Recall 21V413 affects 3,240 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles for headlight aim caps that allow horizontal adjustment. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 3,240 2021 ID.4 vehicles because caps on the headlight vertical aim allow horizontal adjustment of the headlight beam. That adjustment can increase glare, reduce driver visibility, and raise the risk of a crash; Volkswagen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
On the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, a small cap on the headlight adjustment mechanism is supposed to block horizontal aim adjustment. Headlights still need vertical adjustment so the beam points at the correct height, but the side-to-side aim is supposed to stay locked after factory setup.
On affected ID.4 vehicles, the cap was installed on the vertical aim adjuster instead. That leaves the horizontal aim adjuster accessible and blocks the wrong adjustment point. The filing describes this as an assembly issue, not a defective part: factory work instructions were misunderstood after headlight adjustment, so the cap ended up in the wrong place.
You are unlikely to feel this problem while driving because it is in the headlight aiming hardware, not the steering or brakes. There is no warning sign before failure. A dealer inspection is the practical way to confirm whether the cap is installed in the correct position.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | Headlights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3,240 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Improper headlight aim can create glare and reduce the driver's visibility, which increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign tied to the adjustment, so schedule the repair soon and avoid adjusting the horizontal beam yourself. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free headlight-aim cap repair that prevents improper horizontal headlight adjustment and glare.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V413 when you call.
- Avoid adjusting the headlight aim until the dealer completes the repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician removes the caps from the headlight vertical aim adjusters and installs them on the horizontal aim adjusters, matching the recall repair. The parts and labor are free under the recall. Volkswagen is not offering a separate reimbursement plan because the affected vehicles are within the new vehicle limited warranty period. If you already paid for related headlight work, ask the service desk how the existing warranty applies to your repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 2, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 18, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 30, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| July 30, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 30, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 30, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V413?
Recall 21V413 covers 3,240 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles with headlight aim caps installed on the vertical aim instead of the horizontal aim. That setup allows horizontal headlight adjustment and does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108.
What should I do if my 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ID.4 is included in recall 21V413. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and reference recall number 9406. The dealer will move the caps to the correct headlight aim location for free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. Volkswagen dealers will remove the caps from the vertical aim and install them on the horizontal aim free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is headlight glare and reduced visibility. If the horizontal headlight beam is adjusted, glare can reduce what the driver sees and raise crash risk. The repair path is clear: a Volkswagen dealer corrects the cap placement for free.
When were owners notified about recall 21V413?
Volkswagen mailed owner notification letters on June 18, 2021. If you bought the ID.4 used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then call a Volkswagen dealer if it is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V413000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V413 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V413000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →