whenever the door was opened, the door opened extremely wide. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the doorstop was damaged, and the door needed to be replaced. The door was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11660646

Incident

May 1, 2025

Mileage

30,000 mi

(addressing the above bullets as numbered items) (1) OEM replacement windshield (after what seems to be impact damage, although there are some reports in social media about "spontaneous windshield breakage - i.e. no known impact). It is available (currently installed in vehicle) for inspection upon request. (2) Safety is currently at risk because of bad image distortion near the passenger "A-pillar". (3) Problem has been seen in a photograph by both a VW dealership, and (we've been told) by a VW "Regional Service Manager". We also scheduled and showed-up for a "Service Appointment" at the dealership, but they declined to either sit in the vehicle or go for a "test drive" to better observe this problem. (4) See (3) for mention of "inspection by photograph" by dealership. (5) Problem only appeared after replacement of the "as manufactured" windshield with that original windshield not having this problem. Windshield replacement occurred on April 4, 2025.

NHTSA ID

11654916

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

The OEM heated windshield has a relatively common defect where there is extreme distortion in the glass along the passenger side edge of the windshield. This is obviously a safety issue because that area is key for visibility of pedestrians and bicyclists and other vehicles when making turns. The vehicle is currently at the dealer pending repair with no updates.

NHTSA ID

11632932

Incident

Dec 6, 2024

One week after buying the new car, the windshield cracked and quickly spread across the width of the car. There may have been a rock impact and I was on the highway. This is on a heated glass AWD Pro S model. It's apparently incredibly common for this to happen.

NHTSA ID

11615099

Incident

May 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased brand new with a defective windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was wavy and distorted the view of the roadway while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the windshield was replaced on two occasions; however, the failure persisted because the replacement parts were also defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that all the manufactured windshields were identical, and no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10.

NHTSA ID

11602775

Incident

Apr 30, 2023

Mileage

10 mi

The windshield on the car has some severe warping that distorts the view of the driver. It causes optical illusions and dizziness. The dealer thus far refuses to fix the issue. The issue can be easily researched and it's easy to find others complaining of the issue.

NHTSA ID

11584024

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

My ID4 windshield chips very easily and in fact i have had it for less then 1 year and small rocks on freeway damaged windshield and had to replace it out of my pocket. Even after getting new windshield it’s chipping again. The glass is hazardous as i am afraid it will break easily when compared with other cars. Cars speedometer turn off due to VW software glitch while driving so in the middle of freeway drivers would have no idea on speed and can cause accidents.

NHTSA ID

11583865

Incident

Mar 30, 2024

Passenger window moves in opposite direction. Specifically, when the passenger window is partially down, trying to close the window from the driver side switch results in the window traveling in the opposite direction. This is a safety concern. If there are children or dogs in the passenger side, or if there is someone outside trying to get in, the window opening instead of closing is very unexpected and is a concern. Brought to the dealer and reproduced. Said they “fixed it”. Then when I showed them again, they said this was by design. How can a switch cause the window to open when intending to close? Easily reproducible. This is a defect and safety issue. There are no warning lights, documentation, or otherwise explaining this unexpected behavior.

NHTSA ID

11581238

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle in the garage overnight, the following day the contact became aware that the front windshield was cracked from the driver’s to the passenger’s side. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the windshield was possibly impacted by a pebble. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic informed the contact that the windshield was on backorder however, the vehicle was drivable. The vehicle was taken to a glass repair facility and the contact was informed that the replacement windshield was not available. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 4,994.

NHTSA ID

11557064

Incident

Nov 17, 2023

Mileage

4,994 mi

I own a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S. Which has significant distortion in the windshield which I noticed almost immediately after picking up the vehicle. There is significant distortion about halfway up the windshield. When it is raining it makes it very difficult to see out the window. It seems worse on the driver's side. I brought it to my VW dealer for its 10,000-mile check-up. Service told me I needed new wiper blades. When I told them it was less than six months old and should be covered under warranty, they said that the wipers were only warranted for one year or 7000 miles (if I remember the mileage correctly. I'm not convinced there is anything wrong with the wipers. But they also didn't have them in stock and had to order them. It is VERY difficult to see clearly even inb light rain. In addition, the intermittent wipers speed are fast at one end and too slow at the other..with no in-between.

NHTSA ID

11556543

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

The windshield cracked after a very minor rock impact right where the windshield meets the frame on the passenger side. The impact was so minor that I barely even noticed it - only once I saw the crack (large crack, maybe 10-12 inches) did I think back on what could have caused it. Safety issue: obviously a windshield that cracks to the point of replacement after a minor impact is a safety problem, as is driving a windshield with a large crack. It has not been inspected and the issue hasn't been reproduced by anyone (dealer or service center). However - an odd number of people have referenced a very similar issue (minor impact causes cracked windshield) on an internet forum. No warnings, obviously.

NHTSA ID

11555251

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

I have a cracked windshield on my 2023 VW ID.4 - both Safelite and the dealer state that there's a glass shortage, and the replacement has been on back order since October 3. They state there's not a danger in driving it, but twice in cold weather/rain there's been a cracking sound and the windshield starts to smoke. I believe this is arcing/smoking from the heated windshield, though VW corporate says they are unaware of this issue. I have also seen this problem documented by others on Reddit, and I also have a video of the problem on my windshield. I bring this up to you because I fear with the arcing/smoking it may be a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11554815

Incident

Oct 3, 2023

Optical Windshield Distortion The distortion is noticeable on the drivers and passenger sides of the windshield where it meets the vertical frames of the body. They are approximately 2-3 inches wide running the full vertical length. The distortion is clearly visible in full light, affecting peripheral vision of approaching vehicle movement or other passing external sources of glare day and night. They are not visible when the windshield is in shade. The dealership affirmed the malady and submitted a warranty claim to VW regarding the material defect (07/20/23). It was authorized and the windshield was replaced (10/27/23). The replacement windshield has visible distortion as well; affirmed again by dealership service staff. The 2nd warranty claim was denied by Volkswagen. Their reason, related by the dealership service staff, "was that all windshields have distortion". The dealership would not supply documentation when requested. This is clearly a material defect that poses a safety concern under all driving conditions. Verification of this claim can be seen on this vehicle or the dealerships demonstration unit(s) as well as a supportive review of similar incidents at ID4 owner websites such as [XXX] ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11553297

Incident

Oct 27, 2023

Here is a summary of the problems I have encountered: 1.At just 2000 miles, the windshield of my 2023 ID 4 developed a crack without any apparent reason or external impact. 2.My insurance has agreed to replace the windshield; however, there are currently no spare windshields available, and no one can provide a timeline for when they will become available. 3.Due to the unavailability of replacement windshields, I have been left with a cracked and damaged windshield, which cannot be replaced. 4.To my dismay, the initial crack has continued to spread, and two more cracks have appeared seemingly out of nowhere, with the total mileage reaching 2500 miles. 5.It is evident that the glass in my vehicle is defective, but Volkswagen has been unresponsive to my concerns, refusing to acknowledge the defect and provide a solution. 6.Driving the vehicle with a damaged windshield is clearly unsafe; however, I have no alternative means of transportation as this is my only car. 7.I strongly believe that Volkswagen dealerships should be required to disclose the unavailability of spare parts for VW vehicles to potential buyers. This lack of transparency puts customers at risk and leaves them in an untenable situation, as I am experiencing.

NHTSA ID

11552505

Incident

Oct 9, 2023

My windshield incurred a crack on 8/15/23 that continues to spread. To this day, 10/29/23, I cannot locate a replacement windshield and the dealers can only communicate that there is a nationwide backorder with no timetable as to when the replacement will be available. It is inconceivable that a car manufacturer can sell a model without a stock of basic replacement parts, especially something as simple as a windshield. I am dreading heading into the winter months with a cracks windshield.

NHTSA ID

11552458

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

The windshield of the vehicle is heated. The film that is used causes distortion in the primary field of view. This causes headaches and blurry vision during long drives. I have taken it to the dealership and they informed me that all the ID.4 vehicles that have the heated windshield have the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11550840

Incident

Oct 19, 2023

I was driving down the interstate and the entirety of the electronic screens froze up. The data presented on the screens was frozen and all the touch buttons froze. With no access to any controls, in a downpour, I was unable to adjust the climate control, turn on the defrosters or have any idea how fast I was going. I proceeded to stop on the interstate, thinking I could shut the car off and restart it to reset the controls, but that did nothing except get me soaked and risk my life being stopped on the side of the highway. This car has a seat activated power on and off so it comes on when you sit down and shuts off when you get up (which is a stupid idea anyway) but upon exiting the car and even locking it with the FOB, the vehicle would not shut off or reset. Soaked, I got back in and continued down the highway with no defrosters or climate control and arrived at my meeting. I was unable to shut the car off so it ran through my lunch then I made the same journey back home, 100+ miles down the interstate with no speedometer, climate control or defrosters. Once I arrived home, I disconnected the battery which did reset the system and displays. I suppose I better carry tools with me to be able to disconnect the battery on the interstate, next time. This is disgusting to me, that VW would not provide some kind of reset option in a very dangerous situation like this. During my event, I called both their “roadside assistance” and customer service, WITH NO BLUE TOOTH, and neither of them were able to help me in any way, except tell me to pull over and have it towed.

NHTSA ID

11536448

Incident

Aug 3, 2023