Volkswagen has issued a massive recall affecting every ID.4 electric vehicle (EV) built in the United States. The issue? Water infiltration into the electric door handles could lead to spontaneous unlatching of the doors, posing a serious safety risk while driving. Though no injuries or accidents have been reported, Volkswagen is taking the problem seriously, with 135 warranty claims already filed.
The Problem: Electric Door Handles Malfunctioning
The ID.4’s door handles may look traditional, but they are electronically operated. When you pull the handle, an electric mechanism pops the door open. The recall stems from the possibility of water reaching the circuit board that controls this mechanism, leading to potential glitches that could cause the doors to unlatch unexpectedly. Drivers may notice an audible click, similar to the sound of doors locking or unlocking, as a sign of the malfunction.
VW’s Fix: Parts and Software Update in Development
Volkswagen is actively working on a solution, which involves replacing defective door handle components and updating the software that controls the door handle’s functionality. However, the necessary parts and software updates are still under development, so no definitive timeline for the fix has been provided yet.
What to Do If You Own an Affected ID.4
In the meantime, VW is urging ID.4 owners to contact an authorized dealer if they notice any issues with the door handles. Dealer inspections will help determine if immediate action is needed, and owners can expect to be officially notified of the recall starting on November 1.
This recall impacts 98,806 ID.4s built in the US, along with an additional 20,602 units in Canada. It’s not the first time Volkswagen has faced this issue—last year, the automaker recalled 35,325 ID.4s built in Zwickau, Germany, for the same door handle problem.
While the fix is being finalized, owners are advised to stay alert and contact their dealers for inspections to ensure their vehicle’s safety.
