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Volkswagen ID.4 key fob problems

16 of the 1,033 owner complaints about the Volkswagen ID.4 describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2023 model year.

owner complaints
16
worst model year
2023
Is there a fix? There are 9 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2023
    8
  • 2022
    4
  • 2021
    3

What owners say

Filed May 24, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · CA

Recurring Defects – 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S Vehicle * Year/Model: Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S * Ongoing recurring defects across software, electrical, interior, safety, and mechanical systems. Aesthetic / Interior Defects Interior Trim and Structural Noises * Fading light bar panel. * Excessive interior plastic creaking during cold weather. * Roof creaking noises in cold temperatures. Software / Electrical / Safety Defects Infotainment System Failures * Infotainment center becomes laggy or unresponsive. * Touchscreen and touch-sensitive buttons frequently fail to respond. * Infotainment screen intermittently shuts down completely and remains black until the vehicle is powered off and restarted. Door Locking / Unlocking Malfunctions * Doors unlock randomly while driving. * Vehicle locks itself while key fob remains inside vehicle. * Trunk may remain unlocked while doors lock. Seatbelt Detection and Warning System Failures * Rear passenger seatbelt warning light activates while passenger is properly restrained. * Warning light cycles on and off intermittently while passenger remains buckled. * Rear seatbelt sensor eventually stopped functioning entirely. * Driver seatbelt warning now intermittently activates while driving at freeway speeds despite seatbelt being engaged. * Audible seatbelt alarm activates randomly while driving. Major Electrical System Failure While Driving Incident occurred while: * Driving uphill at approximately 35 mph. * Sitting stopped at a traffic light on city streets. Symptoms included: * All dashboard warning lights illuminated simultaneously. * Horn activated repeatedly (“beep beep beep”). * Hazard lights activated without driver input. * Turn signal sounds activated unexpectedly. * Event lasted approximately 2–3 minutes. * Vehicle then emitted a power-down sound. * Entire system shut off and later resumed normal operation. Navigation / Connectivity Failures * Satellite/navigation system unable to locate vehicle. * Maps and connected navigati

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · TX

The car is unlocking itself without anyone using the key fob or the app to unlock it. This puts us at risk for someone breaking into our car and stealing it, or worse waiting in the car to carjack us. We have 3 videos to document this as well and several times it wasn’t caught on video. The infotainment system has also been fully rebooting itself while driving, which has happened 3 times in the past week alone. When it reboots we lose access to navigation, climate control, and the regular speedometer view

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Electrical · NV

Third time that the key fob was not found. Prior 2 times I was stationary. Third time I was in transit as the key fob was not detected. 30 seconds later the error message went away. Prior the car would not work or start without key fob detected. Concerning that the key fob would stop operation in the middle of the road as it has refused to operate for me in the past. 2nd time this happened, it forced me to uber back home to fetch another FOB, which did not resolve the issue. Not only did this cost me 1+ hour of time, I do not believe its a battery issue in the FOB. Both FOB are less than 10 months old. 2nd FOB did not work as well. Eventually the key was detected after some amount waiting period.

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · OR

I am writing to complain that VW has not offered any assistance or solution to the electronic software failure noted in the federal safety agency Recall # 24V344. I have been experiencing software and electrical failures that affect the center and dashboard displays. I have no speedometer or rearview camera display, no warning systems, no cruise control, etc. Also, the car periodically locks itself and won't allow me to enter the car with the key fob, and I have to leave the window open to open the car manually. The lack of a dashboard display of speed is dangerous. I brought the car to VW dealer who reset the software and that fixed the problem for one month and then the problems returned. VW claims it is a software problem but has not offered any software updates or repairs since it was first published as a recall in May 2024. My car is too dangerous to drive when this software failure occurs--which sometimes happens while driving nd immediately affects the drivability and safe operation of the car. When it happens, nearly all the warning lights and messages start blinking and cycling while driving. We need help with putting pressure on VW to offer a solution and repair of this serious operational issue.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 5,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2022 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that there was a message to update the software displayed. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle came to a complete stop. While driving at various speeds, the camera and the infotainment screen were inoperable. The vehicle failed to start as needed. While the vehicle was idling, all the doors were locked, with the contact holding a key fob. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V344000 (Back Over Prevention, Equipment, Electric System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Electrical · WA

Intermittent problem since purchasing the car in September 2021: if child safety lock is engaged when parking the car and the doors are otherwise unlocked, upon exiting the car, the rear doors will not open from the outside. Clicking unlock on the key FOB won't unlock the doors. I need to power the car on again and deactivate the lock from within the car. Earliest occurrence was in October 2021.

Filed Jan 25, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · OR

Driver car door intermittently pops open, while driving, when stopped, and when parked (not occupied). Car door locks intermittently stop working, meaning passengers cannot enter from outside, cannot open door from inside, doors do not unlock when key fob approaches. Also when this is happening, charge port shorts ie. disconnects/connects. When these issues are happening, defogger runs intermittently when parked, unless I enter car to manually turn off heating system. Turning off defogger with app does not stop defogging even when it says "off" in app. Seems tons of water is down in door... If the car is dry, if I roll the windows down then up, windows are COVERED with water. At times, front windows go down when trying to roll them up. Not safety, but internal ambient lighting system has two colors, one for dash, one for door lights. Door light color selection does not work, and doors only will show color of dash color selection.

Filed Dec 30, 2023 · VA

When I was driving, I stopped at a traffic light. When the light turned green and I pressed the accelerator, many warning lights turned on and the vehicle did not go forward. After about 15 minutes, I was able to turn off the car and restart it again and move forward. At the next red light, the same problem happened again. After another 15 minutes, I was able to again turn off the car and restart it to get to a parking lot, where it had to be towed to the dealership for service. This was a safety concern because I was stuck in traffic as other cars were in motion around me during morning rush hour. I had to get out of my car to turn it off and back on from my key fob. VW diagnosed the problem as a broken motor. Since my car is electric, it does not have an engine, so the motor is in place of the engine. This happened Sept 6, 2023. VW has still not fixed the car. I tried to upload the "pre-work order" from the service department, which is all I have since the repair invoice is not complete yet, but the upload function on this website is not working for me. I am reporting this in case it is not an isolated incident; if this is not just a lemon of a vehicle, then I am concerned for the safety of other drivers and passengers.

Filed Dec 11, 2023 · Electrical · FL

The vehicle does not get 275 range fully charged as window sticker states. New vehicle with 600 miles on it only gets 242 range when fully charged. The vehicle is over stated to boost sales. You cannot lock the vehicle in any way, shape, or form unless you have the key fob. if you forget to lock your car, you cannot ask someone to lock it for you without a key. The car cannot be locked from interior door like a traditional door. Huge safety issue. To make it worse, the vehicle cannot be locked from the App like Volkswagen advertised. Scam all around.

Filed Oct 1, 2023 · Electrical · NJ

A few minutes after charging at an Electrify America location (JFK cell phone lot) I had to step out of the vehicle. Suddenly all sensors stopped working, I was locked out, key fob doesn't work, manual key didn't work either, truck locked out. Car would not connect to the app. I smell something burning but lightened after a few minutes. After 20 minutes of struggle, miraculously I got one door open and drove home. Speedometer stopped working on the way back and I cannot get the car to stop, ac would not turn off either on its own. I am trying to get a service appointment as soon as I can with my dealership.

Related recalls

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryReported September 30, 2026 · 22,524 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2026 ID.4 vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail and lead to a vehicle fire.
Risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed November 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93EX. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on October 6, 2026.

Recall number 26V630000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryReported January 21, 2026 · 43,881 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 ID.4 vehicles. The high-voltage battery may overheat.
Risk
A high-voltage battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the high-voltage battery software, and replace the high-voltage battery, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 18, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93EA. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on January 23, 2026.

Recall number 26V030000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryReported January 21, 2026 · 670 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. The high voltage (HV) battery cell modules may contain misaligned electrodes that can result in a battery fire.
Risk
A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging indoors overnight until the recall repair is complete. Also, owners are advised not to use Level 3 DC chargers and to limit the maximum charge of the battery to 80% until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery cell modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 18, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93EW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on January 23, 2026.

Recall number 26V028000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryReported December 3, 2025 · 629 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. The high voltage (HV) battery cell modules may contain misaligned electrodes that can result in a battery fire.
Risk
A vehicle fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging indoors overnight until the recall repair is complete. Also, owners are advised not to use Level 3 DC chargers and to limit the maximum charge of the battery to 80% until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery cell modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 11, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93EV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on December 5, 2025.

Recall number 25V836000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: dc/dc converterReported February 28, 2025 · 13,769 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 AUDI Q4 E-Tron SUV, AUDI Q4 E-Tron Sportback, and 2024 ID.4 vehicles. The on-board charger (OCDC) may fail and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the OCDC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298 or Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 93CJ. Audi's number for this recall is 93FR.

Recall number 25V125000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm): softwareReported February 1, 2023 · 20,904 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 ID.4 vehicles. Software programing may cause the high voltage (HV) battery management control module to restart or the pulse inverter to deactivate.
Risk
A reset or deactivation may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the HV battery management control unit and the pulse inverter control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97ZZ.

Recall number 23V040000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported December 29, 2022 · 1,042 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 ID4 rear-wheel drive vehicles. The 12-Volt battery charging cable may contact the steering column shaft and cause the cable insulation to wear, possibly resulting in a short circuit.
Risk
A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. A short circuit also increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect the 12-Volt battery charging cable and repair or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97HA.

Recall number 22V956000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction motorReported November 9, 2022 · 393 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 ID4 vehicles. The electric motor sealing ring was improperly assembled, which may allow coolant to leak into the high-voltage system and interfere with the CAN communication and power supply.
Risk
Coolant that leaks into the high-voltage system may impact safety-critical systems and warning lights, causing a loss of vehicle control or unintended air bag deployment, and increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the electric motor, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 6, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19Q9.

Recall number 22V830000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryReported March 16, 2022 · 356 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 ID4 vehicles. Incorrect soldering of the flexible printed circuit assembled (FPCA), inside the high voltage (HV) battery, may cause an unreliable connection.
Risk
An unreliable battery connection may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the battery cell modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 9302.

Recall number 22V162000 · Recall details

Questions about the Volkswagen ID.4 key fob

Which Volkswagen ID.4 years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2023 (8 complaints), 2022 (4 complaints) and 2021 (3 complaints).

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