Volkswagen Recalls Car Units Found with Flammable Interior Materials, Blames Fabric Supplier

Nov 30, 2023 04:04 AM EST

RED VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — (Photo : PEXELS/Ahmad Ramadan)

This wide recall is due to flammable interior materials. These vehicles' roller sunshades' material may not always fulfill FMVSS 302 performance specifications.This recall pertains to ID.4 electric crossovers manufactured during the years 2023 and 2024, equipped with a fabric roller shade designed for the panoramic roof.

Who's or What is to Blame

As reported in Motorcycle Sports US, the material used in this sunshade, while not meeting the requisite fire retardancy levels specified in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Book, "Flammability of Interior Materials," has raised safety concerns. Currently, Volkswagen discovered this issue through internal testing, and no complaints or injuries have been reported.

The fabric burned faster than expected, increasing the risk of quick combustion in a car fire. Volkswagen stressed that fabric suppliers should be responsible for testing the flammability of their materials.

Volkswagen's Solution

Interestingly, as part of the recall, Volkswagen has made a significant change in the orientation of the roller sunshade. Initially, the sunshade was installed with its outside surface facing outward, but it has now been reversed so that the exterior surface faces the inside of the car.

This established car manufacturer claims "consistently better performance" in fire safety tests since this change. It informs everyone that these tests are essential to provide precise and reliable findings, protecting car occupants and reducing fire hazards.

Owners of affected ID.4 vehicles are urged to take immediate action. Volkswagen plans to notify owners through letters, starting from January 5, 2024.

Meanwhile, TESLARATI shared that the problem will be resolved at no cost, with dealers applying a flame-resistant fabric treatment to the roller sunshade material.

Furthermore, Volkswagen stated that there's no need for alarm; the sunroof shade won't spontaneously catch fire. In the event of a fire, any interior material that lacks proper fire retardant properties will simply add to the combustible materials.

Applying fire retardant to specific interior materials reduces the potential for items to ignite, or at least makes them less prone to burning easily, thus restricting the extent of a fire.

Fortunately, resolving this issue is a straightforward process. All 23,883 affected ID.4 owners can visit their nearest VW dealership to have fire retardant applied to the sunroof shade at no expense.

Any ID.4 manufactured on or after August 1, 2023, will not require this recall. Volkswagen has already addressed the sunshade roller issue by reconfiguring the material to ensure proper fire protection.

There have been several ID.4 recalls. In April, two recalls addressed problems with doors unexpectedly opening while driving and engine stalling. Additionally, a recall in January resolved a 12-volt battery issue that had the potential to lead to a fire. Autobody News reported.

Facts about Volkswagen

Here are some facts not everyone knows about VW. Hall Volkswagen shared details about this famous automobile.

1.Hitler founded Volkswagen in 1937, building a city for the factory and its workers.

2. The first Volkswagen Beetle sold over 21.5 million units in the 20th century.

3. Volkswagen also owns Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, and Bentley.

4. Volkswagen sold more than a third of German cars and one in ten worldwide in 2014.

5. Volkswagen led worldwide auto sales by 2015. Additionally, with an employee count nearing 600,000 as of 2015, it ranked among the world's largest employers.