The American agency NHTSA has opened an investigation into around 51,000 electric cars of the Volkswagen ID.4 model manufactured between 2021 and 2023.
This after 12 reports have come in of doors opening unintentionally while driving, reports Cars scoops.
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Dangerously wrong with the doors
According to the investigation, it is about the doors of the Volkswagen ID.4 being opened due to a breakdown in the door mechanism.
The US agency also notes that current versions of the ID.4 have already been recalled once for “door handles that do not meet factory specifications for protection against water ingress.”
In connection with this recall, it was testified that a “door could open unexpectedly when the vehicle was subjected to high lateral forces at speeds below 15 kilometers per hour.”
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Caused by damaged circuit board
The doors on the Volkswagen ID.4 are opened with door handles that are electric, not mechanical.
The problem is caused by a circuit board that controls the opening being damaged, resulting in the doors being able to open unintentionally. Reports have also come in of owners not being able to open the doors to get in or out of the car.
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The problems continue for the Volkswagen ID.4
Initially the problem was checked with a software update and a check of the door handle. If the door handle was found to be defective, it was replaced.
However, it appears that a number of cars have slipped through the checks, as the faults are still being reported.
Whether the problem of doors opening accidentally is also widespread on Volkswagen ID.4 cars in Europe is difficult to say.
A thread on a British Volkswagen Forums however, indicates that cars on this side of the Atlantic are not immune to the problem, as several ID.4 owners claim to have experienced the problem.
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