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Volkswagen is set to suspend US production of its electric ID.4 crossover, with almost 100,000 EVs recalled.
The German auto brand is striving to find a fix for a faulty electronic door-opening mechanism that lets doors swing open while the EV is in motion.
Volkswagen has issued a stop-sale notice for unsold EVs, so interested buyers will need to act fast or endure a wait until the start of next year to purchase an ID.4.
VW’s head of US sales, Andrew Savvas, told Automotive News that a fix might not be implemented until early 2025. The company is determined to rectify the critical problem, with dealers tasked to inspect every handle and replace them as necessary.
It’s believed the handles problem stems from insufficient water protection. The fault allows moisture to leak through to the circuit board, triggering the “door open” command. This is a serious malfunction regardless of the speed a vehicle is travelling at, given the potential consequences.
“After extensive review, in response to the stop-sale of the ID.4, we will temporarily suspend production of the vehicle at the Volkswagen Chattanooga plant until a remedy is available,” said company spokesperson Michael W. Lowder in a statement.
Volkswagen Workers To Be Furloughed
A similar problem was encountered by Volkswagen last year with ID.4 EVs produced in Germany for the US market. On that recall, the locks were made by a company in Czechia while the Tennessee built autos used door lock mechanisms made in Mexico.
Around 200 of the production workforce at the Tennessee site plant will be furloughed beginning September 23rd, with state unemployment support supplemented by the company up to 80% of their base salary.
ID.4 owners will be contacted by November 1st, and once a fix is available, an inspection can be scheduled to determine if either door handle is faulty and needing repaired or replaced.
