What owners of ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID. Buzz and Cupra Born need to know now
Volkswagen is recalling electric cars from the ID. family and the Cupra Born. Individual battery cells can overheat, and in extreme cases, there is a risk of fire. Until the vehicle is tested, affected vehicles may only be charged to 80 percent and only outdoors. Rogert & Ulbrich explains the rights of vehicle owners.
What is known about the recall
According to the ADAC (German Automobile Club), around 72,700 electric cars worldwide are affected, including approximately 68,000 VW vehicles and 4,691 Cupra Born models. In Germany, the number of affected vehicles is 9,881: 8,650 VWs and 1,231 Cupra Born models.
The following models and production periods are affected:
- Cupra Born: Production from September 2022 to May 2024.
- VW ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz: Production between July 2022 and June 2025, divided into two recall campaigns with different timeframes.
Not every vehicle from these periods is automatically affected. Volkswagen cites production errors at suppliers as the cause: individual high-voltage battery cells do not meet the specifications. This can, in rare cases, lead to increased thermal stress, and in extreme cases, to a risk of fire.
Until the battery has been tested in a workshop, two restrictions apply to affected vehicles: they may only be charged to a maximum of 80 percent, and charging is only permitted outdoors. The charging limit will only be lifted once the battery is deemed to be in perfect working order. The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is listing the recall in its database.
This is not the first battery recall this year. Back in March 2026, Volkswagen recalled more than 90,000 electric cars due to problems with high-voltage batteries. In the US, the ID.4 produced in the US, which uses cells from a different supplier, is also affected.
Do you drive an ID. or a Cupra Born and are unsure whether your vehicle is affected? Have your situation legally assessed.
What owners should do now
Volkswagen is informing affected owners in writing. According to current information, those who have not received a letter are not affected. Regardless, you should take the following steps:
- Vehicle inspection: Check your vehicle's identification number in the recall database of the Federal Motor Transport Authority or with your dealer.
- Comply with the guidelines: Until the test, charge to a maximum of 80 percent and only outdoors, not in the garage or underground parking garage.
- Schedule a workshop appointment: Please contact an authorized repair shop as soon as possible. The recall inspection will be free of charge.
- Document everything: Keep the recall notice, workshop reports, and correspondence. Note how long the restrictions last.
- Inform your insurance company: Check with your car insurance company to see if there are any special requirements. Those who disregard these requirements risk disputes with their insurer in the event of an accident.
A recall is no reason to panic, but it should be taken seriously. The restrictions are for your safety and the safety of others.
Is your repair shop fully booked or are the restrictions continuing? Document the duration; it could be important for your claims.
Is the charging limit a defect?
A recall alone does not automatically entitle you to return the vehicle. If you have your car repaired as part of a recall, you will generally receive exactly what the law initially stipulates: the rectification of the defect.
Legally, however, there is strong support for the view that a vehicle with defective battery cells has a material defect (§ 434 BGB). A car must be suitable for its ordinary use. For an electric car, this includes the ability to fully charge the battery and charge the vehicle in one's own garage.
The restrictions have noticeable consequences. Those who are only allowed to charge to 80 percent lose a portion of their usable range. Those without an outdoor parking space may no longer be able to charge their car at home at all. You should be aware of such disadvantages. document carefully.
The crucial factor is how quickly and permanently the defect is remedied. If the inspection takes a long time, the charging limitation persists, or the problem recurs after the repair, the remedy may be considered unsuccessful. In such cases, rescission of the purchase contract or a reduction in the purchase price may be considered. Whether this threshold has been reached depends on the individual case.
Has your charging limit been in place for weeks? Have your vehicle checked to see if you can demand more than just waiting for the next service appointment.
Warranty, guarantee and the question of deadlines
Claims for defects are directed against the seller, usually the car dealership. For new cars, the warranty period is two years from delivery. Many of the affected vehicles were delivered in 2022 and 2023. For these, this period may already have expired.
In addition, Volkswagen offers a manufacturer's warranty for the high-voltage battery in its ID. models. The scope of services and the conditions under which it applies are detailed in the warranty terms and conditions. A warranty is voluntary and may be more limited in scope than the statutory warranty.
For you, this means:
- Check delivery date: Determine when the vehicle was handed over to you. This will determine whether the warranty is still valid.
- Report defects in writing: Report any limitations or problems to the seller in writing while the deadline is still running.
- Read the warranty conditions: Check what rights you have under the manufacturer's warranty.
In the case of leased vehicles, warranty rights usually transfer to the lessee. At the latest when... Return of the leased vehicle It should be clear whether the recall has been completed and who will pay for any potential loss in value.
Is your warranty about to expire? Act now before your claims expire.
Used cars: Rights when buying from a dealer or privately
Many ID. models and Cupra Born are now on the used car market. The recall applies to these vehicles as well, since it relates to the vehicle itself, not the owner.
Anyone who has purchased from a retailer generally has warranty rights. Buying a used car from a dealer However, the warranty period can be reduced to one year. When buying from a private seller, the warranty is often excluded. In that case, the manufacturer's recall measures and, if applicable, the battery warranty remain the primary options.
If the seller knew about a known recall and concealed it, this may constitute fraudulent misrepresentation. In this case, even an agreed exclusion of warranty is invalid.
Anyone wishing to sell an affected vehicle should disclose the recall. This protects against later claims from the buyer.
Did you buy a used ID. or Cupra Born and only just learned about the recall? Have it checked whether the seller was aware of it.
In case of a fire: Who is liable?
According to the manufacturer, fires are rare. However, if one does occur, the question of liability arises.
For damage to other property, such as a garage, house, or household contents, the manufacturer is liable under the Product Liability Act if a defective product caused the damage. Fault is not a factor. In the case of property damage, the injured party bears a deductible of €500. Damage to the vehicle itself is not covered by the Product Liability Act. Comprehensive insurance and contractual claims may apply in this case.
In the event of a fire, you should immediately report the damage to your insurance company, secure evidence, and not have the vehicle scrapped prematurely. The cause of the fire often needs to be determined by an expert.
A fire is an exceptional situation for those affected. Seek legal advice early, before deadlines expire or evidence is lost.
Rogert & Ulbrich – Your lawyers for electric car defects
Rogert & Ulbrich has represented car buyers against dealers and manufacturers for many years. The firm is familiar with the disputes with the Volkswagen Group from numerous proceedings related to the emissions scandal. The partners Dr. Marco Rogert and Tobias Ulbrich have extensive experience in Automotive sector, even in the case of defects in electric vehicles.
We will inspect your vehicle to determine if it has a defect, what deadlines apply, and whether you can claim a refund, a price reduction, or damages. We will enforce your claims against the dealer and manufacturer, both out of court and in court.
Is your ID. or Cupra Born affected by the recall and are the restrictions still in place? Take contact and secure your claims.
