NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Volkswagen ID.4
Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a fully electric compact SUV that has been VW's primary entry into the mainstream American EV market since its 2021 debut. Positioned against rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, it targets tech-forward family buyers who want a familiar, practical crossover form factor paired with zero-emission driving. MotorCaliber covers the 2021 through 2025 model years for safety.
The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 79 out of 100, an average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. It has 11 recalls on record, reflected in the score.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
Reviewers generally appreciate the ID.4 for its composed, comfortable ride and well-resolved interior for an early-generation electric SUV. Most praise its straightforward controls and spacious cabin while acknowledging that early software and build-quality growing pains tempered enthusiasm. The consensus tends to position it as a solid but imperfect pioneer in VW's EV lineup rather than a class benchmark.
NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15583
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)25V120000
Risk: Failure to display the gear position may result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the brake control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 14, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97H3. Audi's number for this recall is 454R.
Reported 2025-02-27
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR24V651000
Risk: A vehicle door that opens unexpectedly while driving increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen dealers will inspect and replace the door handles as necessary, and update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 27, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 57J9. This recall expands previous recall numbers 23V-312 and 23V-213. Vehicles previously repaired under 23
Reported 2024-09-04
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE24V344000
Risk: Displays that do not show critical information, such as vehicle speed or the rearview camera image, increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 20, 2024. Owners may contact VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298. VW's number for this recall is 919A.
Reported 2024-05-15
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR23V312000
Risk: A vehicle door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, and inspect the door handles as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 19, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall are 57J5 and 57J8. This recall was replaced by recall number 24V-651
Reported 2023-05-03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE23V040000
Risk: A reset or deactivation may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HV battery management control unit and the pulse inverter control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97ZZ.
Reported 2023-02-01
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL22V858000
Risk: An incorrectly folded air bag may not protect the occupant as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 14, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number to this recall is 69EH.
Reported 2022-11-02
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY22V162000
Risk: An unreliable battery connection may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the battery cell modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 9302.
Reported 2022-03-16
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)21V852000
Risk: An incorrectly assembled or missing drive bushing may cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: A dealer will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 48Q7.
Reported 2021-11-03
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR21V606000
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Reported 2021-08-05
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR21V607000
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the rear outboard seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69CQ.
Reported 2021-08-04
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS21V413000
Risk: Adjusting the horizontal headlight beam can increase glare, reducing visibility for the driver and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the caps from the vertical aim and install them on the horizontal aim, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 9406.
Reported 2021-06-02
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
318 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.