The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the United States’ auto safety watchdog, has initiated an investigation into a potential safety concern affecting over 51,000 Volkswagen electric vehicles (EVs). The agency’s move comes in response to a dozen complaints from owners reporting instances of vehicle doors inadvertently opening while their EVs were in motion.
The recall inquiry specifically targets Volkswagen’s ID.4 electric SUV models manufactured between 2021 and 2023. According to the complaints received by the NHTSA, the doors of these vehicles have been reported to open unexpectedly during driving, posing a significant safety risk to occupants and other road users.
While no injuries or fatalities have been directly linked to this issue so far, the NHTSA deems the potential hazard severe enough to warrant a thorough investigation. The agency aims to determine the root cause of the door malfunction and assess the effectiveness of any previous remedial measures taken by Volkswagen.
Notably, the affected ID.4 models were part of an earlier recall initiated by Volkswagen to address water seepage issues related to the vehicle doors. The NHTSA’s current inquiry will evaluate whether the previous recall adequately resolved the door-related problems or if additional measures are required to ensure the safety of these electric SUVs.
Volkswagen, one of the leading automakers in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the NHTSA’s investigation. However, the company is expected to cooperate fully with the federal agency to identify and rectify any potential defects or design flaws that may have contributed to the door-opening incidents.