Two Volkswagen EVs catch fire in France during charging amid ongoing recall
Two recalled Volkswagen vehicles caught fire within days of each other
Both vehicles which caught fire were Volkswagen ID. Buzz models
Kittyfly/Shutterstock.
In the space of just a few days, two Volkswagen electric vehicles that were part of a recent recall caught fire while charging in France, prompting investigations into the incidents.
The fires occurred on May 7 in the Paris region and on May 12 near Toulouse, with both vehicles reportedly being Volkswagen ID. Buzz models. Volkswagen told TF1 that there is not presently a confirmed link between the recall and the fires.
The vehicles involved form part of a major Europe-wide recall affecting several Volkswagen electric models, including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID. Buzz, as well as certain Cupra vehicles produced between February 17, 2022 and August 23, 2024.
Cupra is owned by the Volkswagen Group but is produced by Seat.
When the recall was announced in March, Volkswagen advised owners of the affected models not to charge the battery above 80% and to charge the vehicles outdoors only, stating that: “We have found that a module in the high-voltage battery may not meet our high quality standards.”
It also warned that: “This may result in a significant loss of range, the illumination of a yellow warning light, or overheating inside the high-voltage battery. Such overheating may cause the vehicle to catch fire and could lead to serious or even fatal injuries.”
The recall measures include a free software update, inspection and testing of the battery modules and, where necessary, replacement of individual high-voltage battery modules.
Volkswagen has encouraged affected owners to take their vehicles to authorised service centres for the required work, while investigations into the two charging fires remain ongoing.
