Volkswagen controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Volkswagen recalls 22,524 ID.4 SUVs in the US over battery fire risk
Recall announced
Volkswagen launched a recall in the United States covering 22,524 ID.4 electric SUVs from the 2023-2026 model years, with documents filed with NHTSA, because the high-voltage batteries supplied by SK Battery America pose a fire risk. VW's investigation found that under certain charging conditions, charging above 80% can cause thermal runaway in some vehicles' batteries, but the root cause has not yet been fully identified; VW estimates only about 0.1% of the recalled vehicles have an actual hardware defect. VW received 22 related owner complaints in the US between early 2024 and August 2026 and finalized the recall plan in late September 2026. Interim measures include warning stickers reminding owners not to charge above 80% and, for connected vehicles, an expected OTA update to cap maximum charging at 80%, while the permanent fix remains in development.
Stated objective. Interim risk-avoidance while the permanent fix is still in development: warn owners not to charge above 80% and, via OTA, cap maximum charging at 80% to reduce the risk at the source.
Company response
Recall — 大众汽车
近日，大众汽车在美国市场启动召回，共计22524台ID.4纯电SUV被列入召回清单，相关文件已提交美国国家公路交通安全管理局（NHTSA）
Investigation — 大众汽车
不过到目前为止，故障的根本诱因尚未完全定位清楚
Remediation — 大众汽车
大众推出两项临时避险手段：一是在车辆仪表盘、充电口盖内侧粘贴警示贴纸，直观提醒车主尽量不要把电量充过80%；二是部分支持联网功能的车辆，有望通过OTA远程更新，直接把电池最高充电上限锁定在80%，从源头降低风险
Source excerpt
根据车企评估，真正存在硬件缺陷的车辆仅占召回总规模的0.1%
本次召回覆盖2023至2026年款ID.4车型，车辆搭载SK Battery America提供的高压电池。大众调查发现，在特定充电工况下，如果电池电量充到80%以上，部分车辆的动力电池有可能出现热失控，继而产生起火危险
近日，大众汽车在美国市场启动召回，共计22524台ID.4纯电SUV被列入召回清单，相关文件已提交美国国家公路交通安全管理局（NHTSA），问题核心是动力电池存在起火隐患
2026
175,000 workers join IG Metall day of action against car industry job cuts
Public backlash
On 21 September, IG Metall organized a day-long, nationwide "Union Day of Action" under the motto "For a Future instead of Job Cuts," in which 175,000 workers at 280 locations across Germany's automotive and supplier industry protested against planned job cuts in the car industry. Participants included thousands of workers inside Volkswagen's Wolfsburg plant, workers at Volkswagen Kassel-Baunatal and Braunschweig, workers at Volkswagen's commercial vehicles division and ZF Wabco, and 150 people attending publicly in front of the Daimler Truck plant in Kassel.
Stated objective. Make the protest visible to the public under the motto "For a Future instead of Job Cuts"
Source excerpt
The participation of 175,000 workers was a strong signal.
IGM organized a day-long, nationwide action on 21 September.
IGM called on workers at car manufacturers and suppliers to participate under the motto “For a Future instead of Job Cuts.” The plan was to make the protest visible to the public.
2026
Volkswagen recalls about 72,700 electric vehicles over high-voltage battery defect
Recall announced
Volkswagen is recalling about 72,700 electric vehicles worldwide after internal quality checks found that some high-voltage battery cells did not meet quality requirements. In rare cases, the cells could raise battery thermal load and create a fire risk. Affected models include Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID.Buzz vehicles, as well as Cupra Born vehicles.
Stated objective. 消除安全隐患
Company response
Remediation — 大众
作为临时安全措施，大众要求受影响车辆将充电上限限制在 80%，以降低电池热失控风险。
Recall — 大众汽车（中国）销售有限公司
大众汽车（中国）销售有限公司将委托授权经销商为召回范围内的车辆检查变速箱机电单元上壳体，如果确认为所涉及供应商提供的零件，则免费更换改进后的上壳体维修套件，以消除安全隐患。
Source excerpt
因高压电池存在缺陷，大众汽车集团正在全球范围内召回约 7.27 万辆电动汽车。
大众方面表示，内部质量检查发现，部分高压电池电芯不符合质量要求。目前，缺陷产生的根本原因尚未完全查明。在极少数情况下，相关电芯可能导致电池热负荷升高，严重时存在车辆起火风险。
作为临时安全措施，大众要求受影响车辆将充电上限限制在 80%，以降低电池热失控风险。
2022
Volkswagen settles Ohio emissions claims
Settlement
Volkswagen agreed to pay Ohio $3.5 million to settle claims that it violated state laws in connection with emissions-related software. The settlement resolves Ohio's legacy claims, according to the report. The event was reported on January 24, 2022.
Source excerpt
the damage to the environment and consumer trust required us to hold Volkswagen accountable and this settlement does that.
Volkswagen will pay the state of Ohio a settlement of $3.5 million due to the now-infamous 2015 Dieselgate scandal that continues to hang a heavy cloud over the German automaker.
2021
EU fines Volkswagen and BMW over emissions-technology cartel
Fine or penalty
In July 2021, the European Commission fined Volkswagen and BMW a total of 875 million euros for colluding to curb the use of emissions-cleaning technology. The Commission stated that the companies had acknowledged their role in the cartel. The penalty concerned a cartel related to emissions technology, as announced by the EU antitrust authority.
Source excerpt
Reuters reports the European Commission has fined BMW and Volkswagen a total of €875 million (just over $1 billion) for allegedly colluding in a way that limited technology for reducing diesel engines' nitrogen oxide emissions.
VW said in a statement that it was considering a possible appeal against the fine for allegedly setting a dangerous precedent in unfamiliar territory. The automaker also maintained that the substance of the discussions was "never implemented" and that customers never suffered as a consequence.
歐盟委員會周四 (8 日) 表示，因福斯汽車和 BMW 共媒拖延推出廢氣排放潔淨技術，將依違反歐盟反壟斷規定，對兩家公司處以 8.75 億歐元 (約 10 億美元) 的巨額罰款。
2021
Volkswagen and Audi disclose vendor data breach affecting customers and prospective buyers
Issue disclosure
Volkswagen Group of America stated that an unauthorized third party obtained limited personal information from a vendor, affecting more than 3.3 million customers and prospective buyers in North America, nearly all of whom were current or potential Audi customers. Volkswagen said it would offer free credit protection services to 90,000 Audi customers and prospective buyers whose sensitive data was affected.
Volkswagen Group of America said an unauthorized third party obtained limited personal information from a vendor, affecting more than 3.3 million customers and prospective buyers in North America, nearly all of whom were current or potential Audi customers. Volkswagen said it would offer free credit protection services to 90,000 Audi customers and prospective buyers whose sensitive data was affected.
Company response
Remediation — Volkswagen Group of America
VW said 90,000 Audi customers and prospective buyers had sensitive data impacted relating to purchase or lease eligibility. VW said it will offer free credit protection services to those individuals.
Source excerpt
Volkswagen Group of America said on Friday an unauthorized third party obtained limited personal information about customers and interested buyers from a vendor that its Audi Volkswagen brands and some U.S. and Canadian dealers used for digital sales and marketing.
Nearly all those impacted were current or potential customers of Audi, one of the German automaker’s luxury brands.
VW said 90,000 Audi customers and prospective buyers had sensitive data impacted relating to purchase or lease eligibility. VW said it will offer free credit protection services to those individuals.
2021
Volkswagen agrees to $42 million Takata airbag settlement
Settlement
Volkswagen's U.S. unit agreed to a $42 million settlement covering 1.35 million vehicles equipped with faulty Takata airbag inflators. The settlement provides for reimbursement of specified owner costs, and a large portion of the funds will be used to boost recall completion rates.
Source excerpt
A total of 19 deaths in the U.S. have been attributed to faulty Takata airbag inflators that can rupture and sending metal fragments flying into the cabin.
Volkswagen's U.S. unit has agreed to a $42 million settlement covering 1.35 million vehicles equipped with faulty Takata airbag inflators.
VW's settlement will reimburse owners for things like lost wages and rental car fees
2021
Volkswagen recalls certain Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles
Recall announced
Volkswagen decided to recall certain 2021 Atlas vehicles and 2020 and 2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles because an air-conditioning water drain tube may be blocked, potentially allowing water to reach the airbag control module and cause malfunctions including unintended airbag deployment. The article says 54,429 vehicles are affected.
Company response
Recall — Volkswagen
Almost four months later, Volkswagen finally decided to recall certain 2021 vehicles along with 2020 and 2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles for a water drain tube of the air conditioning system that may be blocked.
Source excerpt
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport are being recalled due to an unexpected airbag deployment problem. In total, VW is bringing back 54,429 cars.
The issue stems from air conditioning drain tubes that were not manufactured properly, causing them to be blocked. If a tube becomes blocked, water will then leak inside the vehicle and come into contact with the airbag module.
Volkswagen’s fix will involve an inspection of the drain tube and a repair of the tube if necessary — VW says that it expects less than 1% of the recalled population to be affected. If the tube repair is necessary, VW will also replace the airbag control unit with a new one. As with any recall, all of the work will be done free of charge to the customer.
2021
Greenpeace Germany takes legal action against Volkswagen over emissions targets
Lawsuit filed
In November 2021, Greenpeace Germany took legal action against Volkswagen, claiming that the carmaker was not doing its part to combat climate change. The environmental organization's demands included ending production of internal-combustion-engine cars by 2030 and reducing carbon emissions by 65% from 2018 levels. The action was reported as a controversy note concerning Volkswagen's emissions targets.
Source excerpt
The German arm of environmental group, Greenpeace, has taken legal action against the carmaker. According to Automotive News Europe, the independent campaigning network claimed Volkswagen isn't doing its part to combat climate change.
Volkswagen has been sued in a German court by the heads of Greenpeace Germany and 20-year-old environmental activist Clara Mayer for not doing enough to combat climate change.
Greenpeace Germany and Mayer issued Volkswagen with a number of demands, including a stipulation to end production of internal combustion engines by 2030 and reducing carbon emissions by at least 65 per cent from 2018 levels by 2030. The German automaker swiftly rejected the demands, prompting the claimants to file the suit, Reuters reports.
2021
Volkswagen recalls Passat and Atlas vehicles over wheel-bearing bolts
Recall announced
Volkswagen's Product Safety Committee decided on October 8 to recall 30 Passat and Atlas vehicles assembled with improperly tightened wheel-bearing bolts. The article says the company was aware of one field claim involving noise from a loose bolt; the remedy is replacement of bolts if a dealership technician finds incorrect wheel-bearing torque.
Source excerpt
The Product Safety Committee then decided to recall the aforementioned vehicles on October 8th out of an abundance of caution
30 examples of the Passat and Atlas have been assembled at the Tennessee-based site with improperly tightened wheel bearing bolts.
The remedy component is the same as the recalled part, namely the bolts that secure the front wheel bearing with part numbers WHT.004.835 for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport and part numbers WHT.000.237.C for the Passat.
2021
Volkswagen recalls certain Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles over airbag-module attachment issue
Recall announced
Volkswagen decided to recall 379 Jetta and Jetta GLI vehicles in North America because an unauthorized rework of the airbag control module's fixation holes could leave the stud incorrectly welded, potentially affecting airbag deployment. The article says the manufacturer planned to fix the issue by bending the stud and had implemented new quality-monitoring measures at Puebla.
Company response
Remediation — Volkswagen
Bending the stud with a bending tool is the appropriate fix according to the manufacturer, and over at Puebla, the company has implemented new quality monitoring measures in the production process.
Source excerpt
The automaker believes that this topic poses no unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety, but nevertheless, Volkswagen decided to recall the Jetta out of a fear of lawsuits.
In the event of a crash, the airbags may not deploy as intended. Volkswagen also highlights unintentional deployment while driving as well in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
2021
Volkswagen discloses customer data exposure
Issue disclosure
Volkswagen disclosed that an unauthorized third party obtained customer and prospective-buyer personal information from a vendor used by Audi, Volkswagen, and some authorized dealers in the United States and Canada. The article reports that more than 3.3 million customers were affected.
Company response
Ongoing disclosure — Volkswagen
On Friday, Volkswagen notified Maine’s attorney general of the security lapse
Remediation — Volkswagen
Volkswagen has now notified all affected individuals and also reached out to almost 90,00,000 people who had particularly "sensitive information” leaked offering them free credit protection services.
Source excerpt
“We recently discovered that an unauthorized third party obtained limited personal information received from or about customers and interested buyers from a vendor that Audi, Volkswagen and some authorized dealers in the United States and Canada use for digital sales and marketing activities," a spokesperson said in a statement.
On Friday, Volkswagen notified Maine’s attorney general of the security lapse stating that all the aggrieved customers were either those who engaged in businesses with the company and its subsidiary between 2014 and 2019 or between 2019 and 2021.
More than 3.3 million customers of German automobile maker Volkswagen and its luxury car subsidiary Audi suffered from a data breach for more than two years, the company said.
2021
Volkswagen announces recall plan for imported Beetle vehicles in China
Recall announced
Volkswagen (China) Sales Co. filed a recall plan with China's market regulator for 30,687 imported 2012–2014 Beetle vehicles, with the recall scheduled to begin on October 15, 2021. The affected driver's frontal airbags may rupture and send fragments into the vehicle; the company said authorized dealers would replace them free of charge.
Stated objective. 消除安全隐患。
Company response
Remediation — Volkswagen
大众汽车（中国）销售有限公司将委托授权经销商，免费为召回范围内的车辆更换改进后的驾驶员正面安全气囊，以消除安全隐患。
Source excerpt
在车辆使用较长时间后，如果驾驶员正面安全气囊在碰撞事故中被触发展开，气体发生器可能发生异常破损，导致碎片飞出，伤及车内人员，存在安全隐患。
大众汽车（中国）销售有限公司将委托授权经销商，免费为召回范围内的车辆更换改进后的驾驶员正面安全气囊，以消除安全隐患。
6月3日消息，从国家市场监管总局网站了解到，日前，大众汽车(中国)销售有限公司向国家市场监督管理总局备案了召回计划。计划决定自2021年10月15日起，召回2012年4月24日至2014年7月3日期间生产的部分2012-2014款进口甲壳虫系列汽车，共计30687辆。
2020
Criticism concerning the Xinjiang facility
Volkswagen’s operations and investment in Xinjiang attracted scrutiny and human-rights criticism. Company representatives disputed allegations of forced labor at the facility, while the issue remained part of wider public and political debate about supply chains and corporate responsibility in China.
2020
Volkswagen recalls nearly 107,000 vehicles sold under Audi
Recall announced
Volkswagen recalled nearly 107,000 older vehicles sold under its Audi luxury brand because Takata driver's air bag inflators may malfunction or hurl shrapnel in a crash. The article states that the problem has led to at least one death. The recall concerns vehicles sold under the Audi brand and centers on the Takata driver's air bag inflators.
Volkswagen is recalling nearly 107,000 older vehicles sold under its Audi luxury brand because Takata driver's air bag inflators may malfunction or hurl shrapnel in a crash. The article says the problem has led to at least one death.
Company response
Remediation — Audi
“Audi is working intensively on a remedy with the supplier but currently it is unclear when the remedy will be available,” the automaker said in government documents.
Source excerpt
The new problem has led to at least one death.
2020
UK court rules Volkswagen liable in Dieselgate class lawsuit
Ruling
The High Court in London ruled that Volkswagen was liable in Britain in a case concerning defeat devices installed in about 1.2 million diesel vehicles. The court found the devices subverted EU emissions tests; compensation for owners was to be determined later.
Company response
Denial — Volkswagen
"While Volkswagen is disappointed that the outcome was not in our favour, the judgement relates only to preliminary issues," it said in a statement.
Source excerpt
Following adverse rulings and compensation payouts elsewhere, the High Court in London ruled that the German auto giant was liable in Britain, too.
The court found the devices were a "fundamental subversion" of European Union tests designed to limit noxious pollutants, and will rule later on compensation to the owners.
"While Volkswagen is disappointed that the outcome was not in our favour, the judgement relates only to preliminary issues," it said in a statement.
2020
Volkswagen responds to backlash over advert
Company response
In May 2020, Volkswagen responded to online criticism of an advertisement that was described as racist. The company called the advert tasteless, withdrew it, and stated that there would be consequences. The response followed public backlash over the ad's content.
After the advert was criticized online as racist, Volkswagen called it tasteless, pulled it, and said there would be consequences.
Company response
Remediation — Volkswagen
Volkswagen has since pulled the advert
Clarification — Volkswagen
The German car giant said the advert was 'tasteless' after it was slammed online.
Source excerpt
Germany's Volkswagen has pulled a social media ad for a new car and apologized after an outcry over its racist overtones.
VW issued a separate statement on Wednesday, apologizing for the video and saying it was looking into what happened.
The German car giant said the advert was 'tasteless' after it was slammed online. Volkswagen has since pulled the advert and said 'there will be consequences'.
2020
Volkswagen Malaysia recalls 12,732 vehicles for gearbox inspection
Recall announced
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia issued a voluntary recall covering 12,732 identified vehicles produced between 2011 and 2015. The inspection is intended to address the hydraulic pressure accumulator in the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which was affected by a production deviation; the source says component failure could possibly cause pressure loss and interrupt power transmission.
Stated objective. Fix the hydraulic pressure accumulator within the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Company response
Recall — Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
VOLKSWAGEN Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has issued a voluntary recall on models produced between 2011 and 2015 to fix the hydraulic pressure accumulator within the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, caused by a production deviation.
Source excerpt
In a statement today, VPCM said 12,732 Volkswagen vehicles have been identified to undergo inspection under the recall.
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 — Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has issued a voluntary recall on models produced between 2011 and 2015 to fix the hydraulic pressure accumulator within the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, caused by a production deviation.
VOLKSWAGEN Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has issued a voluntary recall on models produced between 2011 and 2015 to fix the hydraulic pressure accumulator within the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, caused by a production deviation.
2020
Jaguar Land Rover files patent lawsuits over Terrain Response technology
Lawsuit filed
Jaguar Land Rover alleged that products from Lamborghini, Volkswagen, and Audi infringed its Terrain Response system patent. It filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission and federal lawsuits in New Jersey and Delaware seeking compensation from Volkswagen Group.
Stated objective. Jaguar Land Rover said it sought to protect itself and its U.S. business from products it alleged infringed its patent.
Source excerpt
借此，捷豹路虎向美国国际贸易委员会提出诉讼。该委员会不能给出赔偿或罚款的判决，但可以下令大众停止向美国进口侵权车型，这类调查通常会在15到18个月内得出结论。同时，捷豹路虎已在新泽西州和特拉华州地方法院提起联邦诉讼，要求大众集团赔偿。
在美国国际贸易委员会（华盛顿）337-3508号《某些车辆控制系统案》的申请中，捷豹路虎认为兰博基尼、大众和奥迪的产品侵犯了捷豹路虎“Terrain Response®全地形反馈适应系统”的专利。
This week, Volkswagen AG’s U.S. entity and its Audi brand were hit with a class action for a data breach that allegedly compromised 3.3 million consumers’ personal information.
2020
Volkswagen among four automakers in China vehicle recall
Recall announced
In December 2020, Jaguar Land Rover, Infiniti, BMW and Volkswagen announced vehicle recalls in China covering a total of 41,272 vehicles. The notices cited hazards including electrical faults, possible fire or fuel leakage, and a roof spoiler that could detach. The announcements stated that the affected vehicles would receive free repairs or replacement parts.
Company response
Remediation — Jaguar Land Rover
对此，公司将免费为召回范围内车辆安装一个新的蓄电池接地螺栓，以消除安全隐患。
Remediation — Infiniti
公司将对召回范围内的车辆免费更换改善后的传动轴，以消除安全隐患。
Remediation — BMW
公司将为召回范围内的车辆免费更换生产工艺改进后的燃油箱，以消除安全隐患。
Remediation — Volkswagen
公司将免费为召回范围内的车辆加装车顶扰流板固定螺栓，以消除安全隐患。
Source excerpt
具体来看，有7044辆进口路虎发现的召回原因为“制造工艺问题，车辆蓄电池的接地螺栓可能受损，导致蓄电池接地螺栓与底盘接地不良。极端情况下可能出现车辆电力中断，造成车辆无法启动或车辆行驶中发动机熄火并影响转向助力、制动助力等功能，存在安全隐患 ”。
宝马宣布自2020年12月11日起召回6辆进口Z4，原因是车辆的燃油箱在生产流程中冷焊工艺未达到标准，导致燃油箱上半部分和下半部分之间的焊接不牢固。
大众则针对2020年5月22日发布的召回，扩大召回6辆进口途威系列汽车。原因是车辆由于工厂整备工序对安装车顶扰流板的作业指导不充分(温度、时间、清洁度等)，还可能使用了不恰当的接合剂，造成车顶扰流板可能从车身脱落。