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 the 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.
