Volkswagen Group has recalled more than 104,000 electric vehicles across three brands this month over a risk that their high-voltage batteries could overheat and catch fire, and has told owners to limit charging to 80% while it works on a fix.
The recalls cover about 72,700 Volkswagen ID. models and Cupra Born hatchbacks worldwide, 22,524 Volkswagen ID.4 SUVs in the US and 9,048 Audi Q4 e-tron SUVs, also in the US, according to filings with German and US regulators.
In none of the cases has the group identified the root cause or released a permanent repair.
“In extreme cases, a fire in these electric vehicles cannot be ruled out,” Volkswagen said, according to Euronews.
Europe: 72,668 ID. models and Born
Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) lists three recalls covering 72,668 vehicles worldwide, about 9,900 of them in Germany, according to KBA data.
The largest covers 62,927 ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz models built between July 13, 2022, and June 6, 2025, including 7,112 in Germany.
A second covers 5,050 of the same models built between September 18, 2023, and June 27, 2025, including 1,538 in Germany. The third covers 4,691 Cupra Born vehicles built between September 2022 and May 2024, including 1,231 in Germany.
Certain high-voltage battery cells do not meet quality requirements because of production faults at suppliers, and the batteries can come under increased thermal stress in rare cases, Volkswagen said. It has not named the cell supplier for these vehicles.
Owners are being sent warning labels for the charging port and cabin and told not to charge above 80%. Where possible, the vehicle limits the charge itself. A later software update will detect abnormalities in individual battery modules, and modules or entire batteries will be replaced where needed.
The KBA has called the action precautionary and said it knows of no property damage or injuries. Volkswagen’s UK communication acknowledges isolated cases of property damage.
Belgian importer D’Ieteren said 1,608 vehicles were affected in Belgium, while the Netherlands’ vehicle authority lists 1,808. Škoda is reportedly not affected.
US: 22,524 ID.4s
In the US, Volkswagen recalled 22,524 ID.4s from the 2023 to 2026 model years built between January 1, 2023, and February 1, 2025, according to its filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The cells were supplied by SK Battery America of Commerce, Georgia, a unit of South Korea’s SK On. Volkswagen said the root cause is unknown, but that certain charging profiles combined with a state of charge above 80% “may trigger thermal propagation within the high-voltage battery.”
Volkswagen identified 22 claims in the US between January 18, 2024, and August 7, 2026, and estimates that 0.1% of the recalled vehicles have the defect. It reported no crashes, injuries or deaths.
A field study began on June 17 after preliminary data suggested a link to battery isolation-resistance values and the share of DC fast charging. Volkswagen’s Product Safety Committee decided on a voluntary recall on September 23.
Vehicles were selected using production records, battery traceability and charging data. Those whose cells fell outside the suspect production range, or whose recent charging data showed use below a defined threshold, were excluded.
Some vehicles can be capped at 80% remotely. Owners will receive interim letters around November 27.
Fourth US ID.4 battery recall
The October action is the fourth US battery-related recall of the ID.4 since December.
Volkswagen recalled 629 ID.4s in December and 670 in January because cell modules “may contain misaligned electrodes that can result in a battery fire,” according to NHTSA. Owners were told to park outside after charging, avoid DC fast chargers and charge to 80% until the modules were replaced.
A third recall, also filed in January, covered 43,881 2023-2025 ID.4s whose batteries may overheat. Dealers are updating the battery software and replacing batteries where necessary.
Volkswagen ended ID.4 production at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant in the spring and is offering $12,500 off remaining 2025 models. The SUV is being renamed the ID. Tiguan for its next version.
Audi Q4 e-tron follows
Audi’s recall, filed on October 21, covers 7,040 Q4 e-tron and 2,008 Q4 Sportback e-tron SUVs from the 2024 and 2025 model years, built between November 30, 2023, and April 24, 2025.
Their cells came from SK Battery Manufacturing of Komárom, Hungary, another SK On unit.
Audi’s Product Safety Committee learned on September 21 of “battery thermal events in other Volkswagen Group vehicles that use the same battery type,” according to the filing. On October 14, it confirmed that the same battery and production characteristics were present in a defined group of Q4 e-trons, mostly built for North America.
Audi reported no claims, fires or injuries involving its own vehicles. Owners whose battery data shows no need for further checks face no restrictions. Others should charge to 80% and have the battery inspected at a dealer.
Interim letters will go out by December 18. The final fix will come in phases.
The recalls follow a larger action in March, when Volkswagen recalled about 94,000 ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID. Buzz and Cupra Born vehicles built between February 2022 and August 2024 because individual battery modules may not meet specification, which the KBA said could cause a fire.
