Volkswagen ID.4 Recall Says EV Doors Can Fly Open at Speed
Doors opening on their own? It isn’t a ghost – it’s a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 driving at low speeds. Volkswagen has issued a new recall and stop-sale order for ID.4 electric SUVs whose doors may fly open while turning at low speeds.
What’s the problem with the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4?
According to a report from Automotive News, passenger doors on certain new 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 models may open on their own at low speeds. Only ten examples of the phenomenon have been identified so far – but Volkswagen has linked the issue to a single manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, TN. Automotive News says over 18,000 ID.4 EVs are at risk and affected by the recall.
The Drive points to a door handle component as the cause of the open-door conundrum. ID.4s fitted with door handles from one specific supplier are the only models at risk. According to The Drive, water can seep into the electrical handle mechanism and cause malfunctions leading. Consequently, affected doors can open on their own while the vehicle is moving.
But while Volkswagen now understands the problem, the manufacturer has yet to offer a solution.
Dealers have stopped selling the ID.4 until VW finds a fix for the recall
Volkswagen has issued a recall for the 18,000 ID.4s affected by the self-opening door. However, the brand still hasn’t found a fix for the problem. Dealers have received stop-sale notices for ID.4s built at the Chattanooga, TN facility.
The Drive notes that the recall will cover more than 16,000 ID.4 models and that Volkswagen expects about 15 percent of them to have the door handle flaw.
What are the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 recalls?
Multiple recalls are already out for the 2023 VW ID.4 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Fire risk while ID.4 is parked
- 12-volt battery cable may short circuit
- Electric motor sealing ring incorrectly assembled
- Faulty rear view camera display
Owners can search by VIN on the NHTSA website to see all recalls that affect their specific ID.4s.
Is the Volkswagen ID.4 a good electric SUV?
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a good electric SUV design – but it has its flaws.
Smart, handsome styling and a spacious interior play in favor of the ID.4. Plus, it offers about 250 miles of driving range between full charges. But critics have also pointed out some drawbacks in the ID.4.
Most prominently, the Volkswagen electric SUV has drawn criticism for its cabin interface controls. Volkswagen ditched traditional analog buttons in favor of fully digital controls in its EV. That means operators must dig through touch-screen menus to find controls for simple functions. Add on the myriad recalls associated with the nameplate, and it’s easy to see why the ID.4 could be a frustrating vehicle to own.
