Volkswagen is recalling more than 44,000 ID.4 electric vehicles in the United States due to battery-related fire risks, according to two recall notices published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday. Both recalls affect recent model-year ID.4 vehicles and involve potential issues with the high-voltage battery system.
The first recall is relatively small, covering 670 ID.4 vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model years. According to Volkswagen’s report to the NHTSA, these vehicles may have a manufacturing defect in their battery cell modules. During a specific production period, electrodes inside the battery cells may have been misaligned, which could increase the risk of a battery fire under certain conditions.
While a permanent fix is being prepared, Volkswagen is asking affected owners to take several precautions. These include limiting battery charging to 80 percent, avoiding DC fast charging, and parking the vehicle outdoors after charging. Volkswagen says its final solution will be to replace the potentially faulty battery modules free of charge.
The second recall affects more than 40,000 Volkswagen ID.4
The second recall is much larger, affecting 43,881 ID.4 vehicles from the 2023 to 2025 model years. In this case, the issue is related to missing battery monitoring software. The vehicles were not equipped with Volkswagen’s “self-discharge detection” software, which is designed to identify unusual battery behavior.
According to the recall report, in rare situations, a high-voltage battery module could experience thermal runaway, a condition that can lead to a vehicle fire. Volkswagen notes that a clear root cause has not yet been identified for all reported incidents. As part of the recall, the company will perform battery health checks, install updated software, and replace battery modules if needed.
Both recalls involve battery modules supplied by SK Battery America, a unit of South Korean battery manufacturer SK On. Between 2024 and 2025, at least five battery overheating incidents involving the ID.4 were reported in the US. Investigations linked the failures to hardware abnormalities, including electrode displacement inside the battery.
The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s best-selling electric vehicle and a key part of its shift toward electrification. In 2025, global sales of the ID.4, including the coupe-style ID.5, reached 163,400 units, a year-over-year increase of nearly 27 percent. This recall will definitely make a dent in Volkswagen’s electric vehicle profile.
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