501 of the
1,791 complaints filed about the Volkswagen ID.4
are about the electrical system —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2023.
Incident Summary VW ID.4 Loss of Power/Stall Date: Monday, September 7, 2026 Location: Highway (3-lane), traveling ~45 mph Vehicle: Volkswagen ID.4 Sequence of events: While driving at approximately 45 mph, multiple warning messages appeared in rapid succession: ESC Error "Electrical system not working correctly" "Front Assist is not available" Error Rear Traffic Alert Error "12V power supply. Safely park the vehicle! See owner's manual." The vehicle lost accelerator power and came to a stall on the highway. Driver performed a reset/restart of the vehicle. Vehicle moved approximately 100 meters before stalling again, with the same set of error codes reappearing. Prior history: Safety concern: Loss of propulsion and multiple critical system failures (ESC, electrical, driver-assist systems, 12V supply) occurring simultaneously while in highway traffic represents a significant safety hazard — both from the stall itself and from the affected safety systems (ESC, Front Assist) being disabled.
NHTSA complaint #11763357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V030000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle failed to charge with chargers more than 220 Volts, and the message "Electrical System Not Working Correctly, Please Service Vehicle" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11762796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PRIMARY SAFETY DEFECT — SUDDEN STOP IN ACTIVE TRAFFIC: The vehicle suffers from severe, uncommanded electrical/drive-system shutdowns. While driving in live traffic, the ID.4 panics, flashes error alerts on the display, and abruptly stops within seconds. This sudden, violent stopping in active lanes creates an extreme safety hazard, leaving the EV dead in traffic with no warning and creating an immediate, severe risk of high-speed rear-end collisions, loss of control, and serious occupant injury. SECONDARY SAFETY DEFECT — ELECTRICAL & CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE: Immediately upon picking up the EV post-warranty service on Aug 31, 2026, the dash displayed persistent error messages: "Your Charging Socket is not working." A VW Master Tech/Engineer at the dealership evaluated the vehicle, witnessed the failure, and explicitly warned that driving long distances poses a severe risk of complete vehicle disablement and becoming stranded on public roads due to total charging failure.REPAIR HISTORY & DAYS OUT OF SERVICE (OOS): The safety issues first occurred around Feb 2025 (towed to dealer). Since then, I returned the EV to the authorized dealer (Jim Ellis VW Kennesaw) at least 5 separate times for the same unresolved flaws. The vehicle has been OOS for warranty repairs for over 90 cumulative days, including 60+ continuous days during the last visit. Dealer diagnostic logs confirm central control unit (CCU) replacements and extensive electrical repairs, yet the hazardous conditions remain uncorrected. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: VW Group of America acknowledged this history under cases 07530936, 07526164, 07386099, 07334984, and 07709898. VW offered a $4.5k cash settlement, which I rejected as insufficient to address the extreme safety risks. VW has since refused a repurchase, ended negotiations, and closed the case without resolving the defect. This EV is dangerous and unroadworthy. My family and I have lost all confidence in this car.
NHTSA complaint #11762220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is a follow-up to my previous complaint #XXX regarding my 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 (VIN [XXX]). The defect remains unresolved. My vehicle received Recall 93EA (high-voltage battery) on XXX, during which only 3 of 12 battery modules (Modules 1, 5, and 12) were replaced. On XXX, a different module (Module 3) in the same battery pack failed with the same type of fault (P0BBD00 - Hybrid Battery Pack Voltage Variation Exceeded Limit). This was independently confirmed by a second authorized Volkswagen dealership (Norm Reeves Volkswagen Irvine) on XXX. Volkswagen has denied that this failure is related to Recall 93EA, but has not provided any technical explanation for that conclusion despite multiple written requests. Volkswagen Customer CARE has stated they only rely on dealership findings and do not independently investigate root causes. The dealership, in turn, has said it does not know the underlying cause of the recall and directed me back to Volkswagen. Neither party has explained the actual root cause of the defect that led to Recall 93EA or why a second module failed the same way just months after the recall repair. The vehicle has been effectively undriveable since XXX due to this unresolved safety defect. I have consulted multiple attorneys, all of whom declined to take legal action primarily because the vehicle's mileage places it outside standard state Lemon Law protections — despite the fact that this concerns an open, unresolved federal safety recall with no mileage limitation under 49 U.S.C. § 30120. I am submitting this follow-up to ensure NHTSA has current, updated information on this ongoing and unresolved defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11760091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The J949 Telematics/OCU Gateway Module on my 2023 VW ID.4 (VIN: [XXX]) has suffered a critical software lockup, causing a perpetual boot and local user login loop. This defect has completely frozen and locked out the User Privacy and Communication Settings menus. Because the telematics gateway is frozen and failing to authenticate, the vehicle’s cellular-connected SOS Emergency Call system and automated crash-notification telemetry are compromised and unreliable. The manufacturer (Volkswagen) has acknowledged the menu is missing under TAC Case #XXX but refuses to authorize a physical component power-cycle or warranty replacement, claiming a vehicle failing to load its safety and telemetry configurations is 'operating as designed.' Note: the Service Manager escalated to the TAC but they did not help and indicate 'operating as designed'. I called VW Customer Care and asked it to be escalated to a Regional Case Manager but they won't escalate given TAC says its operating as designed. Customer Care did issue a ticket, ref# XXX to have a supervisor call me back within 24 hrs...but I have not received any calls from a supervisor. I escalated by email to Executive Care and have not received a response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11759139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle developed a charging/electrical/high-voltage battery problem. Level 3 charging stopped first, then charging later stopped on all levels. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Volkswagen dealer on 08/06/2026. The dealer referenced high-voltage battery/module and charging-system issues, including fault/code information involving P0BBD00 / J840 / 008C and campaign/action history involving 93P7 / 97ZZ. The dealer quoted a very expensive repair involving a high-voltage battery/module condition and charging-system components. The unresolved safety concern is that the dealer/manufacturer have not provided a clear written answer on whether the vehicle can be safely charged, operated, towed, released, or repaired elsewhere while the high-voltage battery/module condition remains unresolved. They also have not clearly answered whether the charge-door / charge-port / connector-lock / socket / AX4-J1050 issue is separate from the high-voltage battery/module condition or whether it caused or contributed to the no-charge condition. The underlying diagnostic output, measured values, DTC/freeze-frame data, campaign/action history, technician notes, and written safety/repair-path explanation have been requested but not provided in the form requested. I am concerned the vehicle may have an unresolved high-voltage battery or charging-system defect and that prior/current campaign handling may be relevant.
NHTSA complaint #11757937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On board navigation has been lost since 1/26/2024 and shows me driving across lakes, rivers or 300 miles away from where my current location is. VW has continued to blamed Verizon wireless but that excuse is tired now 2.5 years later. This issue breaks the speed limit sign display so I have seen it showing a 70 MPH speed limit on a 25 MPH residential road or a 25 MPH speed limit on a 70 MPH freeway. Not to mention it is entirely useless if you get lost where you don't have poor cell service which did happen to me once back when this problem started. The Verizon blame is tired.
NHTSA complaint #11757727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The infotainment screen and heads up display screen are constantly going black and rebooting, causing a loss of the speedometer for up to a minute at a time. Occasionally, the entire vehicle loses power and the accelerator does not work for a few seconds. The shop says it is the 5F control module, which was described by the dealership as handling one half of the high voltage current, as well as controlling the infotainment screen. If this module is responsible for half of the high voltage current, I don't understand why they claim it is not covered by the 8 year/80,000 warranty on the high voltage battery and related components.
NHTSA complaint #11757755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car was in neutral while in a drive through car wash. Then, when stopped and shifted to drive, the car bolted forward very suddenly and fast. Went through fence.
NHTSA complaint #11757476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2nd time in under a month where the entire display system has gone blank while driving (this time at a slower speed but still to the point where speed, vehicle info, displays, etc all went black) - this is a serious safety issue when you lose all vehicle information while driving. This requires a recall for a fix asap before someone is seriously injured.
NHTSA complaint #11755421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I received a factory recall notice from Volkswagen regarding the high-voltage battery in my ID.4 (Recall 93EA). I brought the vehicle to Volkswagen South Coast ([XXX]) for the recall repair on XXX completed XXX where the dealer found the battery testing "not OK" and replaced Modules 1, 5, and 12. On XXX — less than three months later — a battery warning light returned. The dealer found fault code P0BBD00 and identified Module 3, a different module not replaced during the recall, as internally defective, and quoted $5,301.68 to replace it. I contacted Volkswagen Customer CARE requesting confirmation of whether this is related to the recall and a technical basis for their determination. Volkswagen responded stating the dealership found the two issues unrelated, but provided no technical explanation for that conclusion. I believe the original recall defect was not fully remedied. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11753789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am driving home from work and I’m right around the corner from my house. As soon as I try to make a turn, the car begins beeping and the faults “Electrical system malfunction” and “12V power supply” show up. My car does not accelerate, I lose power steering, and I can no longer move while I’m still in the middle of the road with cars around me. Thankfully, there was a slight downhill that allowed me to coast somewhat off the road, but I had to push this 4600+ lbs car (by myself) further so it wasn’t sticking out. I had to get 4 other people to help push the car to my house across a residential collector road which took ~20 mins just to go a couple hundred feet. This is the THIRD time of this occurring, twice I’ve been to the dealership, and twice they told me they couldn’t replicate the issue. The other times “thankfully” occurred when the car was already parked, but one of the instances required a tow; this was not even a week after buying the car. The second time occurred not even 5 hours after getting my car back from the dealership service center, requiring me to ditch the car in the parking lot (dealership was closed). I’ve had the car for a little under a month. This is incredibly unsafe. I work in downtown and go on many major roads/interstates during my commute. If this would’ve happened on the freeway or a busier road, a serious accident and/or injury could’ve occurred.
NHTSA complaint #11752552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My primary safety complaint is that the automatic emergency-call function failed during an actual airbag-deployment collision even though the SOS indicator was green and appeared to show that the system was operational. The vehicle is a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, VIN [XXX]. On XXX, at approximately 8:04 a.m., while traveling southbound on Columbia Pike near Trader Joe’s, the vehicle was involved in a collision that deployed the airbags. The vehicle automatically initiated the emergency-call sequence but announced words to the effect of, “Your call cannot be completed.” The Montgomery County Police Department investigated the collision under Incident Number XXX. Fortunately, a passerby witnessed the collision and assistance was available. Without that person, emergency assistance could have been delayed, increasing the risk of serious harm. An injured, disoriented, trapped, or unconscious occupant may not be able to locate a phone and call [XXX]. The vehicle had a prior history of recurring GPS, SOS, and connected-services failures. It was presented to authorized Volkswagen dealers four times while under warranty, and a Volkswagen TAC case was opened, but no root cause or permanent repair was documented. Shortly after Volkswagen was notified that a lemon-law filing would proceed, the GPS, green SOS indicator, and some connected functions appeared to return for about two days without any explanation of a repair, software update, reset, remote action, or configuration change. The GPS then became inaccurate again, while the SOS indicator remained green. I request that NHTSA investigate why the indicator remained green when the automatic crash call could not connect, whether Volkswagen verifies actual voice and location functionality before displaying the green indicator, and whether affected vehicles require a safety recall or other corrective action. The complete statement and supporting evidence are attached as Exhibit 0. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11752045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S AWD (approximately 40,000 miles) has a persistent GPS navigation system failure where the vehicle displays an incorrect location. This is a safety concern as the navigation system cannot be relied upon for accurate directions or location awareness. The following repair attempts have been made at the dealership: - TSB 91-24-05 was performed and was unsuccessful - The OCU (Onboard Communication Unit) was fully replaced and was unsuccessful - A VTA (Volkswagen Technical Assistance) case was opened VW Customer Care, Car-Net, and two separate dealerships have been unable to resolve this issue. I was told by multiple VW representatives that there is currently no available fix and that Car-Net will contact me when a resolution is available — which has not happened despite months of waiting. I am currently within my 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Volkswagen has been unable to fulfill their warranty obligation to repair this known defect. This GPS failure affects safe navigation and represents a safety concern for the driver."
NHTSA complaint #11752208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the infotainment system glitched and turn off intermittently and the safety information and systems were inoperable. The contact received notification a software update for the infotainment system. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts to do the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (Structure) was not yet available. The dealer also informed the contact that the software update would be performed over the air. No repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #11751550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact stated that the infotainment system glitched and turn off intermittently causing the safety information and systems to become inoperable. The contact received notification of software update for the infotainment system. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (Structure) was not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the software update would be performed over-the-air. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #11751552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Potential undercounting of safety defects through Volkswagen’s no-DTC/no-repair process. I recently located and reviewed a video recorded on February 18, 2025. It was originally made to document a remote climate-control malfunction, not a GPS problem. While reviewing it because of recurring GPS and SOS failures, I noticed that the same video also captured an incorrect speed-limit display. While traveling south on US-29/Columbia Pike near Greencastle Road, the vehicle was traveling at 53 mph with cruise control set at 55 mph. Google Maps displayed a 55-mph speed limit while the Volkswagen instrument cluster displayed 35 mph. My 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 remains under warranty. I have taken it to Volkswagen dealers four times for recurring GPS-location, SOS/emergency-communication, and connected-services failures. No permanent repair was completed. Dealers told me that because no relevant diagnostic trouble code was stored, they could not replace a component or perform another repair without Volkswagen authorization. During another failure, when the SOS indicator was not illuminated, I pressed the service-call button. The call did not connect. The system announced vehicle coordinates, but they were incorrect. This raises concern that inaccurate location information could be provided during an emergency if the SOS system relies on the same data. A Volkswagen TAC case was opened, but there was no meaningful progress or documented repair. After escalation, the SOS indicator and some functions appeared to return without an explanation of what action had been performed. The GPS later became inaccurate again. The SOS light remains illuminated, but Volkswagen has not verified the emergency-location function or identified the root cause. My concern is that Volkswagen’s no-DTC repair requirement leaves an observable, recurring safety defect unrepaired and may prevent these events from becoming completed warranty claims or being recognized as part of a broader defect pattern.
NHTSA complaint #11751392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The previous recall to fix the screen issue did not work. Both screens, the infotainment and instrument cluster, continue to randomly go blank and reboot. This removes the backup camera and speedometer for a period of time while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11750747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S has unexpectedly lost propulsion and come to a complete stop while being driven on at least three separate occasions. When this occurs, the vehicle jolts, stops moving, and cannot be placed into Drive or Reverse. I am only able to shift it into Neutral. After the first incident, I took the vehicle to a Volkswagen dealership the following morning. The dealership stated they could not reproduce the problem or identify any faults. The same failure occurred twice in one day this week. During one of those incidents, the vehicle lost propulsion and stopped in the middle of a busy street, creating a serious safety hazard because I was unable to move the vehicle out of traffic. Immediately before and during the failure, the vehicle displayed multiple warning messages, including: Error: Drive system. Please safely stop the vehicle. Electrical system not working correctly. Please service vehicle. Error: Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Front Assist is not available. Lane Assist is currently not available. Rear Traffic Alert is currently not available. Park Distance Control is not available. Error: Auto Hold. These warnings appeared at the same time the vehicle lost propulsion. The vehicle stalled without warning while driving and became undriveable. This is extremely concerning because it can occur suddenly in traffic, placing the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists at risk of a crash. The vehicle is currently at the Volkswagen dealership for inspection, and I am awaiting their diagnosis. Because this dangerous condition has now occurred multiple times, I am concerned there is a serious defect affecting the vehicle's drive system or electrical system.
NHTSA complaint #11750851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.