Volkswagen ID.4 years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Volkswagen ID.4 years

The 2021 and 2023 model years are the worst ID.4s to buy used, driven by the highest NHTSA complaint volumes in the lineup and, in the 2023's case, 14 NHTSA recall campaigns including multiple battery-fire advisories.

This guide draws on NHTSA complaint and recall data, CarComplaints PainRank methodology, Consumer Reports reliability scores, and owner reports from the VW ID Talk forum.

CarComplaints ranks its "worst year" by repair cost and average mileage when problems occur (its PainRank score) - that metric points to 2023 as the single worst year. NHTSA measures raw complaint volume, which also peaks in 2023 but with 2021 as a close second. These two sources agree on the worst years for the ID.4, but they measure different things and are cited separately throughout this guide.

Our years to avoid methodology weights complaint volume, recall count, and repair cost together so that no single data point inflates or masks a model year's true risk.

Every Volkswagen ID.4 model year ranked

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 is the single model year to most avoid, but 2021 is nearly as problematic - every other year lands somewhere in the middle on reliability.

Most common Volkswagen ID.4 problems

The single biggest ID.4 failure category is electrical system and software faults, responsible for nearly half of all NHTSA complaints filed against the model. Below are the five most documented recurring problems across the 2021-2025 lineup.

1. Electrical system and software failures

The dominant problem across the ID.4 lineup is not the high-voltage battery or the motor - it is the software and electrical architecture. Electrical complaints account for 446 of 905 total NHTSA complaints filed for 2021-2025, nearly half the total, and the generation carries 89 crash-associated reports and 24 recalls.

Owner complaints across 2021-2023 describe 12-volt auxiliary battery drain leaving vehicles stranded with a "Setup not complete" screen, infotainment displays going black at 70 mph with no speedometer, OTA updates that bricked the Car-Net module or disabled airbags, and DC fast charging sessions prohibited for months while owners waited for battery parts.

Volkswagen worked through the problems with multiple software recalls, including a 2021-2023 powertrain campaign (25V-120) tied to sudden power loss. A separate but related display-and-camera recall, recall 24V-344, is the broadest display-related recall for the ID.4, covering 2021-2023 models whose center and instrument displays fail to boot or randomly reset, causing loss of speedometer information and rearview camera. NHTSA complaints confirm many owners experienced this defect for years before the recall was issued in May 2024. Buyer takeaway: before purchasing any 2021-2023 ID.4, confirm both the 25V-120 and 24V-344 campaigns are closed on the specific VIN.

2. High-voltage battery fire risk and self-discharge

High-voltage battery cell modules in certain ID.4s may contain misaligned electrodes that can result in a battery fire, creating a risk of injury whether the vehicle is parked or moving. Two separate campaigns addressed this on different production ranges.

Volkswagen initially launched a recall covering 311 model-year 2023-2024 ID.4s (campaign 25V-836) after identifying a manufacturing quality deviation involving its supplier, SK Battery America, Inc. An updated recall (26V-028) expanded coverage to 670 vehicles produced between November 3, 2022, and September 22, 2024. A much larger campaign, recall 26V-030, affects 43,881 model-year 2023-2025 ID.4s produced between September 2, 2022, and April 10, 2025. The affected vehicles may experience thermal propagation due to the absence of Self-Discharge Detection (SDD) software, which can increase the risk of a fire.

In some cases, VW has paired software updates with temporary usage limits: capping max state of charge around 80%, discouraging DC fast charging, and recommending outdoor parking after charging until the remedy is complete. Buyer takeaway: on any 2023-2025 ID.4, confirm campaign 26V-030 (manufacturer number 93EA) is completed and get documentation in writing before closing the sale.

3. Electronic door handles opening unexpectedly while driving

The door handles on 2021-2024 ID.4s may allow water to enter the circuit board assembly, which can cause the doors to open unexpectedly. This is one of the model's most serious safety defects and required three escalating recall campaigns to resolve.

Recall 23V-213 first addressed 2023 models; recall 23V-312 extended coverage to 2021-2022 models; recall 24V-651 broadened the scope to all 2021-2024 models and required physical handle inspection and replacement where the hardware was deficient. Campaign 24V-651 covers a potential 99,064 units of the 2021-2024 Volkswagen ID.4. The remedy under the final campaign is a dealer inspection and handle replacement plus a software update, free of charge.

If the recall remedy - a software update - did not fully resolve the door-open events, a common complaint documented in NHTSA data, each subsequent dealer visit for recurrence counts as an additional repair attempt. Buyer takeaway: confirm the final campaign 24V-651 is completed by a dealer, not merely the earlier software-only fix.

4. 12-volt auxiliary battery and on-board charger failures

The on-board charger (OCDC) may fail and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. This distinct fault affects certain 2024 ID.4s and was addressed by recall 93CJ (NHTSA-tracked), with dealers replacing the OCDC free of charge.

The 12-volt auxiliary battery drain and dead-battery issue carries a repair cost estimate of $0-$400 when addressed under warranty or recall, but the heat pump system failure in cold weather can reach $2,500 out of pocket. Some ID.4 owners report that the 12-volt battery fails prematurely, leading to the vehicle not starting or becoming unusable until repaired.

The hidden costs of owning an electric car often center on exactly this kind of auxiliary-system failure, where the low-voltage side of the car creates stranding events even when the main traction battery is healthy. Buyer takeaway: on any 2021-2024 ID.4, have the 12-volt battery load-tested before purchase and ask the selling dealer to document OCDC recall status.

5. Infotainment screen freezes, blank displays, and rearview camera failures

Most of the ID.4's issues are related to software and infotainment systems. There are many complaints about screens freezing, blank displays, and not working properly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all model years.

Serious electrical power issues include a 12-volt charging cable in the 2023 model; Consumer Reports also had numerous complaints about battery and other electrical issues for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 models including the software not working properly, vehicles being in the shop for weeks to solve battery recharge issues, intermittent working headlights, and display screens going black.

Recall 22V-823 covers 2022-2023 ID.4 vehicles with a rearview camera that displayed a blank or unresponsive image in reverse gear. The remedy - camera hardware replacement - requires a dealer visit and parts availability. Buyer takeaway: test the backup camera and infotainment boot sequence on every used ID.4 before purchase, and confirm campaign 22V-823 is closed on 2022-2023 examples.

Which Volkswagen ID.4 years should you avoid?

The Volkswagen ID.4 years to avoid are 2021 and 2023. The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 has the most overall complaints on CarComplaints, which also rates 2023 as the worst model year ranked on several factors such as repair cost and average mileage when problems occur. On raw NHTSA complaint volume, the 2023 carries 402 owner complaints on file with 14 recalls, including 42 crash-related complaints and 5 fire-related complaints. The 2021 is nearly as problematic: there are 11 recalls and 304 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4.

Worst Volkswagen ID.4 years: 2021, 2023

1st-generation Volkswagen ID.4 (2021-2024)

Consumer Reports listed 11 recalls by the NHTSA for the ID.4's model year 2021, seven for model year 2022, 11 for model year 2023, and five for model year 2024. (Note: other sources tracking more recent retroactive campaigns show higher totals for some years; the per-year figures above are from Consumer Reports' dataset.)

The 2021 ID.4 NHTSA complaint record includes highway stall incidents tied to the pulse-inverter software reset, a faulty airbag recall (campaign 22V-858, covering 55 units with an incorrectly folded passenger air bag), and the battery-connection soldering defect that could cause an unexpected stall. Incorrect soldering of the flexible printed circuit inside the high-voltage battery may cause an unreliable connection, which may cause a stall and increase the risk of a crash.

The 2023 ID.4 was recalled 14 times by the NHTSA, making it one of the most-recalled vehicles of its model year across all brands. The most commonly reported problem areas for the 2023 are: Electrical System (176 complaints), Unknown or Other (52), and Structure (34). Between the battery-fire campaigns, the door-handle recall, the display recall, and the chassis-bolt recall (manufacturer number 42HX), the 2023 carries the heaviest recall burden in the entire ID.4 lineup.

What are the best Volkswagen ID.4 years to buy?

The best Volkswagen ID.4 years to buy are 2022 and 2025. Both land below the model's complaint average while still benefiting from the core safety and range package that makes the ID.4 worth considering.

Most reliable Volkswagen ID.4 years: 2022, 2025

2022 Volkswagen ID.4

There are 7 recalls and 126 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4, with 15 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are Electrical System (44), Unknown or Other (19), and Vehicle Speed Control (10). Compared with 304 complaints on the 2021 and 402 on the 2023, the 2022 is meaningfully cleaner.

The Volkswagen ID.4 earned a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA across model years 2021-2025. The 2022 also benefits from mid-cycle software refinements that corrected some of the worst first-year glitches. A 2022 with all recalls confirmed closed on the VIN is one of the safer 1st-gen picks on the used market. Check IIHS ratings for the 2022 ID.4 for full crash-test detail.

2025 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 has mixed reliability overall, with just 1 recall and 19 owner complaints on file. The 2025 is the best Volkswagen ID.4 year to buy, with a reliability score of 59/100. As a 2nd-generation model with updated software architecture and the lessons of four prior model years built in, it carries the lowest risk profile in the ID.4 family. The hidden costs of owning an electric car are lower on vehicles that don't require repeated recall-related dealer visits, which makes the 2025's clean record particularly valuable.

Volkswagen ID.4 pre-purchase checklist

Before finalizing any used ID.4 purchase, run through these model-specific checks:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker. Confirm every open recall is closed - pay special attention to the battery fire campaigns (26V-028, 26V-030 / manufacturer number 93EA) and the door-handle campaign (24V-651). These are safety-critical and some vehicles still have open status as of mid-2026.
• Verify the door-handle recall is fully remedied under 24V-651, not merely the older software-only fix from 23V-213 or 23V-312. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-312 and 23V-213 need to have the new physical remedy completed.
• On 2021-2023 examples, confirm the display and rearview camera recall (24V-344) is closed. Boot the infotainment system cold, and verify the backup camera activates cleanly in reverse.
• Have the 12-volt battery load-tested. Some ID.4 owners report the 12-volt battery fails prematurely, leaving the vehicle unusable until repaired. A load test at any auto parts store takes five minutes and can save a stranding event.
• On 2023-2025 cars, ask about the battery fire campaigns (26V-028 and 26V-030) and whether charging has been limited to 80% state-of-charge. If the seller still has usage restrictions in place, the remedy is not yet complete.
• Test the infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto during the test drive. Freeze-ups, slow response, and blank screens on a cold boot are a documented pattern across all model years.
• Request full dealer service records to confirm recall remedies were completed by a Volkswagen dealer and are documented with repair orders, not just a verbal assurance.
• Check range on a real-world drive. Volkswagen backs the ID.4's high-voltage pack with an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, promising at least around 70% usable capacity within that window. A used ID.4 showing significantly degraded range may still have warranty coverage.

Better alternatives to consider

If the ID.4 years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Nissan Leaf - the longest-running US-market EV nameplate, with a large used inventory and a well-established year-by-year reliability record that makes used shopping more predictable.
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 - strong reliability scores in its class, a more mature software platform, and a comfortable ride comparable to the ID.4 at similar used-market price points.
• Ford Mustang Mach-E - a direct ID.4 class rival with its own recall history to research, but a larger US dealer network and broadly available over-the-air software remedies.
• Toyota bZ4X - shares platform fundamentals with the Subaru Solterra and carries Toyota's reliability reputation; a lower-drama alternative for buyers who want an electric compact SUV without the ID.4's recall count.