NHTSA complaint #11698608

Owner complaint summary

Subject: Request for Investigation and Recall – Door Handle Failure on Volkswagen Vehicle Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to formally request an investigation and potential recall concerning a serious safety issue with my 2022 ID.4 AWD Pro S Volkswagen vehicle. The problem involves the door handles failing to open from either the inside or outside of the vehicle. I can provide video evidence showing that, while the vehicle is fully unlocked, with no child safety mechanisms engaged and my foot on the brake at a complete stop, the doors cannot be opened from either the front or rear seats. This issue occurs repeatedly—approximately four to five times per week—and has become more frequent since the “919” recall was performed on the vehicle. Despite this, the dealership has stated that the issue is a “non-issue,” claiming that other vehicles of the same model exhibit similar behavior. The inability to open a vehicle door in normal operating conditions is a serious safety concern that could endanger occupants in an emergency situation. Volkswagen’s response minimizes a clear risk to consumer safety. If the software controlling door operation cannot be relied upon to perform such a critical function, it should be removed or replaced with a mechanical mechanism that guarantees the ability to open the door at all times. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate this matter and determine whether a recall or corrective action is warranted. Thank you for your attention to this important safety concern. Please let me know if additional documentation or video evidence would be helpful to your investigation. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S AWD [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)