Volkswagen has initiated a recall affecting approximately 72,700 electric vehicles due to defective batteries, according to data released on Tuesday by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in Germany. This recall affects about 10,000 vehicles in Germany, primarily from the ID range.
Last week, it was revealed that the recall was prompted by internal quality control checks which identified that some battery cells in certain ID vehicles did not meet quality standards. Volkswagen attributed the issue to a manufacturing defect from suppliers that impacts batteries produced during a specific period.
In rare cases, this issue may lead to increased thermal demand on the batteries, which in extreme situations could result in a fire, the company stated.
The models involved include the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, and ID.Buzz, manufactured between 2022 and 2025, as well as the Cupra Born models produced by the Spanish subsidiary Cupra from 2022 to 2024.
Customers affected by the recall will receive a written notification from the automaker. As an immediate measure, Volkswagen is limiting the charging capacity of the affected vehicles to a maximum of 80% until they are inspected at an authorized service center. According to the company, it may not be necessary to replace the battery modules, as a software update might suffice.
This isn’t the first recall initiated by Volkswagen this year due to battery issues. In March, Volkswagen and Cupra recalled over 90,000 vehicles worldwide for similar reasons, including 28,000 in Germany. Additionally, at the end of September, the German automaker recalled over five million vehicles globally due to corrosion in a steering system bolt.
