YearToAvoid

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Brakes Problems

NHTSA logged 37 brake complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, 11% of that year's 333 total complaints, tied to 11 crashes and 9 injuries. A related recall (25V120000) covers a brake control unit software update on 2021-2023 ID.4 models.

Brakes complaints
37
11% of 333
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
9
Median mileage
16,829 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal fails to slow the vehicle during normal stops, leading to rear-end or frontal collisions.
  • Vehicle unexpectedly accelerates while the driver is pressing the brake pedal, sometimes described as sudden full-throttle acceleration.
  • Vehicle rolls on its own after coming to a stop on a grade or in traffic, even with the brake applied.
  • Electronic Stability Control activates unexpectedly at low speeds on curving roads, braking individual wheels without cause.
  • Vehicle brakes abruptly on its own while reversing, then suddenly lurches forward without responding to driver braking input.

When 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 6, 2021, latest Aug 22, 2026.

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2021Mar 2022Feb 2023Oct 2023Sep 2024Aug 2025May 2026
37 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Sep 2021 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

  1. NHTSA 25V120000Feb 27, 2025Brakes60,490 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 ID.4, 2022-2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron, and Q4 e-Tron Sportback vehicles. The instrument panel may not properly display the transmission gear lever indicator. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."

    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.

Brakes complaints by ID.4 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202137 (11%)
  2. 202212 (9%)
  3. 202339 (9%)
  4. 20247 (15%)
  5. 20253 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 have?
NHTSA lists 37 brake-related complaints for the 2021 ID.4, which is 11% of the 333 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4?
Yes. Recall campaign 25V120000, reported February 27, 2025, covers 2021-2023 ID.4 vehicles and involves a dealer software update to the brake control unit.
Have the brake issues caused crashes?
NHTSA data links 11 crashes and 9 injuries to brake complaints on the 2021 ID.4.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints for the 2021 ID.4 is 16,828.5 miles.
Is the 2021 ID.4 worse for brake complaints than other years?
The 2021 ID.4's brake complaint share is 11% of its total complaints, higher than 2022 (9%) and 2023 (9%), but lower than 2024's 15% share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.