Fire Alert
Volkswagen is recalling certain ID.4 units due to a fire risk linked to irregularities in the high-voltage battery cells. The issue is serious enough that the automaker is advising owners to park their EVs outside after charging and not to leave them inside the garage overnight, as a potential fire could cause severe property damage.
According to the recall report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the affected units may contain individual battery cells with misaligned electrodes caused by a quality deviation during manufacturing. A misaligned electrode can compromise the internal structure of the HV battery cell, increasing the likelihood of a fire.
The recall involves 311 units of the 2023–2024 ID.4 produced between September 16, 2022, and September 22, 2024. While only a small portion of the population is affected, the issue poses a considerable risk.
Small Batch With Big Consequences
Volkswagen reported several thermal events in various states beginning in early 2024, with some vehicles catching fire while parked and others experiencing the issue on the road. After coordinating with its supplier, SK Battery America, Inc., the automaker determined that the defect required a formal recall, which was finalized on November 26, 2025.
Because of this issue, affected owners may experience a loss of range and/or performance. The 2023 ID.4 carries an EPA-estimated range of up to 275 miles, while the updated 2024 model increased that figure to up to 291 miles using an 82-kilowatt-hour battery.
Volkswagen also cautioned owners to avoid using Level 3 DC fast charging, which typically allows the ID.4 to recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, and set the SOC limit to 80%. Reducing charging stress helps lower the risk of a thermal event, an important precaution given how difficult EV battery fires are to extinguish once thermal runaway begins.
Charge Smart, Stay Safe
The company will begin notifying affected owners on January 30, 2026. Dealers will replace the potentially defective high-voltage battery cell modules free of charge. A reimbursement plan will not be offered because all vehicles covered by this recall remain within their New Vehicle Limited Warranty Period.
This battery-module defect is not the only issue against 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 may cause the wheels to detach. Owners for this separate safety campaign will also be notified on January 30, 2026.
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