2021 Volkswagen Id.4 Brakes Problems
15 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (15)
The stability control actives inappropriately in low speed corners, slowing the car down because it's activating the brakes. This is a known issue on AWD (dual motor) ID.4 and VW dealers have said VW is aware of it and confirmed it on road testing for multiple owners (see below).
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Th contact owned a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH on a freeway, traffic seemed to be slowing down. The contact stated that when he depressed the brake pedal, his vehicle did not respond to the brakes causing his vehicle to crash in the rear of another vehicle.
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We vehicle is stopped in any type of grade (hill, incline, or decline) when releasing the break pedal the vehicle will roll in the direction of the grade, power must be immediately applied to prevent roll. This could potentially cause a crash if a vehicle is behind/in front of another. The system should employ an auto hold type of grade breaking system.
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After installing the latest over-the-air software update few days ago, our car began exhibiting a serious braking issue. When coming to a stop, the brakes lock while the vehicle is still in motion, causing a sudden and dramatic jerk forward. This occurs nearly every time we decelerate to a stop, regardless of speed or road conditions.
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This car was marketed as an easy transition from gasoline powered engines, meaning its braking maneuvers should not have been largely different. However the 2021 electric did not come with auto hold which VW later determined should be added for brake safety reasons. In 2022 VW had a software upgrade and as of Sept.
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I believe Volkswagen has made a recent software change which causes the brakes to malfunction when operating in the rain. The problem began after I had a software update performed by the dealer in January 2025 and manifests itself when slowing down and approaching the last mile or two per hour when stopping, and suddenly the brakes slam on causing the car to come to a jarring stop.
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The brake pedal freezes intermittently when I step on the brake. The sensor is faulty - it flashes red and warns me that the brake isn't working. In autonomous driving mode, it did not detect the vehicle in front of me and didn't slow down.
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While traveling at highway speeds I suddenly got multiple warnings of the parking brake becoming inoperative, Auto Hold Error, and Travel Assist and Cruise Control no longer available. When trying to park the vehicle's parking brake would not engage and a loud warning sound and red warning message with "Do not park vehicle on an incline" came up on the dash.
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When driving using adaptive cruise control and my car decelerating using the regenerative braking, applying the brakes turns off the regenerative braking leaving only the friction brakes to slow/stop the car. I have demonstrated this situation to a VW dealer technician, who has confirmed that another 2021 VW ID4 that was in the shop duplicated this behavior.
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My car is stopped and still due to heavy traffic . All of a sudden, while stopping, it starts moving and rolling away by itself. I try to stop it using the break pedal but it doesn’t stop.
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Electronic Stability Control (ESC) activated over a dozen time un-necessarily on a recent road trip. The activation caused the brake pedal to collapse and caused braking action to be un-even and nearly un-controlled on a windy mountain road. There was no slippage to cause stability control to intervene.
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Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is activating frequently and unexpectedly. Happens on dry roads, under normal and safe driving conditions. ESC is felt as braking one or more wheels, and indicator is flashing on instrument cluster.
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It will not stop! Break don’t work!
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I will not stop!
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It will not stop, can not stop!
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