June 2, 2026 — A class action lawsuit has emerged following Volkswagen's recall of ID.4 batteries in certain models from 2023 to 2025.

The lawsuit was brought by Timothy Y. Chen and Robert Warren, who argue that tens of thousands of SUVs continue to have defects even after recall notices went out.

The filing came after Volkswagen conducted two limited battery recalls and then a broader one covering nearly 44,000 vehicles in January 2026.

The Volkswagen ID.4 Battery Recall

Volkswagen first learned of an ID.4 battery fire during Level 3 DC charging back in January 2024. The company could not pinpoint the exact cause of the thermal incident but confirmed it originated inside the high-voltage battery pack.

Additional fires were later reported, including some that happened while vehicles sat parked without charging. Other thermal events took place during normal driving.

Under the recall, owners of 2023-2025 ID.4 models were advised to park outdoors, limit battery charge to 80 percent, avoid overnight charging, and refrain from using Level 3 DC chargers until repairs were completed.

Battery supplier SK Battery America identified two manufacturing issues tied to misaligned electrodes inside the cells.

Scans and battery teardowns revealed damaged cells with shifted electrodes. Volkswagen could identify vehicles with misaligned cathodes, yet the supplier later discovered a second production-related hardware problem that might cause another type of electrode shift.

Volkswagen indicated that a software update might have provided earlier detection.

"Despite not having a clear root cause for these incidents, there is data that indicates that self-discharge detection (SDD) software would have triggered a warning in advance of at least three (3) known incidents." — VW

The recall of nearly 44,000 SUVs required inspection of batteries lacking the detection software, with faulty cell modules slated for replacement.

Recall notification letters were sent to owners in March.

The class action was brought by two California residents.

Plaintiff Timothy Y. Chen leased a 2025 ID.4 while Robert Warren leased a 2023 model. Both state they cannot operate their vehicles as intended because of the 80 percent charge limit and overnight charging ban.

They further note that the inability to use Level 3 DC fast chargers substantially extends charging times.

"Without access to the fast charger, using an 11 kW Level 2 charger would take 6 hours and 15 minutes to 7 hours and 30 minutes to fully charge the 2023 VW ID.4." — VW ID.4 class action lawsuit

The complaint asserts that Volkswagen's advertising did not reflect real-world performance after the recall restrictions took effect.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey under the name Timothy Y. Chen, et al., v. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Plaintiffs are represented by Carella Byrne Cecchi Brody Agnello, P.C., and Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP.