2021 Volkswagen ID.4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
331 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
25,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 170 of 331 complaints (51.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 112 | 33.8% |
| Braking behavior | 52 | 15.7% |
| Steering behavior | 20 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 170 |
| Unknown Or Other | 59 |
| Service Brakes | 34 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 21 |
| Power Train | 21 |
| Structure | 19 |
Electrical System: 170; Unknown Or Other: 59; Service Brakes: 34; Vehicle Speed Control: 33; Fuel/Propulsion System: 24; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 21; Power Train: 21; Structure: 19
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 295 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 54 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 67 |
| 2025 | 55 |
| 2026 | 37 |
2021: 19; 2022: 54; 2023: 99; 2024: 67; 2025: 55; 2026: 37
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 112 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 52 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11427200 · 2021-07-30 (July 30, 2021)
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear window defrost grid How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential electrical fire Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Confirmed by Galpin VW and Santa Monica Vw dealers and the manufacturer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? yes the vehicle has been inspected by Galpin VW Were there any warning …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431062 · 2021-08-30 (August 30, 2021)
The vehicle went into complete shutdown, it was unable to be placed into Drive or Reverse and vehicle was completely immobile. Various warnings appeared on the instrument cluster. After letting the vehicle sit it was returned to the dealer, where they experienced the same issues, but eventually replaced various electrical components and re-booted/re-programmed the systems. Approximately 11 days after receiving the vehicle back from repair the same thing occurred, additionally the automatic hold feature, to prevent rolling in neutral, failed and…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433077 · 2021-09-15 (September 15, 2021)
While operating the vehicle at stop lights on a grade or any situation the vehicle stops on a grade when releasing the brake the vehicle rolls back potentially causing a collision. Power must immediately be applied in these situations.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434567 · 2021-09-27 (September 27, 2021)
Warning indicator came on several times, brake and steering problems.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440088 · 2021-11-10 (November 10, 2021)
Pulling into a parking space, using reiterative braking (B Mode). When applying brakes, car bolted and could not be controlled. It jumped a curb and drove straight toward a building. Brakes would not respond. Steering would not respond. I managed to steer the car avoiding the building but taking down a bench and ripping up the turf in front of the building. Car made a complete u-turn before coming to a stop. At that point, all electrical systems shut down, including the outside mirrors--they retracted. There was damage to exterior of the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11461195 · 2022-04-18 (April 18, 2022)
I bought my ID4 new at the end of May 2021. When it started to get cold my car started losing Mileage Very Rapidly and I kept getting an Error for 12Volt power supply. Carnet would not work and car could not be opened without pushing unlock "key". Car was serviced Jan 24 and still had a problem. Next time the individual who works on EVs talked to VW and ordered a new battery, Feb 9. Battery replaced Feb 23. When leaving dealership and pulling out onto the main road the car appeared to completely stall out . Started right back on it’s own but …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11461195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472996 · 2022-07-08 (July 8, 2022)
Driving on the highway and with no warning got an “error” message and a message that the electrical system was shutting down. Also popped up some reference about the 12 volt battery. Car went into a neutral type mode and started to slow due to complete loss of power. Luckily we were able to get to the emergency lane from the middle highway lane and coast to a stop. Extremely dangerous for a complete loss of power to occur with no warning. Car turned itself off while we were calling VW roadside assistance. It then was able to be turned back o…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483826 · 2022-09-10 (September 10, 2022)
At a red light, upon releasing the break to accelerate, the vehicle turned off. Meaning, the vehicle went from drive mode "D" to park "P" when I accelerated as the light turned green. This occured without prior warning that it would shift into "P". When I put my foot on the break to shift back into "D", then accelerated again, the vehicle went back into "P". It felt as if the "transmission" had given out. There was a light push (not quite a jolt) then it went into "P". After the third attempt, the vehicle finally drove as I accelerated. I was g…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511159 · 2023-03-10 (March 10, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V040000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle shifted out of drive(D), powered down, and started coasting. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes were still functioning as designed. The contact was able to steer safely through traffic and stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle reset independently after 2 minutes and resumed…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11511159 at NHTSA ↗