- Some ID.4 models may be at greater risk of battery fire at higher charge levels.
- VW is still investigating the root cause of the problem.
- The automaker may remotely limit charging to 80% for models with internet connectivity.
Earlier this month, Volkswagen recalled more than 22,500 2023-2026 ID.4 electric vehicles (EVs) due to a specific issue that could cause a battery fire. The recall solution is still in development, but in the meantime, VW may remotely limit the EV’s state of charge to 80%.
The recall documentation states that the root cause of the problem is still unknown, but states that “certain charging profiles, combined with a state of charge over 80%, may trigger thermal propagation within the high-voltage battery.”
Volkswagen said it is still working to determine the cause of the problem and noted that it is working with its battery cell provider during the investigation. As of early August 2026, the automaker had received 22 claims from U.S. owners related to the problem. While the recall describes a scary and very serious problem, it does not detail any reports of deaths or injuries.
Until VW can trace the cause of the battery problem and develop a fix, it is advising owners to limit charging to 80%. This limit doesn’t address the root cause or fix the problem, but it should reduce the risk of battery fires.
The automaker will also send out stickers to help remind owners of that limit. Vehicles equipped with over-the-air software updates may receive an update that automatically limits the charging level, but VW didn’t say how many owners may receive the new software.
Limiting your state of charge is good EV hygiene, even without the scary potential for battery fires. Charging to 80% or 85% gives you plenty of driving range for your daily commute while preserving battery life and helping your EV last longer. It’s also important not to ignore this recall if you’re a VW ID.4 owner. Even though they’re not as common as many think, EV battery fires are no joke and can cause structural damage, injury, or more serious issues.
Millions of cars are recalled, sometimes more than once. While automakers do their best to notify every vehicle owner affected by a recall, they don’t always reach everyone. To check whether your vehicle might be subject to a recall, use the easy tool at our recall center. All you need is your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate, or year, make, and model of your car to get started.
