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Volkswagen Group of America is recalling ~23,000 model-year 2023-2026 ID.4 vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail and lead to a fire. The cause is a mystery to VW. [ID.4 has had multiple recalls for its electrical system. SK Battery is the supplier – AutoCrat.]*
“The root cause is unknown, however in certain high-voltage batteries within the affected vehicle population, certain charging profiles combined with a state of charge over 80% may trigger thermal propagation within the high-voltage battery,” VW told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the mandatory safety defect recall filing document made public by NHTSA this morning.
Chronology
- June 17, 2026: During ongoing review of HV battery thermal events in the field, preliminary data indicated a potential influence related to specific isolation-resistance values and DC-charging ratios. As a result, the Volkswagen Product Safety Committee ordered a field study to conduct a detailed examination of complete high-voltage battery systems from Volkswagen vehicles that had not previously been included in its previous HV battery recall campaigns.
- September 21, 2026: The results available from the field study and the current field situation were presented to and discussed by the Volkswagen Group Product Safety Committee. It was observed that in certain high-voltage batteries, certain charging profiles combined with a state of charge over 80% may trigger thermal propagation within the high-voltage battery. The Committee requested additional clarifications from the battery cell supplier concerning the production measures and the potential clean date. The Committee assigned additional analyses concerning vehicle charging behavior and the assumptions, timing, and technical implementation requirements for an interim limitation of the high- voltage battery’s maximum state of charge to 80 percent. These analyses remained ongoing.
- September 23, 2026: The Volkswagen Product Safety Committee reviewed the updated field information and the additional information provided by the battery cell supplier. While the root cause of the events in the field is still unknown, based on the available technical information, the field situation, and the potential safety consequences of a high-voltage battery failure, the Volkswagen Product Safety Committee decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall for the affected U.S. vehicles
- September 23, 2026. 22 claims identified for USA from January 18, 2024, through August 07, 2026. A reimbursement plan will not be offered under this recall because the affected vehicles are within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period.
How Remedy Component Differs From Recalled Component
“The root cause and repair solution still needs to be identified. The final remedy remains under development. As an interim risk-reduction measure, all affected owners of vehicles subject to this campaign will receive a warning sticker to be placed at specific places at the vehicle to remind operators not to charge the HV battery above 80% state of charge. Depending on the vehicle configuration and online connectivity, some vehicles may be configured to limit the maximum state of charge of the high-voltage battery to 80%.
“ID.4 owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are not expected to be mailed until 27 November 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 93EX. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov,” VW said.
*AutoInformed on
- Volkswagen ID.4 U.S. Production Ends. Atlas Begins
- Fires – Volkswagen Group of America Recalls 2023-2025 ID.4s
- Volkswagen ID.4 Stop Sale Lifted After Recall
- Ford BlueOval SK Workers Vote to Join UAW
