2025 Volkswagen Id.4 Safety Report

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 presents a mixed safety picture, demonstrating excellent crash test performance but raising concerns regarding its electrical systems and instances of unintended acceleration. NHTSA awarded the vehicle a perfect 5-star overall safety rating, with 5 stars in frontal and side crash tests, and a 4-star rollover rating. This indicates strong occupant protection in collision scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 20 complaints, including 5 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries, which is notable for a relatively new model year. The most significant safety concern is a recall issued for the high-voltage battery, which may overheat and increase the risk of fire. This recall directly addresses one of the reported fire incidents. A prominent pattern in the complaints revolves around the electrical system, accounting for 5 out of 20 complaints. Issues include the infotainment system repeatedly going black and rebooting while driving, rendering critical functions like climate control, navigation, and the backup camera inoperable. Other electrical problems involve USB ports failing, child lock errors disabling window and lock functions, and the vehicle unlocking itself. A particularly alarming pattern involves unintended acceleration, with multiple reports of the vehicle suddenly surging forward at low speeds, often while parking or braking, leading to crashes and injuries. These incidents are severe, with one complaint detailing a crash into two parked cars and another involving a vehicle launching through a wall, deploying airbags, and causing burns. The single recall for the 2025 ID.4 addresses a critical safety defect: the high-voltage battery overheating, which poses a fire risk. This recall is directly relevant to the reported fire incidents and highlights a significant propulsion system vulnerability. While the crash test ratings are exemplary, the real-world complaint data, particularly concerning electrical system failures and unintended acceleration, suggests potential safety gaps that are not captured by traditional crash tests. The combination of a high-profile recall and multiple reports of serious operational malfunctions warrants careful consideration for prospective buyers.

Our recommendation: While the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 boasts excellent crash test ratings, prospective buyers should be aware of the recall for battery overheating and numerous complaints regarding electrical system failures and unintended acceleration. Thoroughly investigate recall completion and test all infotainment and driver-assist systems during a test drive.