Volkswagen is recalling certain ID.4 electric vehicles due to a potential fire hazard linked to irregularities in the high-voltage battery cells.
The automaker is advising owners to park their EVs outside after charging and avoid leaving them in garages overnight, as a fire could result in significant property damage.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected ID.4 units may contain individual battery cells with misaligned electrodes, caused by a manufacturing quality deviation.
Misaligned electrodes can compromise the internal structure of the high-voltage battery, increasing the risk of thermal events or fires.
The recall covers 311 units of the 2023–2024 ID.4 produced between September 16, 2022, and September 22, 2024. While the affected number is relatively small, the safety implications are considerable.
Volkswagen reported several thermal events in different U.S. states beginning in early 2024, including fires in parked vehicles and incidents occurring while driving. After coordinating with its supplier, SK Battery America, Inc., the automaker determined that a formal recall was necessary, finalizing the decision on November 26, 2025.
Affected owners may also notice reduced range or performance. The 2023 ID.4 has an EPA-estimated range of up to 275 miles, while the updated 2024 model extends that to 291 miles with its 82-kilowatt-hour battery.
Volkswagen additionally advised drivers to avoid Level 3 DC fast charging, which typically allows a charge from 10% to 80% in roughly 30 minutes.
Limiting the state-of-charge to 80% can reduce stress on the battery and lower the risk of a thermal event, a critical precaution given how difficult EV battery fires are to extinguish once thermal runaway begins.
Notifications to affected owners will begin on January 30, 2026. Dealers will replace the potentially defective high-voltage battery modules free of charge. No reimbursement plan will be offered, as all recalled vehicles remain covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
This battery-module issue is not the only safety concern facing the ID.4. Volkswagen is also recalling one 2026 ID.4 along with 26 units of the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models due to incorrectly installed wheel bolts that could cause wheels to detach. Owners affected by this separate recall will likewise be notified starting January 30, 2026.
