NHTSA complaint #11687156

Owner complaint summary

[XXX] [XXX] September 14, 2025 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Formal Complaint – Safety Defect in 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 (Power Steering and Brake Failure) Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a serious safety defect in my 2022 Volkswagen ID.4, which resulted in a crash and a minor injury to my wife. This defect poses a substantial risk of death or serious injury to the driving public. On [XXX], my wife experienced sudden unintended acceleration, followed immediately by complete loss of braking and steering control. She was unable to avoid leaving the roadway and entered a ditch, sustaining a minor injury. The vehicle suffered fender damage. The vehicle was towed to our authorized Volkswagen dealership. The dealership’s technician documented that the power steering module failed. However, Volkswagen of America subsequently dispatched an engineer, who instructed the dealer not to communicate further with us. Volkswagen headquarters later claimed the power steering module failed only because the vehicle entered the ditch—an explanation directly at odds with the technician’s report and a witness account. Volkswagen has refused to accept responsibility, declined to cover medical or repair costs, and denied replacement of the failed power steering module. Our insurance provider also declined coverage, determining that the accident was caused by a mechanical failure. Legal and Regulatory References 1.49 U.S.C. § 30118 – Motor Vehicle Safety Act Requires manufacturers to notify NHTSA and vehicle owners when they determine a motor vehicle contains a defect related to motor vehicle safety. The failure of the power steering and braking systems clearly qualifies as a “safety-related defect” because it directly compromises steering and stopping ability. 2.49 C.F.R. Part 573 – Defect a INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)