ID.4 Recalls 100,000 Vehicles
Doors May Open While Driving
Frequent Issues with ID.4
Volkswagen is recalling approximately 100,000 ID.4 compact electric SUVs in the U.S. due to a defect that may cause the doors to open unexpectedly. The ID.4 has emerged as Volkswagen’s top-selling model, with 1,852 units sold in South Korea from January to August 2024.
During this same period, the ID.4 accounted for 35.9% of Volkswagen’s total sales in South Korea. The model benefits from a government subsidy of about $3,696, the highest among imported electric vehicles. Its impressive 421 km (262 miles) driving range on a single charge is also a key factor driving sales. The recall issue in the U.S. has sparked interest among South Korean consumers, highlighting the potential impact on the model’s reputation.
Water Intrusion via Door Handle Causes Control Issues
The recall affects 98,806 ID.4 models manufactured between 2021 and 2024 at Volkswagen’s plants in Zwickau, Germany, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Notably, over 2,000 of these vehicles have been sold in South Korea. Volkswagen reported that the defect impacts less than 1% of all models produced.
The issue arises from an improperly attached thin film sticker designed to prevent contaminants from entering the door handle, which can allow water to seep in. Water infiltrates the door handle and may reach the internal circuit board, leading to communication problems between the door handle and the door control unit. This can result in unintended door unlock commands, occurring whether the vehicle is stationary or traveling below 15 km/h (9.3 mph), affecting all four doors.
135 Warranty Claims Filed
Parts Replacement Will Occur if Necessary
While the defect has not led to any crashes or injuries, Volkswagen has reported receiving 135 warranty claims between June 2023 and May 2024. The recall is being conducted through Volkswagen dealers in the U.S. When customers bring their vehicles to a dealership, each dealer will inspect the door handles and, if necessary, replace them with improved components.
In addition to the hardware fix, Volkswagen plans to implement a software update to adjust the ID. 4’s steering parameters. However, the ID.4 has faced consumer scrutiny due to a series of prior defects and ongoing recalls. After the issue was first identified in February 2024, Volkswagen initially announced a recall for 51,500 units, but the number of vehicles affected has since increased as more problems have been uncovered.
ID.4 Issues Persisted Last Year, Raising Fire Concerns
Volkswagen also faced recall challenges with the ID.4 in 2023. At that time, the defect was traced to a short circuit caused when the charging cable for the 12V battery came into contact with the steering column. This short circuit posed severe risks, potentially resulting in vehicle fires or loss of power while driving, which could lead to accidents.
Both recent issues are believed to be linked to components manufactured in a factory in Mexico. Specifically, Japanese auto parts supplier U-shin produces the door latch-related parts at its Irapuato facility. Concurrently, the cable associated with the 12V battery was also sourced from the same Mexican plant.
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