The European classic Volkswagen has issued an urgent recall for more than 60,000 electric vehicles in the United States due to a software flaw that could result in dangerous rollaway incidents. If drivers do not use the parking brake, the malfunction creates a rollaway risk. The recall was prompted after five incidents were reported outside of the United States. This follows a previous recall of around 30,000 vehicles for rearview camera display issues.
Critical Safety Issue Identified in Popular EV Models
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on March 1 that Volkswagen is recalling 60,490 electric vehicles in the United States. The recall affects 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4 models, along with 2022-2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron and Q4 e-Tron Sportback vehicles. The issue stems from a software error that causes incorrect gear position displays on the instrument panel, potentially leading drivers to believe their vehicle is in park when it actually isn’t.
The defect was first identified in August after Volkswagen received reports of five incidents occurring outside the United States. These incidents prompted an immediate investigation, culminating in the current recall action. The gear display malfunction creates a dangerous scenario where vehicles could roll away unexpectedly if drivers exit without engaging the parking brake, posing significant safety risks to both vehicle owners and the public.
Unlike Tesla, Volkswagen customers will need to bring in their car to a dealership
Volkswagen has indeed initiated a recall of over 60,000 electric vehicles in the United States, but the issue is not specifically described as a "major display error" in the most recent reports.… pic.twitter.com/oS453d2RW7— Cop4x4 (@Cop4x4tv) March 1, 2025
Ongoing Electric Vehicle Challenges
This recall represents another hurdle for Volkswagen as it continues its push into the electric vehicle market. The German automaker has faced previous software-related issues, including a recall of approximately 30,000 vehicles due to rearview camera display malfunctions. These recurring software problems highlight the complex technical challenges faced by traditional automakers transitioning to electric and more software-dependent vehicles.
“Volkswagen is implementing a recall of over 60,000 U.S. cars due to a malfunction where the gear position is not displayed, posing a risk of the vehicle rolling away if the parking brake is not engaged.” – Fox Business
Some owners have reported related issues on Volkswagen forums, including infotainment screen blanking problems that may not register fault codes in the vehicle’s diagnostic systems. These issues have been particularly frustrating for owners because they occur intermittently, making them difficult to diagnose during dealer service appointments. In Europe, Volkswagen released an over-the-air update (version 3.7) that reportedly addresses some of these issues, but American customers are still awaiting similar solutions.
Volkswagen to recall over 60,000 US vehicles, NHTSA says https://t.co/CAhnt4axMj pic.twitter.com/i5Ht71HQJs
— Automotive News (@Automotive_News) March 1, 2025
Volkswagen’s Response and Industry Implications
Volkswagen is actively contacting owners of affected vehicles, advising them to visit authorized dealers for corrective measures. The company will update the software in the affected vehicles at no cost to owners. This proactive approach demonstrates Volkswagen’s commitment to customer safety, though the recall inevitably raises questions about the reliability of its electric vehicle technology at a critical time for the brand’s EV strategy in the American market.
The global electric vehicle market, valued at approximately $120 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 25% through 2030. However, safety concerns like this recall can significantly impact consumer confidence in emerging EV technologies. For established automakers like Volkswagen competing against dedicated EV manufacturers, addressing these software defects promptly and effectively is essential to maintaining market position and consumer trust.