Volkswagen has announced a significant recall affecting over 120,000 of its ID.4 electric SUVs across Canada and the United States due to a potentially dangerous issue with the door latches. This is the second time this issue has popped up for VW, leading to the automaker also issuing a stop-sale order and halting production of the ID.4.
The recall applies to ID.4 models produced between 2021 and 2024, totaling 20,790 vehicles in Canada and an additional 99,604 in the US.
According to the recall documents posted to the Transport Canada and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, the issue stems from water seeping into the electric door handle mechanisms. If this happens, the water can reach the printed circuit board inside the door handles, causing malfunctions. This leads to a risk of doors unlatching unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.
While no injuries or accidents have been reported, Volkswagen has received 135 warranty claims relating to this issue between June 2023 and May 2024.
Affected vehicles may give a subtle warning before the doors open unintentionally. Drivers may hear a clicking sound similar to the one produced when a door lock is engaged or disengaged, a sign that the door handle’s electronics are malfunctioning.
Along with the recall, Volkswagen has also stopped selling affected ID.4 models and also suspended their production. The company’s Chattanooga plant, where many of the recalled vehicles were manufactured, has paused ID.4 production until a fix can be implemented, according to statement made by a VW spokesperson to Green Car Reports.
While new parts and updated software to address the problem are in development, the company has not provided a specific timeline for when the fix will be available to dealerships and customers.
While a fix is being developed, Volkswagen advises owners to bring their ID.4 vehicles to authorized dealerships if they experience any door latch issues. Dealers will inspect the door handles and provide temporary fixes if necessary. Additionally, a software update will adjust the door handle parameters to mitigate the risk of unexpected unlatching until a permanent solution is ready.
If all of this sounds familiar, that is because VW issued a stop-sale order for the same issue back in 2023. According to the automaker, they have continued to receive reports of faulty door handles even after their initial fix was implemented.
You can read the NHTSA recall notice below, or read the Transport Canada recall here.
