Volkswagen has recently announced two recalls affecting nearly 100,000 units of its ID.4 electric vehicle. The larger recall addresses an issue with the door handles, which has led to both a stop-sale and a production suspension for the ID.4.
“After thorough evaluation, in light of the stop-sale of the ID.4, we will temporarily cease production of the vehicle at the Volkswagen Chattanooga facility until a solution is implemented,” stated Volkswagen spokesperson Mark Gillies to The Car Connection. “This disruption does not alter our commitment to the ID.4 or our expanding BEV lineup. The ID.4 continues to be one of America’s top-selling electric vehicles.”
2024 Volkswagen ID.4
The first, more extensive recall covers 98,806 vehicles produced between 2021 and 2024. These vehicles may have been fitted with improperly manufactured door handles, which risk allowing water to penetrate a printed circuit board. This could disrupt communication with an onboard control unit, potentially causing the door to unlock unexpectedly.
Volkswagen estimates that fewer than 1% of the affected vehicles have this defect, which originates from door handles that do not conform to factory standards regarding water ingress, as noted in recall documents submitted to the NHTSA. If the doors do unlock inadvertently, drivers will hear a clicking sound resembling the sounds made when doors are unlocked through conventional means.
The automaker informed the NHTSA that it is aware of 135 warranty claims linked to this situation (filed between June 2023 and May 2024) but has not reported any incidents of crashes or injuries connected to it. Volkswagen had previously issued two recalls for this same issue; those who received prior recall service will need to return to dealerships for additional repairs.
This time around, dealers will evaluate door handles and replace them with upgraded parts as needed, along with conducting a software update. All repairs will be offered at no cost, and VW will reimburse owners who have paid for related services out of pocket. Notification letters to owners are set to be mailed out on November 1.
ID.4 airbag inflator recall
The second recall, which affects 837 vehicles from model years 2023 and 2024, pertains to airbag inflators that may not have been securely attached. The nuts securing the primary inflator of the passenger front airbag may have been left loose during manufacturing. This could lead to improper deployment of the airbags, elevating the risk of injury, according to the NHTSA.
Volkswagen estimates that a significant portion of the affected vehicles—80%—may have this defect. Owners may notice a rattling sound coming from the dashboard if the nuts holding the airbag inflator are loose.
Dealers will assess the torque on the airbag inflator screws, replacing the airbag at no charge if any screws are found to be loose. Notification letters regarding this recall will be sent out on October 18. For more information about either recall, owners can reach out to VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or visit VW’s recall hub.
These recalls also impact the updated 2024 VW ID.4, which has seen a price increase to $41,160, including destination fees, but remains one of the more cost-effective electric crossover choices, particularly for buyers eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The 2024 ID.4 was not part of an earlier recall this year that addressed software and display issues in previous models.
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