Clearwater, FL — Safety Alert: Volkswagen ID.4 Electric Vehicles Recalled Over Battery Fire and Power Loss Risks

Clearwater, FL (January 28th, 2026) – Volkswagen has issued multiple safety recalls affecting more than 44,000 ID.4 electric vehicles across the United States due to serious concerns about battery fires and sudden power loss while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced two separate recalls: one covering 43,881 model year 2023-2025 ID.4 vehicles for software-related battery overheating issues, and another affecting 670 model year 2023-2024 vehicles with defective battery cells containing misaligned electrodes that could cause fires or unexpected loss of propulsion on Florida roads, including highways around Clearwater and throughout the Tampa Bay area.

The recalls address critical safety defects in the vehicle’s high-voltage battery system that could leave drivers stranded or cause fires that endanger vehicle occupants and surrounding motorists. For Florida residents who rely on their ID.4 for daily commuting along corridors like U.S. Highway 19 or the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Clearwater, the sudden loss of power poses significant accident risks. 

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a vehicle defect or experienced losses from a defective product, Light & Wyatt Law Group can help. Call (727) 499-9900to discuss your legal options with an experienced product liability attorney.

What’s Wrong With the Volkswagen ID.4 Battery System?

The recalls stem from two distinct battery-related defects affecting different populations of ID.4 vehicles. The larger recall, involving 43,881 vehicles, addresses the absence of Self-Discharge Detection (SDD) software that monitors battery health and prevents overheating. Without this critical software, the high-voltage battery may experience thermal propagation, potentially leading to fire.

The second recall affects 670 vehicles with manufacturing defects in specific battery cell modules supplied by SK Battery America. According to NHTSA documents, certain cells within these modules contain misaligned electrodes caused by quality deviations during production. These misaligned electrodes create internal short circuits that can cause the battery to overheat, manifesting in two dangerous ways: abrupt loss of drive power without warning, or thermal events that could lead to fire.

Pattern of Battery Fires and Power Loss Incidents

Volkswagen identified the misaligned electrode problem after receiving field reports of battery-related failures and fires beginning in January 2024. The automaker confirmed that defective cells could trigger a sudden and complete loss of propulsion, leaving drivers without power to accelerate or maintain speed. In traffic-heavy areas like Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard or Ulmerton Road in Clearwater, such failures could result in rear-end collisions or accidents as drivers lose control of their vehicles.

Additionally, the battery defects create fire risk even when vehicles are parked. Thermal runaway, a chain reaction where overheating in one cell spreads to adjacent cells, can occur, potentially igniting the entire battery pack. This presents dangers not only to vehicle owners but also to anyone near the parked vehicle, including residents of Clearwater apartment complexes, shopping center parking lots, or residential garages. Between January and December 2024, multiple ID.4 vehicles experienced thermal events in Illinois, California, Utah, and Colorado while parked, driving, or charging.

Injuries and Losses Associated with Defective EV Batteries

The consequences of defective electric vehicle batteries extend far beyond inconvenience. When battery systems fail, whether through fire or sudden power loss, the results can be catastrophic for vehicle occupants and bystanders. Understanding the full scope of potential harm helps affected individuals recognize when they may have valid legal claims for compensation.

Physical Harm from Battery Fires

Battery fires in electric vehicles burn at extremely high temperatures and can be difficult to extinguish, often requiring specialized firefighting techniques and massive amounts of water. Occupants may suffer severe burn injuries, smoke inhalation, or trauma from attempting to evacuate a burning vehicle. Passengers, particularly children or elderly individuals who may have difficulty exiting quickly, face heightened risks.

Collision Risks from Sudden Power Loss

Sudden power loss while driving presents equally serious hazards. When an electric vehicle loses propulsion unexpectedly on a busy Florida highway, drivers may be unable to safely maneuver to the shoulder. The resulting loss of control can lead to multi-vehicle collisions, causing injuries ranging from whiplash and fractures to traumatic brain injuries and spinal damage.

Product Liability and Manufacturer Responsibility in Florida

Under Florida product liability law, manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure their products are safe for their intended use. When a defect in design, manufacturing, or warning causes injury or property damage, the manufacturer may be held liable for resulting harm.

Product liability claims in Florida generally fall into three categories: manufacturing defects, design defects, and failure to warn. The ID.4 battery issues appear to involve both manufacturing defects and potential design defects. The misaligned electrode problem resulted from quality deviations during SK Battery America’s production process, representing a manufacturing defect where individual battery cells deviated from intended specifications. The software-related recall raises questions about whether the original vehicle design adequately incorporated necessary safety monitoring systems.

Manufacturer Obligations and Potential Liability

If the battery contamination and quality control failures resulted from inadequate manufacturing processes or inspection protocols, both Volkswagen and its supplier could be held responsible for injuries and losses stemming from the defects. Manufacturers have an obligation to implement rigorous testing procedures to identify such problems before vehicles reach consumers.

Furthermore, Volkswagen became aware of the first thermal event in January 2024, yet the formal recall was not finalized until November 2025—nearly two years later. After multiple fires occurred throughout 2024 in various states, questions arise regarding the company’s timeline for notifying customers and implementing corrective measures. Delays in addressing known safety defects can support claims that a manufacturer failed to act reasonably to protect consumers from harm.

Financial Recovery for Defective Product Injuries

Victims injured by defective vehicles may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as knowing concealment of a dangerous defect or unreasonable delays in addressing reported safety issues, Florida law may allow for punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar future conduct.

Light & Wyatt Law Group has extensive experience representing clients in product liability cases against major manufacturers. If you’ve been injured or suffered losses due to the Volkswagen ID.4 battery defects, we’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (727) 499-9900 for a free consultation today.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association