2023 Volkswagen ID.4

While trying to set cruise control, this vehicle has the option of standard cruise or adaptive. There is a toggle button, however, is is so sensitive I am never able to toggle to standard cruise. Naturally I am driving and the toggle will not go to standard. Poor design and super sensitive feature. This is one of many different features that do this. I have found my eyes moving to this to see if I can get standard cruise on and it does not happen. I give up because I do not wan to keep taking my eyes off the road.

I am writing to file a formal complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a critical safety concern with my recently purchased vehicle, a VW ID 4 model from 2021-2023. Vehicle Information: VIN: [XXX] Make: Volkswagen Model: ID 4 Year: 2021-2023 Date of Purchase: January 5th, 2024 Incident Details: On [XXX], I experienced a hazardous incident involving sudden acceleration when releasing the brake pedal as I was coming to a stop and pulling into a parking space. Despite the fact that the pedal was not fully released, the vehicle accelerated forward, colliding with another vehicle at an approximate speed of 40-50 MPH. Shockingly, neither the airbags deployed nor did the safety automatic braking system engage. The incident raised significant safety concerns, especially considering similar reports from other VW ID 4 owners. Actions Taken: I promptly took the vehicle to VW Marin Dealership in San Rafael, CA, where their report claimed no issues with the vehicle. However, further research on my part revealed that this issue is prevalent among VW ID 4 models from 2021 to 2023. Attached to this letter, you will find pictures of both vehicles involved in the incident for your reference. Request for Investigation: I urge the NHTSA to thoroughly investigate this safety issue with VW ID 4 models from 2021-2023. The potential risks associated with sudden acceleration pose a serious threat to the safety of vehicle occupants and others on the road. Identifying and addressing the root cause of this problem is crucial to preventing future accidents and fatalities related to this faulty vehicle behavior. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated, and I trust that the NHTSA will take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all motorists. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 S. The contact stated that while coming to a stop at 7MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated. The contact then attempted to switch lanes but crashed into the vehicle in front at 20mph. The air bag did not deploy. There were no injuries reported. No police report was filed. The vehicle did not display any warning messages. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200.

1. FRONT COLLISION WARNING SENSOR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING. THE FRONT SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT ANYTHING IN THE FRONT WHILE IN DRIVING MODE. COULD BE A SOFTWARE OR SENSOR ISSUE. NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT. 2. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, USUALLY ON THE STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES OFF OR GOES TO THE PARK MODE. IN ORDER TO SWITCH ON THE VEHICLE, I NEED TO STEP OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOCK THE DOORS, THEN UNLOCK THE DOORS, THEN I CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE. TO DRIVE. LOOKS LIKE THERE MUST BE A SOFTWARE ISSUE. NEEDS TO BE CHECKED FOR THE SAFETY AND CONVINCE.

* After parking on a hill (with the car facing uphill) and putting the car in Park, as my wife was gathering her things to exit the car, the car suddenly released from Park and lurched backward, rolling into the parked car behind it. This caused a dent on the back of the ID4, fortunately no damage to the other car. And especially fortunate that no people were hurt. * We called the dealership and also opened a case with VW corporate. Both were very responsive. After a week of running tests, they returned the car to us because they couldn't reproduce the issue and didn't find any error codes through their diagnostics * While driving the car myself, I experienced the issue again in a different context -- I was pulling out of a parking lot, on a downramp waiting to enter the street. As I lifted my foot from the brake preparing to drive into the street, the car lurched backward, up the downramp. Fortunately there was no car behind me and no pedestrians walking by. We reported this to the dealership and VW. They immediately took the car in again and kept it another week. Ultimately one of the techs at the dealership did experience the issue. We have a written report from the dealership that says, "Verified customer concern. Vehicle slightly rolled back before moving forward." (report uploaded) However, neither the dealership nor VW could trace this to an "error code" or a root cause. With confirmation of the issue from the dealer, I formally asked VW to cover the costs of the repair. VW said they would not, because there was no "error code" that pointed to a manufacturing fault. I argued that if we have confirmation that the car is doing something it shouldn't be doing, the fact that VW doesn't know why doesn't mean it's not their responsibility. The car is still potentially very unsafe. * We repaired the car at our expense (invoice uploaded) but I would still like VW to take responsibility for the cost and also ensure the car is safe for us and for others

I was pulling into a parking structure when the left side of the vehicle (door handles, windows, sensors) lost power. I was able to park the vehicle and then have it towed to the dealership. Although it happened at very low speed, my safety was at risk. It would have been very dangerous if this had happened on the freeway. I was unable to open the door or to close the driver window. The dealer found a blown fuse. They have not been able to identify a cause of what would cause a fuse to blow like this. They continue to work on it (we are on day 3 now) including working with VW of America engineering. The two recalls on this vehicle have been address (approx 10 days ago). I have had numerous other problems with this vehicle that I don't believe are related to this particular incident apart from the recall related to the door handles.

Volkswagen Group of America 
2200 Woodland Pointe Avenue
Herndon, VA 20171
(248) To Whom It May Concern RE: ID.4 VIN: [XXX] Unexpected acceleration The above vehicle was involved in an unwarranted accident fortunately only involving vehicles. In a parking lot at rolling speed while turning right into the parking space the vehicle charged ahead full throttle crossing a parking bumper, 8’-0” inch loose dirt, another parking pumper, and still full throttle into a Tesla Y in the opposing parking space. Many including the investigating State Trooper, the body shop working on the vehicle, and numerous internet similar accidents strongly suggested an unsafe condition vs. an unsafe action. We drive a Mazda with the tech equipment, other Tesla’s, etc. and all have the emergency braking benefit. They will not drive themselves into a wall, parked car etc. Additionally the air bags did not deploy - wife’s shoulder was bruised significantly. Understandably, my wife no longer wishes to drive the vehicle which accounts for this letter to you. We would like to return the vehicle for a full refund immediately. Would you please consider the request to return our purchase funds and sales tax. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

I have never been in a car accident in my entire life. This was my first ever electric vehicle, and I really loved driving it for the one week I owned it before the brakes failed to stop it. On 03/31 I had to restart the software several times because it froze when i was trying to connect it to Apple Carplay, but it was fine the next day. During the crash, I had the brake collision assistance on, but unfortunately it did not assist me in trying to stop, even when I pressed down on the brake pedal completely. When I tried to turn the steering wheel, that had locked and I was unable to avoid hitting a sign and curb. The road I had the incident on is the one I take to work every day and I have never had an issue. There was no issues with the weather on that day ether. Not only did the brakes not work but the the brake assist failed, the collision avoidance system, the steering wheel locked, and the airbags failed to deploy. Both my left side tires became flat. If I would have known how unsafe this was, I would have never selected it in the first place. I chose this vehicle because I thought I would be safe and I wanted to save money on gas. I am so extremely terrified to drive this car and the dealership service center claimed there was nothing wrong with the car.