Scope of the recall

Volkswagen is recalling nearly 72,700 electric vehicles worldwide because some high-voltage battery cells do not meet the group's quality requirements. The figure comes from data published on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). In Germany, the three recalls together cover about 10,000 vehicles. Most affected cars are ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz models, alongside the Cupra Born built by the Spanish Volkswagen subsidiary Cupra.

Le Soir reported a worldwide total of close to 72,200, slightly below the 72,700 cited by most other outlets. Der Standard put the Austrian share at about 850 vehicles. The build periods differ by model: the ID. family cars were built between 2022 and 2025, while the Cupra Born dates from 2022 to 2024.

Cause and risk

Volkswagen said its internal quality checks found that some high-voltage battery cells in certain vehicles fell short of quality requirements. The company blames a manufacturing defect at its suppliers, affecting batteries produced within a limited period. Such a fault can, in rare cases, increase thermal stress on the battery, and in extreme cases a fire could start. The group put it this way:

“In rare cases, this can lead to increased thermal stress on these batteries; in extreme cases, a fire could break out.”

According to the KBA, no incidents involving property damage or injuries were initially known. Reports of a planned battery recall had already surfaced in the week of 12 October, ahead of the official figures.

Interim measures for owners

Until a workshop inspects the batteries, owners are asked to charge affected vehicles to no more than 80% and to attach warning stickers. Where the technology allows, the vehicle system limits available charging capacity by itself, and that cap is lifted only once a battery is judged safe. Affected owners will be contacted by letter, which is to set out the procedure and the contact persons. Anyone who does not want to wait for the letter can check the KBA recall database to see whether their car is covered. A Volkswagen spokesperson had previously said the affected battery modules need not necessarily be replaced, and a software update could be enough.

Earlier recalls this year

The battery problem is not the first recall of 2026 for the group. In March, Volkswagen and Cupra recalled more than 90,000 vehicles worldwide for battery issues, 28,000 of them in Germany. In late September, Volkswagen called back just over five million vehicles worldwide over a corroded screw in the steering system, which in individual cases can impair how the steering is attached and therefore its function. In Germany, that steering recall covers nearly 1.4 million vehicles from Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda.

March 2026 battery recall (more than 90,000)90,000

Late September 2026 steering recall (just over 5 million)5,000,000

October 2026 battery recall (nearly 72,700)72,700

March 2026 battery recall (more than 90,000)

90000 vehicles

Late September 2026 steering recall (just over 5 million)

5000000 vehicles

October 2026 battery recall (nearly 72,700)

72700 vehicles

Data from the article text