Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that while driving on a highway at a moderate speed, traffic came to a sudden halt. The vehicle's forward avoidance collision feature was activated; however, the feature did not perform at full capacity and hesitated to fully stop. The contact repeatedly pumped the brake pedal; however, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into the vehicle ahead which resulted in a five-vehicle accident. An unknown red warning light appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. The air bags deployed upon impact. Upon air bag deployment, the contact sustained burns to the left thumb and chest; additionally, the contact experienced soreness to the cervical spine, neck, both knees and ankles. The driver of the vehicle which the contact directly hit also sustained a sore neck but neither driver sought medical attention. …
I was driving my 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S on March 12, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland, when I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Although I maintained an adequate stopping distance from the truck in front of me, my forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance systems suddenly activated, causing my vehicle to make contact with the truck. My safety-and the safety of others-was compromised. My vehicle sustained front-end damage. This was not the first time these systems engaged without cause. I took my vehicle to Heritage Volkswagen Parkville (located in Carney, Maryland) due to unresolved recalls and these irregular system behaviors. The dealership claims that Volkswagen requires me to replace the tires, align the wheels, and install a new 12V battery before completing the recall work or troubleshooting the issue. …
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the "Travel Assist" and the "Forward Collision Avoidance" system warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while drifting into the lane in the past there was a vibration in the steering wheel to alert the driver. The contact stated that the steering wheel no longer vibrated while the warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the front passenger's side occupant air bag sensor warning was displayed and stated that the sensor was off, with an occupant seated in the seat. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure with the Forward Collision Avoidance and the Travel Assist and a software update was performed. …
Pulling into a parking space, using reiterative braking (B Mode). When applying brakes, car bolted and could not be controlled. It jumped a curb and drove straight toward a building. Brakes would not respond. Steering would not respond. I managed to steer the car avoiding the building but taking down a bench and ripping up the turf in front of the building. Car made a complete u-turn before coming to a stop. At that point, all electrical systems shut down, including the outside mirrors--they retracted. There was damage to exterior of the car-- a torn side molding and scratches and minor dents from bushes and the bench that was destroyed. The infotainment completely shut down. when I finally was able to restart the car, the systems came back on slowly, one at time. The car was towed by VW Roadside Assistance to a collision center for body repairs. …
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V040000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that while his wife was driving into the residential driveway at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lost electric power and shifted into park(P). The stop had been so abrupt that the vehicle was rocking. The contact stated that all the exterior lights flashed off and on. The contact stated that his wife restarted the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact stated the failure had become recurring. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer, who could not duplicate the failure and wanted the contact to retrieve the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V040000 (Electrical System) and 23V312000 (Structure) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the low coolant and the electrical system warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact was able to park on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer: Napleton's Volkswagen of Orlando (12700 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32826:[phone]), where it was diagnosed with needing the radiator to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and started to lose motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V040000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and a secondary dealer, Napleton's Volkswagen of Sanford (4175 S Orlando Dr, Sanford, FL 32773) were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. …
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the infotainment system glitched and turn off intermittently and the safety information and systems were inoperable. The contact received notification a software update for the infotainment system. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts to do the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (Structure) was not yet available. The dealer also informed the contact that the software update would be performed over the air. No repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V040000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shifted out of drive(D), powered down, and started coasting. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes were still functioning as designed. The contact was able to steer safely through traffic and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle reset independently after 2 minutes and resumed normal operation at full electrical power. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V344000 (Back Over Prevention, Equipment, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the center display failed to turn on. The contact stated while reversing at 5MPH, the rearview camera failed to engage, causing the rear vehicle panel to strike a tree and to become bent. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery › Management system/energy control module (BMS/becm) › Software
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 ID.4 vehicles. Software programing may cause the high voltage (HV) battery management control module to restart or the pulse inverter to deactivate.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HV battery management control unit and the pulse inverter control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 31, 2023.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 ID4 vehicles. Incorrect soldering of the flexible printed circuit assembled (FPCA), inside the high voltage (HV) battery, may cause an unreliable connection.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery cell modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Electrical complaints in other ID.4 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4?
NHTSA has 180 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, 53% of the model year's 338 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-040 (software, Feb 1, 2023); NHTSA recall 22V-162 (traction battery, Mar 16, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles, and 54% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.