German legacy automaker Volkswagen has just issued a safety recall to more than 88,000 ID.4 electric SUVs in the United States and Canada due to a software issue affecting the instrument panel and infotainment system.
ID.4 from 2021-2023 model years affected
Per the Advance Notice to Dealers, Volkswagen is recalling 79,953 ID.4 units from 2021 to 2023 model years in the United States.
This recent safety recall affected 8,051 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4 in Canada.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed that the software bug can lead to the loss of speedometer data or rearview camera image. It violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111 for rear visibility and number 101 for controls and displays.
“Certain software characteristics in affected software versions may lead to vehicles experiencing center displays and dashboard displays that do not boot, or that sporadically reset. This can result in loss of speedometer information or loss of rearview camera image.”
NHTSA
Loss of critical displays increases crash risk, NHTSA says
According to the NHTSA, the loss of the speedometer data increases the risk of crashes. Likewise, the loss of the rearview camera image raises the risk of a crash or injury when the electric vehicle is backing up.
The German automaker said it had not received any reports of crashes or injuries related to the issue. However, from April 2023 through February 2024, 354 warranty claims were tied to the glitch.
Dealers can’t sell until fix is available, software update expected
Volkswagen has yet to come up with an effective remedy to fix the software issue on its ID.4 electric SUVs in the US and Canada.
In the meantime, the German automaker forbids dealers from selling or reselling the affected electric vehicles.
The NHTSA expects drivers to be notified once a remedy is available. Volkswagen reportedly plans to roll out a software update to resolve the issue.
Affected owners may reach out to Volkswagen’s customer service, their preferred retailer, or the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline for more details about the safety recall 919A/24V-344.
