Volkswagen is recalling 60,490 2021-2023 ID.4, Q4 E-Tron, and Q4 Sportback E-Tron vehicles for gear-position display failure. Free software update at a franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 60,490 2021-2023 ID.4, Q4 E-Tron, and Q4 Sportback E-Tron vehicles because the instrument panel can fail to show the transmission gear lever position correctly. A missing gear display can lead to rollaway when the parking brake is not engaged, increasing crash risk, and the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The brake control unit software on affected 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4, Q4 E-Tron, and Q4 Sportback E-Tron vehicles helps manage brake-system functions and shares status information with the instrument cluster. The cluster is the screen in front of the driver that shows the selected gear and the red parking brake indicator. That information matters when the driver is confirming whether the vehicle is in neutral and whether the parking brake is set.
On affected vehicles, the brake control unit has a software behavior that can send the wrong status to the display. Under the reported condition, the instrument panel does not properly show the transmission gear lever indicator, including the N position. The issue was corrected with updated brake control unit software.
What you notice is on the instrument cluster. If the parking brake is not engaged, the red parking brake indicator light is not illuminated. Before leaving the vehicle, confirm that the red parking brake light is on so the vehicle does not roll when it is not intended to move.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 model lines across the 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years, all tied to brake control unit software affecting gear position indication and hydraulic brake control.
| 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron | automatic transmission |
| 2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron | hydraulic brake system |
| 2022 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron | hydraulic brake system |
| 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 | automatic transmission |
| 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron | automatic transmission |
| 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron | hydraulic brake system |
| 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 | hydraulic brake system |
| 2023 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron | automatic transmission |
| 2023 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 60,490 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
The year, make, and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Failure to display the gear position creates rollaway risk when the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash. Before leaving the vehicle, confirm the red parking brake indicator light is illuminated. If it is not lit, keep the vehicle secured and contact the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 E-Tron, or Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen or Audi dealer to schedule the free brake-control-unit software update that fixes the gear-position display problem.
- Reference recall number 25V120 when you call, and ask whether Volkswagen recall 97H3 or Audi recall 454R applies to your vehicle.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. The dealer can still confirm the repair by VIN without the letter.
- Engage the parking brake every time you park until the software update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician updates the brake control unit software so the instrument panel properly shows the transmission gear lever indicator. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Volkswagen and Audi are not offering a separate reimbursement program because the included vehicles are within warranty coverage. If you already paid for a related repair, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies to your prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| February 27, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 28, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| February 28, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 14, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 25, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 25, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V120?
Recall 25V120 covers 60,490 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 E-Tron, and Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron vehicles. The instrument panel can fail to display the gear position, which can lead to rollaway if the parking brake is not engaged.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4, Q4 E-Tron, or Q4 Sportback E-Tron is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V120. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen or Audi dealer to schedule the brake control unit software update. Reference Volkswagen recall 97H3 or Audi recall 454R when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen says dealers will update the brake control unit software free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at the franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is vehicle rollaway. If the instrument panel does not show the gear position and the parking brake is not engaged, the vehicle can move unexpectedly and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free software update if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Volkswagen mailed owner letters on March 14, 2025, but a used-vehicle owner can miss that notice. Check your VIN and give the dealer recall 25V120 when scheduling.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V120000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V120 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V120000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →