According to media reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on May 20th that it has begun an investigation into approximately 51,500 Volkswagen electric vehicles sold in the United States due to concerns that the doors may suddenly open while the vehicle is in motion.
NHTSA stated that it has received 12 complaints regarding the ID.4 electric SUVs produced by Volkswagen between 2021 and 2023. Some consumers reported intermittent door openings while driving, which could not be reasonably detected. However, the agency has not received reports of any injuries or fatalities related to this issue.
The agency noted that Volkswagen had previously issued recalls for related vehicles, with the last recall addressing water leakage issues in the doors. NHTSA will investigate the effectiveness of Volkswagen's previous recall to assess the adequacy of remedial measures. Recall inquiries are part of safety investigations, during which NHTSA evaluates the effectiveness and scope of recall remedies as well as other safety issues. It is not a standard step in the typical recall process.
Most of NHTSA's investigations begin with a preliminary assessment, during which the agency's engineers request information from automakers, including data on complaints, injuries, and warranty claims. Automakers may also provide their perspectives on the defects and may initiate recalls themselves.
Following the evaluation, NHTSA may either conclude the investigation or proceed to the next stage. If safety-related defects are identified, the agency may issue a "recall request" letter to the automaker.
