2022 Volkswagen ID.4

[XXX] [XXX] September 14, 2025 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Formal Complaint – Safety Defect in 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 (Power Steering and Brake Failure) Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a serious safety defect in my 2022 Volkswagen ID.4, which resulted in a crash and a minor injury to my wife. This defect poses a substantial risk of death or serious injury to the driving public. On [XXX], my wife experienced sudden unintended acceleration, followed immediately by complete loss of braking and steering control. She was unable to avoid leaving the roadway and entered a ditch, sustaining a minor injury. The vehicle suffered fender damage. The vehicle was towed to our authorized Volkswagen dealership. The dealership’s technician documented that the power steering module failed. However, Volkswagen of America subsequently dispatched an engineer, who instructed the dealer not to communicate further with us. Volkswagen headquarters later claimed the power steering module failed only because the vehicle entered the ditch—an explanation directly at odds with the technician’s report and a witness account. Volkswagen has refused to accept responsibility, declined to cover medical or repair costs, and denied replacement of the failed power steering module. Our insurance provider also declined coverage, determining that the accident was caused by a mechanical failure. Legal and Regulatory References 1.49 U.S.C. § 30118 – Motor Vehicle Safety Act Requires manufacturers to notify NHTSA and vehicle owners when they determine a motor vehicle contains a defect related to motor vehicle safety. The failure of the power steering and braking systems clearly qualifies as a “safety-related defect” because it directly compromises steering and stopping ability. 2.49 C.F.R. Part 573 – Defect a INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The automatic cruise control failed and disengage with a sudden braking. After that the following warnings appear: Front assist has limited availability, rear traffic is currently not available, proximity sensors malfunctioning. I took the vehicle to service and diagnostic suggested the replacement of brake booster. Service department recommended a replacement a cost of $2,800 as the vehicle is out of warranty (more than 50K miles), I paid $295 for diagnostic. I currently don't have the funds for repair. Failure of braking system is a serious matter. I am not sure if I should continue driving this car, unfortunately I need it to go to work.

The contact owned a 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 The contact stated while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated causing the vehicle to veer off the road, and control was lost. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a ditch, over a sound barrier, and in the middle of a neighborhood road where it came to a stop. The air bags did deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The driver suffered a mild brain injury, lung injury, and fractured ribs that required medical attention. The driver had an occupant in the vehicle during the failure who was his son and sustained a fractured femur that required surgery, a fractured clavicle, brain damage, and a mild concussion that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The insurance company was currently inspecting the vehicle and pending results. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Was coming to stopped traffic, suddenly car accelerated quickly and rear ended car in front, which then hit 2 cars in front. Event data recorder showed the acceleration; not sure what happened. Car has haptic button for adaptive cruise control and ? Engaged on resume button left side of steering wheel. VW says not a manufacturing defect. Fortunately no injuries - air bags did not deploy.

Oct 9th 23 - My wife pulled into the office parking lot , and as she braked after parking the car. Post braking suddenly she realized the car was morning forward and it hit the car parked in front of her slot. The car being driven in the B mode , so it could recharge. The front bumper and grill were damaged incurring a loss of $ 6,972.76. Fortunately did ot cause ay bodily injury to either me or other people in the parking lot. June 6th 24 - I pulled into the grocery store parking lot, and as i braked and parked the car, i noticed the very same phenomenon , after stopping suddenly i realize that the car went over the curb of the parking lot, hit the car parked next to me and then jumped to the otherside of the road and i had to steer into the next parking lot. Again causing severe damage to my car as well as the car parked next to me. Fortunately there was nobody walking in the parking lot, or no other car that was entering the parking lot, for as the car jumped the curb it could lead to a very fatal accident.

The car has now 3 times over the last year suddenly lurched forward while braking and pulling into a parking spot. The first time it went over a curb and into a yard. We thought it could be a mistake, but my wife, driving, has never had an accident in 40 years driving. Happened again, and we thought maybe it had something to do with cruise control and hepatic sensitive buttons. But we keep that system off unless we are on the highway. This time it lurched forward but she managed to get it to stop just as it touched the parked car in front. No damage. Foot was on the brake as coming to a stop. This car should not be allowed on the road.

When pressing on the brake pedal while while the car is using ACC and slowing down for traffic ahead the car lessons the amount of regenerative braking applied. This dangerous situation occurs whenever added breaking is needed for slowing traffic beyond what the car is automatically applying for ACC. The reduction in vehicle breaking when depressing the pedal makes a collision more likely, and makes the car feel like it's lurching forward.

2/14/23, Longmont Colorado snow storm roads snowcovered. Vehicle in Traction mode, all wheel drive. Exiting an inclined parking lot cars rear end started sliding to left, gently accelerated to correct. Yellow caution lights illuminated for all systems. No advanced driver assistance systems were working. Car was extremely difficult to drive, braking was severely restricted as was acceleration and cornering . I believe the computer system was overloaded, “confused” and shut down. I honestly don’t believe that I could have controlled the vehicle had I been driving any Colorado mountain pass. Managed to drive approximately 3 miles to home, but it was a scary experience. Facebook groups for ID-4, reported that when the computer crashes, to stop car, exit, lock and step away at least 50 feet for 5 minutes to reset. Not practical in a mountain blizzard! It was quite a surprise, as we have taken to snow covered Fair Grounds parking lot to determine how the car accelerates, brakes and turns in snow. Did donuts and figure eights and the computer never freaked out. I was not able to photograph cockpit screen because of conditions. Once key 50 feet away for 5 minutes it reset, again not very practical during a snowstorm had I been on Vail pass.

Was backing into my driveway and the brake pedal went hard and almost backed in to my garage. All kinds of warning starting popping on and a message appeared "Brake Booster is Limited". I only stopped the vehicle by pressing really hard but since I was already moving slow the vehicle came to a stop. If I would have been driving in regular traffic I would have never ben able to stop. Many system lights also came on and the vehicle is not drivable and I will have to get it towed to VW. The vehicle is only a month old with 1200 miles on it.