2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Brakes Problems

Request for Investigation: Volkswagen is intentionally ignoring a widespread GPS/SOS module failure and leaving thousands of battery fire hazards on the road, while its dealers exploit safety service visits to extort customers. I urge the NHTSA to launch a formal investigation into VW’s failure to recall the defective GPS modules and their systemic practice of offering cash settlements to suppress safety defect reporting. Thank you for your attention to this urgent public safety matter. I stand ready to provide all supporting documentation, including the dealer’s fraudulent invoice and VW’s settlement communications, upon your request. I respectfully urge the NHTSA to act swiftly and decisively to prevent another corporate cover-up like Dieselgate, and before these unaddressed safety defects result in a fatal tragedy—as we recently saw with Hyundai's delayed recall following a child's death.

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID-4. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space at barely 2 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the rear of a building. The contact stated that while reversing from the scene, the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to stop upon depressing the brake pedal and was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a big concrete and iron post and stopped. A nearby auto body shop technician informed the contact that the vehicle was a total loss. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the automatic emergency braking system failed to engage as designed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed, but the contact did not have the police report information available. The vehicle was towed to the police impound lot. The insurance company then towed the vehicle to IAA, a salvage vehicle auction lot, but the insurance company had not confirmed that the vehicle was a total loss. There was was property damage. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Automatic parking assist and reverse braking systems exhibit severe, recurring malfunctions causing collisions and injuries. On May 24, 2025, at approx. 4:10 PM, auto-park uncommanded the vehicle to strike a mailbox in a familiar spot. Dealer dismissed incident without diagnostics. Beyond this collision, the vehicle exhibits frequent, violent, unintended braking during reverse. This occurs when: Turning body to look back: System abruptly locks brakes, causing whiplash-like neck pain to me. Dealer stated this was "normal" for "driver seating" despite explanation. Encountering minor obstacles: System misidentifies leaves/garbage bins as threats, engaging full, hard braking. This causes extreme distress and has violently thrown passengers forward. My teenager son sustained a visible bruise for one week after hitting the console during one such incident March 2024 These system malfunctions create high risk of injury to occupants and pedestrians. The unpredictable braking events are a fundamental flaw. These issues were reported to the dealer within weeks of purchase and to VW Group of America Customer Care (800-822-8987) after the mailbox incident. They remain unresolved."

I was easing into a parking spot and braking when the car suddenly and uncontrollablly accelerated, leveling a light pole in front of me and finally coming to a stop on top of the light pole base

My car has experience Phantom braking 3 times. The automated braking system unexpectedly activated while I was driving out of my driveway and on to the street. There were no cars on the road when it happened. Another time it happened while I was backing out of my garage. It unexpectedly slammed the brakes. It is very scary when it happens because the body ricochets and it startles you and the car goes into park mode. The third time happened while I was driving in a crowded parking lot. I was moving like 5 miles an hour very slowly and it activated the automated braking system, there was a car behind me and I almost got rear ended. I just hope it doesn’t happen to me while I am driving on the freeway. I will be a very dangerous outcome.

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V120000 (Power Train, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), 24V344000 (Back Over Prevention, Equipment, Electrical System), and 24V651000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after shifting to park(P) on an incline, the hazard lights started flashing, and the indicator lights and horn were unintentionally activated. The contact reversed a little and shifted back into park(P), and the failure was self-corrected. The failure occurred again while parked in a parking lot with the vehicle unoccupied. The contact returned to the vehicle, and the failure was self-corrected. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the software update was unavailable under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V120000 (Power Train, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 24V344000 (Back Over Prevention, Equipment, Electrical System). The dealer placed the contact on a waiting list for the repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V651000 (Structure) for 5 months. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Brakes do not work at random times. You go to stop and the brake pedal depresses all the way to the floor with the vehicle not stopping at all. This happens at random times, not all the time. The dealer said that they could not find anything wrong with it.

pulling into parking lot of child's daycare, had foot on the break and then suddenly the car lunged forward and slammed into fence. had to forcefully slam on brakes to stop car Car is currently at the dealership for collision repair, waiting to see what the computer reports. Police report has been filed. Do not have at this time Newton MA police dept report #24032707 No warning messages or previous symptoms.

My 2023 ID4 suddenly accelerated and lunged forward (while my foot was on the brake) as I was turning right into a parking spot. I was going very slow with my foot on the brake . The ID4 lurched forward which propelled me in the wall of a concrete building that I was parking at (luckily no damage to the building). The acceleration was so powerful it’s like I floored it and frightening. None of the warning signals, sensors or collision warnings went off, nor did the emergency braking (when an object is too close in the front of the vehicle). After the ID4 went into the wall- it had registered that there was a collision (but nothing before). There was damage to the lower plastic bumper, the hood popped open (the latch to open the hood inside the vehicle now did not work) and some paint scratches. This had never happened before, I have taken it to my local VW dealer service department, unfortunately they have not been able to reproduce the issue. Had I been coming to stop at a traffic light, or been in a busy parking lot, it could have been much worse as this could have lurched into another vehicle, pedestrian or business store front.

After parking on a slope, front of car uphill, slope of about 15-20 degrees, placing car in park, the car would roll back once out of car. It happened once and went up against another car, minor scrape, but I was almost pinned. I moved the car to a different spot with similar slope, it happed again. The wheels were rotating, had to jump in passenger side and push hand onto brake. It had happened once before, but went up against a curb, but I had thought I had parked poorly. But in retrospect, likely rolled. Tried to call/contact VW, but it is a Friday and they do not accept safety calls Friday evening through Tuesday.

Since purchasing my vehicle in January of 2023 the front breaks have been squeaking. I brought this to the attention of the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, several times. I even asked them how I will I even supposed to know if I need new brakes because the start of the squeaking is typically a sign to get your brakes checked. Anyway, online auto forums are loaded with this squeaking brake problem!!! A few weeks ago I went in for service and VW told me my brakes were at 6mm, and suggested replacement of the pads. Yes, at 6 mm! So now all I can help but think that VW has known all along about this brake problem and at about year three, they feel that they can recommend a brake job. After leaving the dealership, I went to the garage near my house and they ordered new front pads and rotors. My problem has been resolved!! Squeaking gone!! The safety concern here is that driving this vehicle with the squeaky brakes for year will cause the driver to ignore the ongoing squeaking noise, which may result in them driving beyond the life of the brakes.

As you pull to a complete stop, in the final speed between 2mph and 0mph, the brake will pull away from my foot and go straight towards the floor. The car will lurch forward and then come to a complete stop. This happens 2-4 times per month and the dealership can’t find any service codes. My wife won’t drive the vehicle.

1) Brakes: Brakes decelerate and is difficult to stop the vehicle. This is not in all cases when I stop. When I need to do an emergency stop I have to push the brake pedal very hard and pedal pressure feels low. I hope I dont get into and accident when trying to stop. 2) Lane departing warning: The vehicle some times would interpret the street white lines or yellow lanes incorrectly. It would sometime jerk my steering to correct my driving. If a white line stops at an intersection and starts after an intersection it would try and correct my driving. I think this is very dangerous. Should have the option to switch off auto lane correcting and just flash a warning.

On Saturday, December 24th, I was leaving to go to the gym with my wife. I pulled left out of the driveway and we heard a loud screeching type noise, very high-pitched. Many lights came on in the vehicle at that point. Too numerous to document actually which ones. We also smelled burnt smoke and there was actually some smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. I turned the car around which was difficult so I could get the car off the main road and back into the driveway where it was safe. Upon parking the vehicle I could see the rear, driver's side tire was damaged. The tire was not rotating and was locked there was about 20 feet of rubber marks coming out of the driveway into the street and back to the driveway. I called VW immediately and it was brought into service. See attached service report. Looks like the brakes were installed incorrectly at the factory. Imagine driving a car where the brakes lock on you and the tires do not move. Extremely scary. This incident could of been a lot worse. The electric battery could of seized and caused a fire.

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and approaching a traffic light while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle started to shudder and vibrate. The contact stated that the brake failure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started decelerating. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The contact waited an hour and a half before restarting the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The contact stated she experience the failure twice on December 29, 2022. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer but was not provided a diagnostic result of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 393.