2023 Volkswagen ID.4: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Acceleration, Airbags · CA · crash

7/14/26 my wife attempted to park our 2023 VW ID.4 Pro S AWD. She pulled into the spot with two hands on the steering wheel, her foot off of the accelerator, with the car being slowed by regenerative braking, and the car suddenly accelerated and crashed through a fence and hit a cement barrier. The air bags did not deploy. After the accident that most likely totaled the car, my wife's foot was on the brake. The two challenges we noted were 1. The car should have not accelerated on its own and 2. The air bags should have deployed given the violence of this crash.

Filed May 17, 2026 · Driver assistance · DC · crash

While entering a parking lot at a low speed, with my foot already firmly applied to the brake due to the close proximity of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own unexpectedly. Despite continuous pressure on the brake pedal, the vehicle proceeded forward, struck another parked vehicle, and continued moving for approximately two additional seconds before coming to a stop on its own. Additionally, no forward collision/crash warning alert was activated prior to impact, and the airbags did not deploy during the collision.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · FL · crash

On the day of the incident, I was driving my vehicle at a very low speed while approaching a red traffic light. I applied the brakes normally behind another vehicle that was already stopped. It should be noted that it had rained earlier and the road surface was wet. After stopping, the vehicle’s “Auto Hold” or automatic brake hold system activated properly, as it normally does when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. However, unexpectedly, the vehicle accelerated on its own. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes in order to avoid a collision, but I was unable to stop the vehicle in time, resulting in a minor impact with the vehicle in front of me. I believe there may have been a mechanical or electronic malfunction related to the vehicle’s acceleration, braking, or automatic assistance system. I cannot identify with certainty the exact component that failed; therefore, the specific cause is UNKNOWN at this time. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request. The situation placed both my safety and the safety of the other driver at risk, as the vehicle moved unexpectedly despite previously being stopped with the brake hold system engaged. At this time, the issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealership or independent repair shop. I am also not aware of any technical inspection performed by the manufacturer. However, the incident was reported to the appropriate insurance company. Before the incident, I did not observe any warning lights, dashboard messages, or obvious signs of a mechanical or electronic problem. The sudden acceleration occurred unexpectedly and without prior warning. The collision was minor. The airbags did not deploy, and neither I nor the other driver suffered physical injuries. However, both vehicles sustained property damage, especially my vehicle, which suffered visible front-end damage because several exterior components are made of low-resistance plastic material.

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Driver assistance · WA · crash

UNKNOWN -- I was turning 90 deg from the street into my 30' driveway, going very slow as usual with foot on brake pedal to slow further before entering the garage (the door had just finished lifting). But as I was straightening the steering coming out of turn, the car suddenly accelerated, brakes and steering both were unresponsive and the car smashed into the garage. Slowed further by the impact, the car caromed into the garage stairs smashing them to pieces before coming to rest against the rear garage wall after I hit the OFF button (it's an EV). There was no alert from the onboard systems of a pending crash and the air bags did NOT deploy. I was uninjured. Posting my accident on a social media owners group, other owners have had similar experience of the electronics going out while driving. The car remains at a 45 deg angle inside the garage now 6 days later awaiting the insurance company to come and extricate it for their assessment of the damage to the car.

Filed Oct 16, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · WA · crash

On October 04/2025 The vehicle was parked and stationary when it suddenly accelerated forward on its own. The brakes were completely unresponsive. I had a passenger in the front seat, and both she and I are certain that I was pressing the brake, but the car did not slow down at all. Within a few seconds, the vehicle gained speed, and I lost control. There was no space to maneuver, and I could do nothing but brace myself against the seat and watch my rear passengers. The vehicle continued forward and crashed into a tree directly in front, causing damage to the right side of the bumper, and a large rock in front also received the impact. The airbags did not deploy. The two rear passengers struck their heads during the impact and sustained bumps, and my dog was also affected in the collision.This accident occurred despite the car having a recent annual inspection and software update. The sudden acceleration is not the only issue I have experienced with this vehicle. I have had additional safety concerns. The doors would lock, unlock and open by themselves while driving on the freeway. On May 2024, my dog was trapped inside when the doors locked automatically with my keys inside the car. I had to ask a police official in my neighborhood for a phone to call roadside assistance, and it took several hours to get my dog out of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · 26,000 miles · OH · crash

The contact owns a 2023 Volkswagen ID-4. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space at barely 2 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the rear of a building. The contact stated that while reversing from the scene, the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to stop upon depressing the brake pedal and was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a big concrete and iron post and stopped. A nearby auto body shop technician informed the contact that the vehicle was a total loss. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the automatic emergency braking system failed to engage as designed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed, but the contact did not have the police report information available. The vehicle was towed to the police impound lot. The insurance company then towed the vehicle to IAA, a salvage vehicle auction lot, but the insurance company had not confirmed that the vehicle was a total loss. There was was property damage. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Driver assistance · 200 miles · CA · crash

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.

Filed Apr 14, 2023 · Driver assistance · FL · crash

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).

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · OR · crash · 1 injury

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.