Electric cars are very popular, but sometimes they have some issues and Volkswagen’s most popular electric cars (the Volkswagen ID.4) is a great example. It’s true that many people want them because the seem cleaner and more modern, but some of these vehicles have been recalled due to possible fire risk, which may seem confusing or worrying for many people. So, let’s explain what’s happening with that model in more detail, shall we?
A new recall
A recall happens when a manufacturer finds out that some vehicles have a defect, which may not be the immediate problem, but it could be a safety risk if not fixed.
Today, we are going to tell you about the Volkswagen recall announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency of the U.S. government in charge of vehicles’ safety. When the NHTSA detects a possible issue, they inform the manufacturer and start checking the affected vehicles.
What was the issue?
The reason why the cars were experiencing some issues was the high-voltage battery, which is one of the key parts of an electric car since it allows the vehicle to work with no traditional fuel.
According to the recall report, in rare circumstances, some of these battery modules may suffer a phenomenon called ‘’thermal propagation.’’ Although the name seems complex, the idea it’s not: one part of the battery can become too hot, and that heat can spread to other parts of the battery. If this happens, there is a possibility that the vehicle could catch fire.
Volkswagen affected models
The recall officially began not that long ago, on January 21, 2026 and it affects more than 43,000 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles. More specifically, the models belonging to the years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
We must say that not every Volkswagen ID.4 is affected, only some from these manufacturing years. So, the fact that you have one of these cars doesn’t mean your car has the same issue.
How the issue affects drivers
There is another important thing we should mention about the report, it explains that if a vehicle has this battery issue, the driver might notice changes in how the car behaves. These changes may include:
- Reduced performance: the car may feel less powerful, slower to react when you press the accelerator, or not as smooth to drive as usual.
- Reduced driving range: the car may run out of battery sooner, so you won’t be able to drive as far before needing to recharge.
In some cases, drivers may not notice any signs at all and that’s why it’s important the existance of recalls. We might be driving a car with issues thatcould risk our safety on the road, and we don’t even notice it. That’s very dangerous, right?
What Volkswagen ID.4 owners should do
The report advises anyone who has concerns about their vehicle to contact their Volkswagen dealer. Then, the dealer can check whether the vehicle is included in the recall and take the appropriate steps.
The great thing about recalls related to safety issues is that they are typically handled at no cost to the vehicle owner, as they are part of the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure safety.
To sum up
Volkswagen and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have chosen to act early rather than wait for problems to occur, which shows how careful monitoring and timely action help ensure that electric vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4 remain a reliable and secure choice for everyday driving.
So, the best thing you can do is to stay informed and contact your Volkswagen dealer if you think your car has some issues.