The key facts

  • The cause is production errors at battery cell suppliers during a limited production period
  • Around 22,000 ID.4 vehicles are affected in the US; the campaign is not yet listed in Germany's KBA database
  • VW recommends limiting charging to 80% until the batteries are checked

New recall due to defective batteries

A few weeks after a recall over a defective bolt, Volkswagen is once again forced to recall thousands of vehicles — this time due to a suspected battery fault which, in the worst case, poses a fire risk. Recall campaigns have already been launched in the US and the UK; according to the authorities, around 22,000 ID.4 electric vehicles are affected in the US. VW now plans and is carrying out recall campaigns in Germany and other markets.

Cause and affected models

As Handelsblatt reports, citing internal quality checks, a number of battery cells turned out to be defective. A Volkswagen representative confirmed to the publication that the problem affects several thousand vehicles. The company cites production errors at suppliers as the cause; the defect is limited to a specific production period. According to Handelsblatt, the models in question are the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID Buzz and Cupra Born produced in 2023–2025, but the group does not officially confirm this list. Due to the defect, the batteries may be subject to increased thermal stress; in an extreme case, a fire cannot be ruled out, VW admits.

Coordination with authorities and urgent measures

A company representative said the recall is being prepared in close coordination with the relevant supervisory authorities, but the campaign is not yet listed in the database of Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). To prevent possible damage, VW recommends charging potentially affected vehicles to a maximum of 80%. Some vehicles will be recalled to service centres for battery checks; the restriction will be lifted for vehicles without the defect. If the fault is confirmed, the high-voltage module will not necessarily have to be replaced entirely — in some cases it is planned to fix it with a software update. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by letters about further steps.

Context: September recall and the EV market

In September, around 2.86 million VW and Audi vehicles worldwide were recalled due to a damaged bolt which, according to a KBA warning, could lead to steering failure. VW's electric vehicle business is strongest in Europe: the share of BEVs in the group's deliveries in the first three quarters of 2026 rose to 20% — every fifth vehicle sold was electric. At the same time, the group is facing falling demand globally, especially in China, whereas in Germany VW maintains dominance in both the new and used electric vehicle markets.