169 of the 840 complaints about the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 are about the driver-assist systems — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 10,272 miles.
169
Complaints
46
Crashes
0
Fires
11
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Sudden acceleration while parking in my garage. Very low speed,then sudden “explosive “ acceleration smashing the front end and garage contents
NHTSA complaint #11752981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Sudden acceleration while parking in my garage. Very low speed,then sudden “explosive “ acceleration smashing the front end and garage contents
NHTSA complaint #11752981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
7/14/26 my wife attempted to park our 2023 VW ID.4 Pro S AWD. She pulled into the spot with two hands on the steering wheel, her foot off of the accelerator, with the car being slowed by regenerative braking, and the car suddenly accelerated and crashed through a fence and hit a cement barrier. The air bags did not deploy. After the accident that most likely totaled the car, my wife's foot was on the brake. The two challenges we noted were 1. The car should have not accelerated on its own and 2. The air bags should have deployed given the violence of this crash.
NHTSA complaint #11750458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1. My tires are half recommended pressure on ALL tires yet yet the automatic monitoring system does not record any abnormality. This is a dangerous system because it tells me everything is ok when it is not. This is on all four tires. 2. When backing up with a trailer the car slams on the brakes as it thinks someone is there and you can’t always turn it off. There is an X you hit to turn off but if you forget…. Sometimes the X doesn’t appear and you have to shift forward then reverse then forward then reverse to get the X to appear and so you can back up without brakes slamming on. Hard to use bike rack because of this.
NHTSA complaint #11748918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect in my 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro involving GPS location, SOS/Car-Net/connected services, and driver-assistance availability. The vehicle has repeatedly shown an incorrect GPS location. Authorized VW dealers documented related SOS/connected-services concerns, including “no green light,” “no satellites seen,” an open TAC/Techline case, and no completed verified repair. On a later visit, the dealer documented that there was still no Techline update and no fault codes present for this issue. I have been advised to wait for Volkswagen/Techline/Connected Services because the issue may require a future software, backend, or OTA update. However, the vehicle remains unrepaired while the GPS/SOS/connected-services condition continues. The absence of fault codes may mean the vehicle is not recording a conventional hardware diagnostic trouble code, but the problem is still present. My concern is not merely an infotainment inconvenience. The issue may affect the vehicle’s ability to determine or report its location, the status of SOS/connected services, and the availability of Travel Assist/adaptive cruise-related functions. I did not activate the SOS emergency button as a test because I did not want to initiate a false emergency call. I cannot determine whether this is caused by hardware, software, backend systems, module firmware, or a combination of factors. I also cannot determine whether other vehicles are affected. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can review whether this GPS/SOS/connected-services condition warrants further safety review.
NHTSA complaint #11747763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect in my 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro involving GPS location, SOS/Car-Net/connected services, and driver-assistance availability. The vehicle has repeatedly shown an incorrect GPS location. Authorized VW dealers documented related SOS/connected-services concerns, including “no green light,” “no satellites seen,” an open TAC/Techline case, and no completed verified repair. On a later visit, the dealer documented that there was still no Techline update and no fault codes present for this issue. I have been advised to wait for Volkswagen/Techline/Connected Services because the issue may require a future software, backend, or OTA update. However, the vehicle remains unrepaired while the GPS/SOS/connected-services condition continues. The absence of fault codes may mean the vehicle is not recording a conventional hardware diagnostic trouble code, but the problem is still present. My concern is not merely an infotainment inconvenience. The issue may affect the vehicle’s ability to determine or report its location, the status of SOS/connected services, and the availability of Travel Assist/adaptive cruise-related functions. I did not activate the SOS emergency button as a test because I did not want to initiate a false emergency call. I cannot determine whether this is caused by hardware, software, backend systems, module firmware, or a combination of factors. I also cannot determine whether other vehicles are affected. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can review whether this GPS/SOS/connected-services condition warrants further safety review.
NHTSA complaint #11747763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Pulled into a parking space with foot on the brake and accelerator pedal. The vehicle sped forward, pushing a car parked in front of me into the driveway, just missing another vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11745270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Pulled into a parking space with foot on the brake and accelerator pedal. The vehicle sped forward, pushing a car parked in front of me into the driveway, just missing another vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11745270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
While driving very slow in a subdivision to enter a driveway my car suddenly accelerated and the peal went down. I steered to the right to avoid hitting the garage door and the car crashed against the wall at the side of the garage door. The distance between the curve and the house in very short. The friend I was visiting was by the door and the neighbor right in front of the house witnessed all. My wife was in the passenger side. By coincidence the lady across the street that saw the incident came running towards us point at the car and screaming :"those cars have a sensor problem". I made the claim to insurance and open a case with VW USA. VW USA sent a technician to the shop and concluded that the pedal was pushed all the way down and therefore it was my fault. My take is it was the adaptive cruise control that was triggered the cruise control (which by the way I NEVER USE) when I was turning right to enter the driveway at very low speed. There was no lights indicating malfunction prior to the incident. I was very concerned that I could have hit either my friend or any other person near the house. When I came back home I googled by "VW ID.4 sudden acceleration" and saw many many incidents with ID.4 and other models using adaptative cruise control.
NHTSA complaint #11744412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Gps module is non functioning after software update 3.8.11 Gps module consistently shows wrong location and speed in addition to constantly pinging the driver visually and audibly which distracts the driver and covers the main display with a message that it is unavailable. It also affects the semi autonomous driving function, making it randomly brake and behave erratically because it doesng know where it is. This will cause an accident. Consistently showing hundreds of miles off and has been reported by other users as being an issue VW is aware of but refuses to address.
NHTSA complaint #11738778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Gps module is non functioning after software update 3.8.11 Gps module consistently shows wrong location and speed in addition to constantly pinging the driver visually and audibly which distracts the driver and covers the main display with a message that it is unavailable. It also affects the semi autonomous driving function, making it randomly brake and behave erratically because it doesng know where it is. This will cause an accident. Consistently showing hundreds of miles off and has been reported by other users as being an issue VW is aware of but refuses to address.
NHTSA complaint #11738778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
While entering a parking lot at a low speed, with my foot already firmly applied to the brake due to the close proximity of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own unexpectedly. Despite continuous pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle proceeded forward, struck another parked vehicle, and continued moving for approximately two additional seconds before coming to a stop on its own. Additionally, no forward collision/crash warning alert was activated prior to impact, and the airbags did not deploy during the collision.
NHTSA complaint #11738431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While entering a parking lot at a low speed, with my foot already firmly applied to the brake due to the close proximity of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own unexpectedly. Despite continuous pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle proceeded forward, struck another parked vehicle, and continued moving for approximately two additional seconds before coming to a stop on its own. Additionally, no forward collision/crash warning alert was activated prior to impact, and the airbags did not deploy during the collision.
NHTSA complaint #11738431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
When I was backing from a parking space, another car drove behind mine and the car's maneuvering braking kicked in and decelerated the vehicle. When I stepped on the brake, the car then accelerated backwards and caused me to collide with the crossing vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11736787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
When I was backing from a parking space, another car drove behind mine and the car's maneuvering braking kicked in and decelerated the vehicle. When I stepped on the brake, the car then accelerated backwards and caused me to collide with the crossing vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11736787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
UNKNOWN -- I was turning 90 deg from the street into my 30' driveway, going very slow as usual with foot on brake pedal to slow further before entering the garage (the door had just finished lifting). But as I was straightening the steering coming out of turn, the car suddenly accelerated, brakes and steering both were unresponsive and the car smashed into the garage. Slowed further by the impact, the car caromed into the garage stairs smashing them to pieces before coming to rest against the rear garage wall after I hit the OFF button (it's an EV). There was no alert from the onboard systems of a pending crash and the air bags did NOT deploy. I was uninjured. Posting my accident on a social media owners group, other owners have had similar experience of the electronics going out while driving. The car remains at a 45 deg angle inside the garage now 6 days later awaiting the insurance company to come and extricate it for their assessment of the damage to the car.
NHTSA complaint #11734381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
UNKNOWN -- I was turning 90 deg from the street into my 30' driveway, going very slow as usual with foot on brake pedal to slow further before entering the garage (the door had just finished lifting). But as I was straightening the steering coming out of turn, the car suddenly accelerated, brakes and steering both were unresponsive and the car smashed into the garage. Slowed further by the impact, the car caromed into the garage stairs smashing them to pieces before coming to rest against the rear garage wall after I hit the OFF button (it's an EV). There was no alert from the onboard systems of a pending crash and the air bags did NOT deploy. I was uninjured. Posting my accident on a social media owners group, other owners have had similar experience of the electronics going out while driving. The car remains at a 45 deg angle inside the garage now 6 days later awaiting the insurance company to come and extricate it for their assessment of the damage to the car.
NHTSA complaint #11734381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V344000 (Back Prevention, Equipment, Electrical System); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed; however, the vehicle failed to start and became inoperable after the repair. The dealer determined that the emergency call module needed to be replaced but at the vehicle owner’s expense. The contact declined to pay for the repair and contacted the manufacturer, who referred the contact to another dealer for a second opinion. The vehicle remained with the first dealer because the vehicle was undrivable, and because the second dealer was 2 hours away. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer offered no help in covering the cost of the repair. The contact stated that the recall repair had failed to prevent the failure and caused the vehicle to become inoperable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The driver of my vehicle stated that my car suddenly lurched forward striking a cross passing vehicle. He did not accelerate and the emergency brake system failed to engage in advance of an obvious and avoidable crash.
NHTSA complaint #11728935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Request for Investigation: Volkswagen is intentionally ignoring a widespread GPS/SOS module failure and leaving thousands of battery fire hazards on the road, while its dealers exploit safety service visits to extort customers. I urge the NHTSA to launch a formal investigation into VW’s failure to recall the defective GPS modules and their systemic practice of offering cash settlements to suppress safety defect reporting. Thank you for your attention to this urgent public safety matter. I stand ready to provide all supporting documentation, including the dealer’s fraudulent invoice and VW’s settlement communications, upon your request. I respectfully urge the NHTSA to act swiftly and decisively to prevent another corporate cover-up like Dieselgate, and before these unaddressed safety defects result in a fatal tragedy—as we recently saw with Hyundai's delayed recall following a child's death.
NHTSA complaint #11724884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Request for Investigation: Volkswagen is intentionally ignoring a widespread GPS/SOS module failure and leaving thousands of battery fire hazards on the road, while its dealers exploit safety service visits to extort customers. I urge the NHTSA to launch a formal investigation into VW’s failure to recall the defective GPS modules and their systemic practice of offering cash settlements to suppress safety defect reporting. Thank you for your attention to this urgent public safety matter. I stand ready to provide all supporting documentation, including the dealer’s fraudulent invoice and VW’s settlement communications, upon your request. I respectfully urge the NHTSA to act swiftly and decisively to prevent another corporate cover-up like Dieselgate, and before these unaddressed safety defects result in a fatal tragedy—as we recently saw with Hyundai's delayed recall following a child's death.
NHTSA complaint #11724884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My wife was involved in an accident where the car (2023 VW ID4) drove itself and crashed into six parked cars while she was attempting to apply the brakes and had no control of the steering (it drove itself). I had the insurance carrier pull down the EDR data (attached) and I have attached the Police Accident Report (attached) for your review. Thankfully, no one was injured and I have enough liability coverage to cover the property damage but would like to see this matter investigated realizing we were lucky the next person may not be.
NHTSA complaint #11711391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My wife was involved in an accident where the car (2023 VW ID4) drove itself and crashed into six parked cars while she was attempting to apply the brakes and had no control of the steering (it drove itself). I had the insurance carrier pull down the EDR data (attached) and I have attached the Police Accident Report (attached) for your review. Thankfully, no one was injured and I have enough liability coverage to cover the property damage but would like to see this matter investigated realizing we were lucky the next person may not be.
NHTSA complaint #11711391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
My wife was involved in an accident where the car (2023 VW ID4) drove itself and crashed into six parked cars while she was attempting to apply the brakes and had no control of the steering (it drove itself). I had the insurance carrier pull down the EDR data (attached) and I have attached the Police Accident Report (attached) for your review. Thankfully, no one was injured and I have enough liability coverage to cover the property damage but would like to see this matter investigated realizing we were lucky the next person may not be.
NHTSA complaint #11711391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
At a stop, the car began rapid acceleration by itself, the auto emergency brake began but it bypassed it and began accelerating again causing me to rear end someone at a red light
NHTSA complaint #11703344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
At a stop, the car began rapid acceleration by itself, the auto emergency brake began but it bypassed it and began accelerating again causing me to rear end someone at a red light
NHTSA complaint #11703344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Continuously receiving error message to have front sensors cleaned. Vehicle brought into dealership several times, for weeks at a time. On last visit sensors replaced, and I was told that “ The front sensors have a level of damage caused by sand, salt and other road debris. This has resulted in some scratches which are triggering the sensors and giving you the warnings that you are referring to.” Given this, the front sensor issues are a manufacturing flaw. I asked this if the dealer and, given the stated cause of sand, salt and road debris the likely frequency. With no answer.
NHTSA complaint #11698409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Continuously receiving error message to have front sensors cleaned. Vehicle brought into dealership several times, for weeks at a time. On last visit sensors replaced, and I was told that “ The front sensors have a level of damage caused by sand, salt and other road debris. This has resulted in some scratches which are triggering the sensors and giving you the warnings that you are referring to.” Given this, the front sensor issues are a manufacturing flaw. I asked this if the dealer and, given the stated cause of sand, salt and road debris the likely frequency. With no answer.
NHTSA complaint #11698409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On October 04/2025 The vehicle was parked and stationary when it suddenly accelerated forward on its own. The brakes were completely unresponsive. I had a passenger in the front seat, and both she and I are certain that I was pressing the brake, but the car did not slow down at all. Within a few seconds, the vehicle gained speed, and I lost control. There was no space to maneuver, and I could do nothing but brace myself against the seat and watch my rear passengers. The vehicle continued forward and crashed into a tree directly in front, causing damage to the right side of the bumper, and a large rock in front also received the impact. The airbags did not deploy. The two rear passengers struck their heads during the impact and sustained bumps, and my dog was also affected in the collision.This accident occurred despite the car having a recent annual inspection and software update. The sudden acceleration is not the only issue I have experienced with this vehicle. I have had additional safety concerns. The doors would lock, unlock and open by themselves while driving on the freeway. On May 2024, my dog was trapped inside when the doors locked automatically with my keys inside the car. I had to ask a police official in my neighborhood for a phone to call roadside assistance, and it took several hours to get my dog out of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11693946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On October 04/2025 The vehicle was parked and stationary when it suddenly accelerated forward on its own. The brakes were completely unresponsive. I had a passenger in the front seat, and both she and I are certain that I was pressing the brake, but the car did not slow down at all. Within a few seconds, the vehicle gained speed, and I lost control. There was no space to maneuver, and I could do nothing but brace myself against the seat and watch my rear passengers. The vehicle continued forward and crashed into a tree directly in front, causing damage to the right side of the bumper, and a large rock in front also received the impact. The airbags did not deploy. The two rear passengers struck their heads during the impact and sustained bumps, and my dog was also affected in the collision.This accident occurred despite the car having a recent annual inspection and software update. The sudden acceleration is not the only issue I have experienced with this vehicle. I have had additional safety concerns. The doors would lock, unlock and open by themselves while driving on the freeway. On May 2024, my dog was trapped inside when the doors locked automatically with my keys inside the car. I had to ask a police official in my neighborhood for a phone to call roadside assistance, and it took several hours to get my dog out of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11693946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.