Volkswagen recalls 100,000 electric cars over battery issues; 4,000 in NL

Germany’s transport authority KBA reported Tuesday that Volkswagen is issuing a recall for close to 100,000 electric cars over possible battery module defects. Around 4,000 of those vehicles in the Netherlands are expected to be brought in for checks.

The high-voltage battery can, in rare instances, become too hot. In the most difficult situations, this overheating may result in a car catching fire, according to a spokesperson for the Dutch importer Pon. Motorists might experience a drop in range or observe a yellow warning indicator appearing on the dashboard.

About 75,000 cars from Volkswagen’s ID lineup, along with nearly 20,000 Cupra Born vehicles, are included in the recall. The affected Volkswagen models are ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and the ID. Buzz van, which was built between June 24, 2023, and August 23, 2024, while the Cupra Born models date from February 7, 2022, to April 21, 2024. Roughly 28,000 of the recalled Volkswagen electric cars are located in Germany.

“In some vehicles from a specific production period, battery modules may have been installed that do not fully meet our technical specifications. A yellow warning light may come on, and the driving range could decrease noticeably,” the Pon spokesperson said. According to him, no cases of injuries have been reported.

The spokesperson said all impacted cars are being checked as a preventive measure to eliminate possible risks, adding that customers have already been notified. The process includes a software update and a detailed review of each high-voltage battery module, with any problematic components being replaced.

The update carried out by dealers allows vehicles to independently identify abnormalities in their battery modules through self-discharge detection. When required, any faulty high-voltage battery modules are replaced at no cost.

Even though there have been no reported injury cases, specialists and authorities advise taking these precautions until the vehicles have been checked: charge the battery no more than 80 percent to reduce the risk of overheating, and avoid using Level 3 DC fast chargers whenever possible.

Whenever possible, park the car outside and away from other vehicles or any flammable structures, particularly right after charging.