Volkswagen ID.4 (electric crossover)

2024: Recall of defective cars due to faulty airbags

In mid-September 2024, Volkswagen recalled 837 Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUVs for safety reasons. The problem lies in faulty front airbag superchargers, which can cause injuries to passengers.

Volkswagen identified this issue in June 2024, when an employee of the production team discovered a faulty airbag supercharger while inspecting a newly released vehicle. After a properly launched inspection program, Volkswagen identified defects in four superchargers with loose mounts.

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Bloomberg

Manufacturer Joyson Safety Systems has tested questionable airbag superchargers to determine whether loose nuts affect performance. The supplier initially told Volkswagen there was no cause for concern, however further tests showed the lock nuts would continue to loosen when exposed to vibrations. The automaker eventually referred the matter to the Product Safety Committee, which decided to withdraw the electric vehicles affected by the issue.

Since June 28, the supplier's procedure for manufacturing fastening nuts has been improved to eradicate the problem. The affected vehicles were produced between September 17, 2022 and June 11, 2024. Owners of these electric vehicles will be notified of the recall no later than October 18. Dealers have already been instructed to check the tightening of fasteners on affected cars. In case of loosening of the nuts, the front airbag on the passenger side will be replaced with a new assembly with properly tightened fasteners.

It is known that Volkswagen sold 16,742 ID.4 electric vehicles in 2021 in the United States, another 20,511 during 2022 and another 37,789 in 2023. Initially, this compact zero-emission crossover was produced in Germany according to US specifications. Local production began in July 2022 at an assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. [^[1]

2023

Recall of tens of thousands of defective electric vehicles

On February 1, 2023, the Volkswagen group announced the recall of ID.4 crossovers equipped with a fully electric power plant. A problem has been identified in cars that can lead to a sudden stop.

Defect is connected with software of storage battery control module and pulse inverter control unit. It is reported that the problem can provoke the release of these components, due to which during the movement there is a loss of traction. Under certain conditions, this can increase the risk of a traffic accident.

Volkswagen ID.4

The first reports of the defect began to arrive back in July 2021, but Volkswagen came to the conclusion that there is no unreasonable risk for drivers. The fact is that even in the event of a module reset, the possibility of steering and braking remains. However, complaints about the operation of ID.4 onboard equipment continued to come from Europe and although USA software electric vehicles no work-related accident was reported.

As a result, the Volkswagen group decided to initiate a vehicle recall. The program includes 20,904 ID.4 cars of the 2021 model range, which rolled off the assembly line from May 26, 2020 to January 20, 2022. By the end of March 2023, owners of problem cars will receive an alert through the dashboard with an offer to visit the dealership. The company's specialists will install an updated version of the software for the high-voltage battery control unit and the pulse inverter control module. It is noted that newer ID.4 cars are not affected by the problem, since they initially use the revised version of the software.

Previously, ID.4 owners in the United States also reported problems related to the car's infotainment system, various controls and smartphone integration.^[2]

Recall of defective electric vehicles due to short circuit

In early 2023, it became known about the recall of more than 1000 electric cars Volkswagen due to the risk of a short circuit. The problem could theoretically trigger a vehicle fire.

The recall notice is published on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration USA (NHTSA). The defect was identified in Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossovers. At the same time, the problem concerns the usual 12-volt, and accumulator not the traction battery unit. Due to a production defect, cable insulation can rub against the steering column shaft, which threatens to short-circuit. If this happens, the driver may have difficulty driving, which increases the risk of a traffic accident. The probability of electric shock is excluded, but theoretically a short circuit can provoke a fire.

Volkswagen ID.4

Owners of Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicles subject to the recall are advised to pay close attention to the warning signals on the dashboard associated with the 12-volt battery. The corresponding indication may indicate damage to the insulation and the occurrence of a short circuit. In some cases, the smell of burning or smoke may also be present - in which case the car should be parked immediately.

The problem affects 1,042 Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicles that were produced from October 18 to December 15, 2022. Moreover, the defect is present only in rear-wheel drive versions of the crossover - all-wheel drive modifications are not subject to the problem. As part of the recall campaign, Volkswagen dealers will check potentially defective vehicles for free for customers and carry out repairs or replace the cable if necessary. Monetary compensation for motorists is not provided.^[3]

2020: Announcement

In early March 2020, Volkswagen introduced the first electric crossover in its lineup. We are talking about the ID.4 car, created on the basis of the ID concept shown in 2017. Crozz.

The new electric car is built on the modular MEB platform, which the German auto giant developed specifically for machines with an electric power plant. Volkswagen says that thanks to honed aerodynamics and a reduced drag coefficient, the electric car will be able to drive up to 500 km without recharging. There is a fast charging system that allows you to increase the battery charge from 0% to 80% in half an hour.

Volkswagen introduced its first electric crossover - ID.4

Volkswagen ID.4 in size is located between Tiguan and Touareg. However, the shape of its body is completely different - unlike the pronounced two volumes of Tiguan and Touareg, the ID.4 is much more streamlined, gravitating towards natural forms, such as boulders polished with long-term exposure to water or air flows.

The novelty was equipped with a fully digital dashboard. Onboard systems can be controlled using touch panels, as well as using the voice assistant. The automaker did not announce more detailed technical characteristics of ID.4 in early March 2020.

Volkswagen electric crossover production will begin in 2020, and sales in 2021. Its cost is planned to be announced closer to entering the market. The electric car will be sold in the Chinese, American and European markets.

Initially, a version with rear-wheel drive will go on sale, after which all-wheel drive modifications with two power units installed on each axle will also be available.

Volkswagen held a presentation of the electric crossover ID.4, which will go into production in 2020

Volkswagen has high hopes for electric vehicles amid stagnant demand for traditional cars. The company hopes to sell up to 3 million such machines annually.^[4]

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