VW is preparing a battery recall for several ID models in Europe.
Volkswagen is reportedly preparing to recall several electric vehicle models in Germany and other European markets due to potential issues with high-voltage battery cells. Affected vehicles should be charged only to 80 percent as a precaution.
Photo: Sebastian Schaal
Vehicles from certain production periods between 2023 and 2025 may be affected. These include the VW ID.3, ID.4, and ID.7, as well as the ID. Buzz and several thousand Cupra Born models. According to reports from Handelsblatt, Skoda models are not affected. Upon request, Volkswagen confirmed that actions are planned, but has not yet provided specific details on the number of units or exact models affected in Germany.
The issue stems from possible manufacturing defects in individual high-voltage battery cells. Internal quality checks revealed that cells in certain ID-series vehicles do not meet quality standards due to production errors by suppliers, a VW spokesperson told media representatives. In rare cases, the affected cells could overheat, and in extreme situations, there could even be a fire risk.
As an immediate safety measure, Volkswagen plans to limit the maximum charge level of affected vehicles to 80 percent via an over-the-air update. Owners will be informed about further steps in the coming days. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority had not yet published any corresponding recall notice as of Thursday.
Recall already underway in the UK
In the UK, Volkswagen has identified the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID. Buzz, and ID. Buzz Cargo models. The recall applies to high-voltage batteries from a specific supplier manufactured between 2022 and 2025. There, the charge level will also be limited to 80 percent initially.
The specifics of how the permanent repair will be carried out remain unclear. Shops are supposed to check the high-voltage battery or individual cell modules in vehicles that show signs of issues. Volkswagen is likely to narrow down which vehicles are actually affected based on the production period, battery supplier, and cell charge level.
Therefore, the previously mentioned estimate should also be viewed with caution. Between 2023 and 2025, nearly 660,000 vehicles of the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, and ID. Buzz models were newly registered in Europe, with over 210,000 of those in Germany. However, only a significantly smaller portion is likely to be actually affected.
This 80-percent threshold should not be confused with Volkswagen’s regular Battery Care Mode. While that feature limits charging levels in daily use to protect the battery, the current measure is explicitly a safety precaution.
In the U.S., another battery recall is underway for 22,524 ID.4 models from model years 2023 to 2026. There, Volkswagen also recommends charging the vehicles to no more than 80 percent until a final solution is found. The manufacturer identifies SK Battery America as the supplier of the affected battery cells. However, the exact cause has not yet been determined; according to Volkswagen, certain charging profiles above 80 percent can facilitate a thermal runaway within the battery.
This is distinct from two previous U.S. recalls in early 2026 involving a total of 44,551 ID.4 vehicles. These affected only cars manufactured at the Chattanooga plant that used battery cells from SK Battery America in Georgia. The issues were caused, among other things, by improperly oriented electrodes in certain cells. European ID.4 models from Zwickau and Emden used different battery cells and were explicitly not affected by these actions.