Volkswagen electric car models ID.3, Seat Cupra Born, Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron, Volkswagen ID.5 GTX and Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron are parked outside of Volkswagen (VW) vehicle factory in Zwickau, Germany 26 April 2022. In 2021 Volkswagen doubled its electric cars sales compared with 2020 as company is continuing to the transition to e-mobility. EPA/FILIP SINGER
German automotive giant Volkswagen Group has been forced to recall nearly 100,000 battery electric vehicles (EVs) due to issues in high-voltage battery which could lead to reduced range and a fire risk.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), Germany’s federal motor transport authority, has published two recall notices affecting VW EVs which both referred to “non-compliant modules in the high-voltage battery” which can reportedly “lead to a reduction in range and the illumination of a yellow warning light” and the potential “risk of fire”.
The two recall notices affect different cars and model years, including 19,452 Cupra Born models produced between 7 February 2022 and 21 April 2024, and a total of 74,579 VW ID. models produced between 24 June 2023 and 23 August 2024 covering the ID.3, ID.4, ID. 5, ID.Buzz, and ID. Buzz Cargo range.
The recall will include a software update, a test of the high-voltage battery modules, and, if necessary, replacing individual battery modules.
In both cases, Volkswagen has not provided any information about possible vehicle limitations nor are there any known incidents with property and/or personal damage.
More information about the recalls from Germany’s KBA can be found here for the Cupra Born and here for the VW ID. models.
Australia’s Vehicle Recalls site has not yet added a recent recall notice to match the KBA. It is not clear if any ID models are affected, given they started deliveries later, but the Cupra Born deliveries could be affected. VW Australia did not respond to our questions.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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It's interesting also how quiet Hyundai are about their recent recall, which also has halted any sales of the Palisade in 'Straya till it's sorted, which is due to a child being crushed to death in a seat.
They have been getting a new free pass for years.
The incumbents still getting it wrong, I see.
I can't see any reason to buy a European car; they are over-priced for what you get. My 2023 BYD Dolphin is well-engineered, economical to own and operate, packed with safety features and was affordable to buy. Go Chinese if you want a decent EV.
Abandon risk for efficiency...... and don't give knockers ammunition.