Fire risk in electric cars: VW is preparing a recall due to faulty battery cells

According to the information, internal quality tests have shown that individual high-voltage battery cells in certain vehicles in the ID. family do not meet the quality requirements. The reason for this are production errors at suppliers. A limited production period is affected. “In rare cases, this can lead to increased thermal stress on these batteries; in extreme cases, a fire could occur,” it said.

There are already recalls in other countries

According to the “Handelsblatt”, the VW ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz from certain production periods between 2023 and 2025 as well as the Cupra Born are affected. The company initially did not name any models.

Recalls are already underway in Great Britain and the USA. According to the authorities, more than 22,000 ID.4s are affected in the USA. The spokesman said that corresponding campaigns are being prepared for Germany and other markets and should be activated at short notice. To this end, we are in close coordination with the responsible authorities. The recall was not yet listed in data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). It was initially not known how many vehicles were affected worldwide.

Load limitation as an immediate measure

As an immediate measure, VW is limiting the charging of the affected vehicles to a maximum of 80 percent in the interests of safety. As part of the recall, the manufacturer takes some of the cars to service centers where the high-voltage batteries are checked. Only when a battery is assessed as OK can the charging limit be lifted.

The affected customers will reportedly receive a letter. It contains all the important information – for example, the exact process of the recall and who to contact. Anyone who does not receive such a letter is not affected. Customers will also be informed in writing about further remedial measures – which, according to the spokesman, have not yet been finalized. However, the affected battery modules do not necessarily have to be replaced; a software update may be sufficient.

Millions recalled a few weeks ago

At the end of September, VW called a good five million cars into workshops worldwide because of a screw on the steering that was susceptible to corrosion. In individual cases, the error can affect the attachment of the steering and thus its function. In Germany, almost 1.4 million vehicles from VW and the group brands Audi, Seat and Skoda are affected by the recall.

It is also not the first recall due to battery problems this year: VW and Cupra had already ordered more than 90,000 cars to workshops worldwide in March – 28,000 of them in Germany.