Definitely one of the more unusual recalls in recent memory, the Volkswagen Group is recalling ID.4 vehicles produced for the 2023 and 2024 model years between September 2022 and August 2023 due to a panoramic glass roof sunshade that burns too easily. A total of 23,883 vehicles are recalled.
Back in May 2023, the German automaker performed conformity of production tests. The sunshade's burn rate was deemed higher than the maximum allowable limit under federal motor vehicle safety standard 302. In case of a fire, the insufficiently fire retardant sunshade may increase the risk of occupant injury.
The roller-type sunshade bears part number 11K877 0426PS. Supplied by Automotive Mexico Body Systems, the suspect roller sunshades won't be replaced with properly manufactured ones. Volkswagen dealers nationwide will simply treat said sunshades with a fabric flame retardant. How did the aforementioned supplier fix this problem at its production facility, though?
As per documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Automotive Mexico Body Systems resolved the concern by reorienting the material for better performance. Otherwise put, the material of the sunshade was reversed so that the exterior side faces the interior.
At press time, VW isn't aware of any filed complaints related to said issue. Volkswagen claims that the root cause for these insufficiently fire retardant sunshades isn't known, although it's crystal clear that the supplier changed something without informing VW.
Photo: Volkswagen
Dealers were informed of this blunder on November 10, but owners will have to wait until January 5, 2024 to be notified via first-class mail. In the meantime, owners can easily determine whether their ID.4s are affected or not by running the VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.
Twinned with the Europe-only Ford Explorer EV, the ID.4 is also joined at the hip to the badge-engineered Audi Q4 e-tron and Skoda Enyaq. How similar are they? Save for the Ford Explorer EV, the Volkswagen Group siblings measure 2,765 millimeters (108.9 inches) in terms of wheelbase. Based on the MEB platform, the ID.4 comes with drum brakes out back rather than disc-type brakes.
There's a plethora of explanations as to why VW picked the more archaic design over discs, but it's very obvious that cost had something to do with it. Anyhow, the ID.4 is good value at $38,995 for the most spartan of specifications available stateside. On the other hand, you're better off with the next grade because the ID.4 Pro offers 275 miles (443 kilometers) versus 209 (336) for the ID.4 Standard.
Rear-wheel drive by default, Volkswagen's compact electric sport utility vehicle further sweetens the deal with dual-motor AWD. Choosing the additional motor comes with a driving range penalty, though, namely 255 miles (410 kilometers) between charges. The ID.4 sold 27,155 units in the first three quarters of 2023, a tremendous increase from the 11,072 sold in this period last year. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn't far behind, for it sold 25,306 units through Q3 2023.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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