Latest VW EV recalls sees almost 100,000 cars affected globally
The Volkswagen Group is recalling nearly 100,000 electric models worldwide due to a potential issue with the battery modules.
Totalling 94,031 VW Group EVs worldwide, the recall includes 74,579 ID-branded EV-only models and 19,452 versions of the outgoing Cupra Born hot hatchback.
What VW EV models are affected by the recall?
To break things down, ID 3 hatchback, ID 4 SUV, its coupe sibling, the ID 5, and ID Buzz Cargo models built between June 24, 2023, and August 23, 2024, were subject to the VW EV recall. The affected Cupra Born models were manufactured between February 27, 2022 and April 21, 2014.
According to a report by the KBA, the German motor and road traffic authority, 22,182 affected Volkswagen and 5,976 Cupra models are in Germany alone. The report says the recall is due to faulty battery modules that can limit driving range or pose a potential fire risk.
The Volkswagen Group will inspect the potentially dangerous parts and install a software update to fix the problem. If needed, it will replace the individual high-voltage modules. Further information about the issue can be found on the KBA website using 16271R as a reference code.
Is this the first time VW has recalled its EVs?
This latest recall isn’t the first time that VW has brought back a batch of its ID EVs. In January this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States recalled 43,881 ID 4s built between 2023 and 2025. The previous recall was due to potentially overheating batteries and the subsequent fire risk they carry. As in Europe, Volkswagen USA plans to issue a software update as a remedy and will replace the individual modules if needed.
EV Powered reached out to Volkswagen Group United Kingdom regarding whether any UK cars have been affected. A VW Group spokesperson provided the following response: “As part of our continuous quality monitoring, we have identified that in vehicles from the ID. series produced during a limited period, one of the modules in the high-voltage battery – where individual battery cells are combined into functional units – may not fully meet our technical specifications in all cases.
“As a result, there may be a reduction in electric driving range or the illumination of a yellow warning indicator in the vehicle. The extent of any potential reduction in range cannot be stated in general terms, but in individual cases it may be noticeable. In very rare cases, there is also a possibility of thermal overload within a battery module, which in extreme situations could lead to a fire.
“To eliminate any potential risks, we are taking precautionary measures to inspect all affected vehicles. This involves first performing a software update at a Volkswagen service centre, enabling a detailed analysis of the condition of each battery module. If any irregular module is identified, it will be replaced as a precaution. This will be carried out at no cost to customers. We are currently working to contact all affected customers in the UK to arrange the next steps. No personal injuries have been reported in connection with this issue.”
What next?
The most recent VW EV recall is an unfortunate, yet fitting, final chapter for Volkswagen’s first generation of ID electric vehicles. Upon launch in September 2023, the ID range was set to propel Wolfsburg into an electric-only future.
However, initial versions of ID 3, ID 4, and ID 5 were plagued by software and functionality issues, causing long-term harm to the brand’s usual dependable image. Volkswagen has since reversed its fortunes with the launch of the ID 7, and will embark on a second generation of ID EVs, starting with the ID Polo in spring this year.
Further new ID models will include the ID Cross, the ID 1 city car, a heavily revised ID 3, and an EV-only Golf scheduled to arrive in 2028. Each vehicle promises an interior with physical switchgear and a generally improved quality over previous ID cars.
