Recall 21V607 affects 12,060 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles for rear seat belts that lack ALR child-seat locking. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 12,060 2021 ID.4 vehicles because some rear outboard seat belt assemblies were built without the automatic locking retractor function used to secure child seats. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash, and Volkswagen dealers will inspect and replace the affected seat belt assemblies free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The outer rear seat belt assembly in a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 includes the belt webbing, buckle tongue, and retractor for the rear outboard seating positions. The retractor normally lets the belt pull out for a passenger, then lock when needed. For a child restraint, the automatic locking retractor, or ALR, keeps the belt tight so the seat stays secured.
On affected ID.4 vehicles, Volkswagen says an incorrect rear outboard seat belt assembly was installed at the factory. That assembly was not released for the U.S. market and does not include the ALR function required for this seating position. Without that locking function, the belt can prevent a child restraint system from securing properly, so the vehicle does not meet the occupant crash protection requirement.
The visible check is on the seat belt tongue. Correct assemblies have "FMVSS" printed on the tongue. If that marking is missing on an outer rear belt, use that detail when you call a Volkswagen dealer.
Who's affected?
Both seat belt descriptions refer to the same outer rear seat belt assembly.
| 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 12,060 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash. The correct seat belt assemblies have "FMVSS" printed on the seat belt tongue, so ask the dealer to inspect the rear outboard belts before relying on them for a child seat. 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 a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free rear outboard seat belt inspection and replacement if needed, which restores the automatic locking retractor needed to secure a child restraint.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V607 when you call.
- Avoid using a child restraint in a rear outboard seat until the dealer confirms the seat belt assembly has the automatic locking retractor.
- Call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 with questions and reference Volkswagen recall 69CQ.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician inspects the rear outboard seat belt assemblies and replaces any assembly that is missing the automatic locking retractor function. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Repairs already paid are handled through the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement plan, because all affected vehicles are within that warranty period. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 4, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 27, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 1, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| October 1, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 1, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V607?
Recall 21V607 covers 12,060 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles with rear outboard seat belt assemblies that lack the automatic locking retractor function. That defect can keep a child restraint from securing properly. Volkswagen dealers will inspect the seat belts and replace affected assemblies for free.
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 21V607. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the rear seat belt inspection. The dealer will replace the affected rear outboard seat belt assemblies for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Volkswagen to repair this defect at no cost. For recall 21V607, Volkswagen dealers inspect the rear outboard seat belt assemblies and replace affected parts free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V607?
The risk is an unsecured child restraint in a crash. If the rear outboard seat belt lacks the automatic locking retractor function, the child restraint system can fail to secure properly, increasing injury risk during a crash.
What if I bought my Volkswagen ID.4 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received Volkswagen's owner letter, check your VIN and give recall 21V607 to the Volkswagen dealer when you schedule service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V607000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V607 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V607000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →