By SCM AUTOMOTIVE REPORTER
GERMAN car giant Volkswagen has been forced to recall more than 44,000 of its flagship electric vehicles after a series of terrifying battery fires.
Safety chiefs in the US issued the urgent alert for the popular ID.4 model, warning owners that their pride and joy could go up in flames while parked or even while charging.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that the high-voltage batteries in the affected SUVs—built between 2023 and 2025—suffer from a “thermal event” risk. This is a polite way of saying the batteries can overheat uncontrollably, leading to a “self-perpetuating” fire.
DON’T PARK INSIDE
In a move that will send a chill through owners, the manufacturer has warned drivers to:
PARK OUTSIDE immediately after charging.
DO NOT leave the car charging indoors overnight.
LIMIT charging to 80% to reduce the risk of a blow-up.
AVOID “Level 3” rapid chargers entirely.
Volkswagen says it will carry out free software updates to help spot the “misaligned electrodes” causing the chaos. If the software flags a dud battery, the whole pack will be replaced free of charge.
The shock recall comes as traditional European carmakers struggle to keep pace with a “Great Wall” of affordable electric rivals from the Far East.
With VW battling “fiery” PR disasters and high prices, British drivers are increasingly turning to Chinese brands like BYD, MG, and Nio.
Recent figures show Chinese EVs now account for roughly 12.8% of the UK market—doubling their share in just a year.
Unlike the German heavyweights, the new kids on the block are flooding the UK with high-tech, low-cost models that aren’t currently facing the same high-profile safety scares.
Industry experts say the VW recall could be the “tipping point” for motorists who were already eyeing up a cheaper, tech-heavy alternative from Beijing.
Why the ID.4 is Feeling the Heat
The Culprit: The issue stems from manufacturing defects at a battery supplier in Tennessee.
Misaligned electrodes can cause a short circuit, leading to “thermal propagation”—the technical term for a battery fire that is almost impossible to extinguish with water.
The Scale: While the current recall focuses on 44,551 vehicles in the US, the ID.4 has been plagued by issues since its 2021 launch, racking up 18 separate safety recalls.
The Rivalry: Companies like BYD (Build Your Dreams) recently overtook Tesla in UK sales.
Because the UK has not followed the EU in slapping massive tariffs on Chinese imports, brands like Chery and GAC are expected to launch even more budget-friendly models in 2026.
