Volkswagen ID.4 and Audi Q4 E-Tron electric vehicles are being recalled because of an issue with their batteries—their 12-volt batteries, that is.
In the 13,769 recalled vehicles—including a mix of 2024 VW ID.4 and 2024-2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback models—the 12-volt battery may not charge, even when there’s plenty of charge in the high-voltage battery pack, according to the NHTSA. This could prevent cars from starting, as well as lead to loss of power or electronic issues if the 12-volt battery runs out of charge while a vehicle is being driven.
2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron
This can occur even when the 12-volt battery is relatively new, as it’s related to condensation forming within the onboard charger and damaging a printed circuit board due to insufficient protective coating. That can cause the DC/DC converter to fail and prevent the 12-volt battery from charging.
If a fault with the 12-volt battery is detected, “the vehicle will provide several, major warnings to the driver, and the vehicle will experience reduced driving functions,” the NHTSA said.
The remedy is replacement of the onboard charger, which dealers will do free of charge. VW and Audi plan to mail owner notification letters Apr. 29. VW customers can call that brand’s customer service department at 1-800-893-5298 and reference recall number 93CJ. Audi’s customer service department can be reached at 1-800-253-2834, and its reference number for this recall is 93FR.
2024 Volkswagen ID.4
VW just restarted deliveries of the ID.4 after a door-handle issue that led to a stop-sale order and production halt. The 2025 model costs a little bit more, in part because the smaller battery pack is temporarily unavailable, with midyear features coming.
Previous model years of the ID.4 and Q4, which are closely related, have been involved in several other noteworthy recalls, including one for instrument panels and another for screen issues.