YearToAvoid

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 182 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, 55% of all 333 complaints for the year, with 5 crashes and 5 injuries reported. Three related recalls cover the HV battery management module, battery cell module soldering, and headlight aim, at a median failure mileage of 23,000 miles.

Electrical System complaints
182
55% of 333
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
23,000 mi
Related recalls
3

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Vehicles suddenly shut down while driving or maneuvering, losing power and becoming immobile, sometimes displaying '12V battery' or 'electrical system not working' warnings.
  • Cars get stuck in park or refuse to shift between drive, reverse, and neutral, leaving the vehicle unable to move in traffic.
  • The infotainment panel and backup camera intermittently go dark, disabling proximity sensors and other safety features tied to the display.
  • Rear window defrost grid wiring was flagged by dealers as a potential electrical fire risk.
  • Headlight components malfunction, including a day running lamp failing and high beams that won't turn off.
  • Backup camera image is described as too dark at night to see objects behind the vehicle unless the brake is applied.

When 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electrical complaints were filed

First complaint May 20, 2021, latest Sep 10, 2026.

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter272021 Q22022 Q12022 Q42023 Q32024 Q22025 Q12025 Q42026 Q3
182 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q2 (27).

Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

  1. NHTSA 23V040000Feb 1, 2023Electrical System20,904 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm):software

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 ID.4 vehicles. Software programing may cause the high voltage (HV) battery management control module to restart or the pulse inverter to deactivate.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 22V162000Mar 16, 2022Electrical System356 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 ID4 vehicles. Incorrect soldering of the flexible printed circuit assembled (FPCA), inside the high voltage (HV) battery, may cause an unreliable connection.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 21V413000Jun 2, 2021Electrical System3,240 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:headlights

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 ID.4 vehicles. Caps were installed on the headlight vertical aim instead of the horizontal aim, allowing for horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    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.

Electrical System complaints by ID.4 model year

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

  1. 2021182 (55%)
  2. 202261 (45%)
  3. 2023232 (51%)
  4. 202427 (56%)
  5. 202513 (50%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2021 VW ID.4 have?
NHTSA lists 182 Electrical System complaints for the 2021 ID.4, which is 55% of the 333 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical issues on the 2021 ID.4?
Yes. Two recalls address electrical problems: campaign 23V040000 for HV battery management and pulse inverter software, and campaign 22V162000 for incorrect soldering in the HV battery's flexible printed circuit.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on the 2021 ID.4 is 23,000 miles.
Did the electrical problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 5 crashes and 5 injuries reported for the 2021 ID.4, though not all crashes/injuries are confirmed to stem directly from the electrical failures.
Does the 2021 ID.4 have a headlight recall too?
Yes, recall 21V413000 covers headlight aim caps installed in the wrong position, allowing incorrect horizontal adjustment.

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.