Volkswagen AG has instructed its dealerships in the US and Canada to cease sales of its ID.4 electric SUV due to concerns that the vehicle's doors could open unexpectedly while in motion, and the automaker does not currently have a solution to the issue. The halt-sale notice, dated April 3, indicates that roughly 18,000 vehicles manufactured at the Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant may have faulty door handles due to water infiltration. According to VW, this can cause doors to open unexpectedly at low speeds.
VW began discussing the issue with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in February after reports emerged of driver and passenger doors opening without warning. The automaker has identified ten ID.4s with self-opening doors made in Chattanooga and has issued a recall. However, as of April 3, a repair for the problem is not yet available. VW is keen to expand its US market share with a range of SUVs and aims to produce more than 25 new electric models in the US by 2030.
Additionally, the automaker is constructing a battery plant in Canada and a new factory in South Carolina to build electric trucks and SUVs under the Scout brand.