Volkswagen is recalling around 72,700 electric cars worldwide because some of their high-voltage battery cells could overheat. The ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz built between 2022 and 2025 are affected, along with the Cupra Born built between 2022 and 2024. Until a permanent fix is ready, the affected cars are being limited to an 80% charge.
Which cars are affected
Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has published three recalls covering 72,668 cars, around 10,000 of them in Germany. Two cover the Volkswagen models and the third covers the Cupra Born. Volkswagen has also confirmed the recall in the UK, where it includes the ID. Buzz Cargo van.
Not every car built in those years is included. Volkswagen is narrowing the list down by production date, battery supplier and cell batch, so the number may change. Skoda models aren't affected.
Source: Volkswagen
What's wrong
Volkswagen's own quality checks found that some cells from one of its battery suppliers don't meet its standards because of manufacturing faults. In rare cases, those cells could overheat, and in extreme cases there's a risk of fire.
The KBA says there have been no reports of damage or injuries, and describes the recall as a precaution.
What owners should do
Affected cars are getting an over-the-air software update that limits charging to 80%. This is a safety measure, not the battery care setting many owners already use, so leave it in place until your car has been checked.
Volkswagen says the work will be done free of charge, and owners will be contacted by letter. If you want to check sooner, give your registration or VIN to a Volkswagen or Cupra dealer. In some countries you can also check online: the UK's DVSA has a free recall checker, and in Germany the KBA lists the recalls under references 17137R, 17101R and 17103R.
(The KBA references and vehicle numbers were correct at 28 October 2026. Volkswagen may update the list of affected cars.)
What happens next
The permanent fix hasn't been finalised. Workshops are expected to inspect the high-voltage battery or individual battery modules in each affected car.
Source: Volkswagen
Audi and US recalls
The problem has spread beyond Volkswagen. In the US, Audi has recalled 9,048 Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron models built in Germany with cells from a specific batch made in Hungary, and owners have been told not to charge above 80%. It isn't yet clear whether the Audi recall will be extended to Europe.
Volkswagen has also recalled 22,524 US-built ID.4s with a different battery supplier, with the same 80% advice. European ID.4s, which are built in Zwickau and Emden, use different cells and aren't part of that recall.