NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 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.
Despite a strong crash-test showing, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 carries a park-outside or stop-driving recall, so read the recall section first. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. It has 13 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 18302
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY26V028000
Risk: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging indoors overnight until the recall repair is complete. Also, owners are advised not to use Level 3 DC chargers and to limit the maximum charge of the battery to 80% until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery cell modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner not
Reported 2026-01-21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY26V030000
Risk: A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the high-voltage battery software, and replace the high-voltage battery, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 18, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93EA. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 23, 202
Reported 2026-01-21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY25V836000
Risk: A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging indoors overnight until the recall repair is complete. Also, owners are advised not to use Level 3 DC chargers and to limit the maximum charge of the battery to 80% until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery cell modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner not
Reported 2025-12-03
SERVICE BRAKES25V434000
Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42HX.
Reported 2025-06-30
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V875000
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the peripheral camera control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 26, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91B3.
Reported 2024-11-20
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
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE24V643000
Risk: An improperly secured air bag inflator may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagens number for this recall is 69E8.
Reported 2024-08-28
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
STRUCTURE23V750000
Risk: In a fire, fabric that is not fire retardant may further fuel a fire, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will apply flame retardant to the sunshade fabric, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60G3.
Reported 2023-12-07
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES22V956000
Risk: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. A short circuit also increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect the 12-Volt battery charging cable and repair or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97HA.
Reported 2022-12-29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION MOTOR22V830000
Risk: Coolant that leaks into the high-voltage system may impact safety-critical systems and warning lights, causing a loss of vehicle control or unintended air bag deployment, and increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the electric motor, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 6, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19Q9.
Reported 2022-11-09
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints
439 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.