Volkswagen is stopping sales and production of the ID.4 crossover due to possible safety problems while driving. Nearly 100,000 electric vehicles are being recalled due to defective door handles that can open spontaneously.
Image source: Volkswagen
According to Ars Technica, the door handles do not meet waterproof standards, causing water to flood the door’s electronic control board, potentially causing it to open while driving. In this regard, the company imposed a ban on the sale of ID.4 by dealers and suspended production at the plant in Chattanooga (USA, Tennessee). The ban applies to both used cars and new ones on dealer lots.
The first complaints from owners began to be received in February 2024, and already in June, together with suppliers, Volkswagen determined that the problem was related to insufficient protection of the door handle electronics from water ingress and subsequent corrosion. The recall affects all ID.4 models sold in the United States. There are 99,064 vehicles in total, ranging from the first 2021 models built in Germany to the latest 2024 models built in the USA.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also launched its own investigation after receiving 12 reports of ID.4 doors opening while driving. NHTSA determined that all of these vehicles were subject to a recall in 2023 and asked Volkswagen for information about why the problem was not corrected.
Ars Technica contacted the company and received the following comments: “After a thorough analysis of the situation, in connection with the ban on the sale of ID.4, we will temporarily suspend production of the crossover until a solution is found. We are working to resolve the issue and are focused on minimizing the impact on our employees, dealers and customers. This situation in no way changes our view of the ID.4 and our growing portfolio of electric vehicles. The ID.4 continues to be one of the best-selling electric vehicles in America.”
There are currently no reports of crashes or injuries related to the faulty door handles, but Volkswagen reports 293 warranty claims for the issue and that vehicle owners will be notified of the recall by November 1st.