Recall 23V040 affects 20,904 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles for software that can cut drive power. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 20,904 2021 ID.4 vehicles because software programming can restart the high-voltage battery management control module or deactivate the pulse inverter. That failure can cause a loss of drive power and increase crash risk, and Volkswagen dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 uses a high voltage battery management control module to monitor the traction battery and keep the electric drive system operating within limits. It also uses pulse inverter software to control the pulse inverter, the part that turns battery power into power the electric motor can use. Together, these modules help manage how stored electrical energy becomes drive power.
On affected ID.4 vehicles, the battery management software is too sensitive during self-diagnosis. In certain operating conditions, it can restart the control module even though a reset is not needed. The pulse inverter software can also evaluate internal measurement values incorrectly. When that fault is detected, the pulse inverter can deactivate, which interrupts power delivery to the motor.
When this happens, Volkswagen says steering and braking are not affected, and the vehicle remains controllable. The driver receives an immediate warning in the instrument cluster when the condition occurs.
Who's affected?
| 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 20,904 |
| 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?
A reset or deactivation can cause loss of drive power, which increases crash risk. The driver gets an immediate instrument-cluster warning when this happens. If that warning appears, move out of traffic when safe and call a Volkswagen dealer. 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 software update for the HV battery management control unit and pulse inverter control unit, which addresses the restart or deactivation linked to loss of drive power.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V040 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete, and pull over safely if drive power drops.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician updates the HV battery management control unit software and the pulse inverter control unit software. The recall repair is free, and the software update and labor are covered by Volkswagen. This recall does not include a reimbursement plan, so Volkswagen is not offering repayment for prior out-of-pocket repairs under this campaign. Ask the service desk to confirm that recall 23V040 and Volkswagen recall 97ZZ are completed on your repair order.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| February 1, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 30, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 31, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| March 31, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 31, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V040?
Recall 23V040 covers 20,904 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles with software programming that can restart the high-voltage battery management control module or deactivate the pulse inverter. That can cause loss of drive power and raise crash risk. Volkswagen dealers update the software 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 23V040. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the high-voltage battery management control unit and pulse inverter control unit software updates. Reference recall 23V040 or Volkswagen recall number 97ZZ when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect repair at no cost, and Volkswagen says dealers will update the affected software free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 before the recall repair?
Volkswagen did not issue a do-not-drive instruction for recall 23V040. The safety risk is loss of drive power if the control module resets or the pulse inverter deactivates. Confirm your VIN, schedule the free software update, and ask the dealer for guidance if the vehicle loses drive power.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V040000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V040 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V040000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →