Several of Volkswagen's electric cars cannot show which gear they are in. And because it is potentially dangerous, 60,000 cars are being recalled.
The Volkswagen importer in the US is recalling approximately 60,000 electric cars.
This is happening because the importer has realized that the cars cannot show which gear they are in.
The fault can cause the cars to roll away if the handbrake is not activated, something that both the brand and the authorities in the US say increases the risk of accidents.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published the information about the cars, which total 60,490 cars.
Including the Volkswagen ID.4 from model year 2021 to 2023 as well as the sister model Audi Q4 e-Tron and Q4 e-Tron Sportback of the same model year.
Petrol and diesel cars are also affected by faults
The defect was discovered in August. But not in the US. Instead, it was reports from abroad and 5 accidents involving 'lobby cars' that prompted the North American importer to recall the cars.
Reuters writes.
According to Volkswagen's American branch, the error is due to a glitch with the software that does not display the gear selector position correctly.
According to the US authorities, it is important that the Volkswagen Group resolves the problem as soon as possible.
The recall comes just days after the group was forced to recall 30,000 cars with defective rearview cameras last month.
In connection with the latest recall, the importer urges all owners of the affected cars to contact their local Audi or Volkswagen workshop.
Here, software updates will be available, for which drivers will not have to pay anything.
Should this happen anyway, or if there are still problems with the cars, NHTSA states that the case has given them reason to keep an eye on Volkswagen, even though the car brand is immediately cooperating with the authority in the specific case.
Recalls are nothing new in the automotive world. Last week, Ford had to recall over 17,000 hybrid cars in Denmark because of a risk of them catching fire. Read more about it here .
