Volkswagen recalls more than 22,000 ID.4 EVs again over battery fire risk
Volkswagen’s EV battery problems continue. The German carmaker is recalling 22,524 ID.4 electric SUVs in the US because their high-voltage batteries could overheat and catch fire. The exact cause remains unknown, and until a solution is found, owners must limit charging to 80 per cent.
Four model years affected by an unresolved battery fault
According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the new recall covers Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles from model years 2023 to 2026. Under certain charging conditions, a state of charge above 80 per cent could trigger thermal runaway in the high-voltage battery, potentially causing a fire in the worst case.
Volkswagen has not yet conclusively identified the failure mechanism or developed a permanent fix. The 80 per cent charging limit is therefore intended to reduce the risk for now. The manufacturer plans to send the first safety notices to owners on 27 November 2026. The recall is designated 26V630, while Volkswagen’s internal code is 93EX.
The charging limit also means reduced range. For example, a battery with a usable capacity of 77 kWh would have approximately 61.6 kWh of energy available at an 80 per cent state of charge. On longer journeys, this could require an additional charging stop.
Volkswagen’s battery troubles are not new
In the spring, Volkswagen Group recalled nearly 100,000 electric vehicles worldwide, including Volkswagen ID-series models and Cupra Born vehicles. The problems concerned high-voltage battery modules whose potential faults could reduce range or increase the risk of fire.
In previous recalls, Volkswagen used software updates, battery condition checks and, where necessary, replacement of faulty modules. For the new recall, the manufacturer has not yet decided on a final repair procedure.
The recurring problems raise questions about battery quality control. The traction battery accounts for a significant share of an electric vehicle’s value, and its reliability directly affects both running costs and resale value.
What does the recall mean for Europe?
The current recall concerns the US market and does not automatically extend to ID.4 electric vehicles sold in Europe. Differences in production sites and battery suppliers mean the vehicles may not share the same technical configurations.
In the European market, the ID.4 competes primarily with the Tesla Model Y, Škoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Among these models, battery reliability is becoming an increasingly important competitive advantage, as range and charging speed are no longer the only factors influencing purchasing decisions.
ID.4 owners should check with an authorised Volkswagen dealer for any recalls affecting their vehicle, using its VIN.
For Volkswagen, the most uncomfortable aspect is not another recall, but the fact that the manufacturer still does not know exactly what is going wrong inside the batteries. Until the cause is clear, there is no basis for saying the problem has been resolved permanently.
