5000 electric Volkswagens hit with 80% charge limit over fire risk
Owners of some electric Volkswagen and Cupra models have been prevented from charging their cars past 80% over concerns that the battery could overheat and catch fire.
The Volkswagen Group is preparing to issue a recall for selected ID 3, ID 4, ID 7, ID Buzz and Cupra Born models produced between 2022 and 2025 in order to check that their battery components “meet quality standards”.
A recall issued in other markets also includes Audi Q4 E-tron models produced during that period, but the SUV is not listed by the UK notice.
The notice applies to around 5000 cars in the UK, Autocar understands, of some 85,000 worldwide.
The affected vehicles are fitted with batteries from an unnamed supplier, containing components that “might not meet our high-quality standards” and could overheat when charged above 80% capacity, “posing a fire risk”, said VW.
“This could result in serious or life-threatening injuries to people inside and outside the vehicle, as well as significant property damage,” the company warned.
There have been no confirmed cases of injury, said VW, but some property damage has been reported.
Ahead of the impacted vehicles being checked, an 80% charging limit has been imposed via an over-the-air update, meaning owners are unable to use their car’s full range in the meantime. Based on official WLTP figures for the ID 3, the 20% shortfall could amount to between 40 and 70 miles of lost range.
Volkswagen says it has contacted retail customers where possible and advised fleet companies of the move. It has also posted notices on the relevant brand websites.
The company advises that technical faults with the battery would not be “necessarily recognisable” so all 5000 cars will need to be checked. It has not given a timeframe for the process.
Owners will be contacted and some will need to take their car to a workshop for a physical safety check – lasting one hour – and battery modules replaced where needed.
Other cars can be checked and updated over the air, said VW, and owners will be given a date and instructions in due course.
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