Volkswagen Faces Class Action Over Alleged ID.4 Battery Fire Risks

The complaint, titled Chen v. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, et al., asserts that misaligned electrodes within the high-voltage batteries can trigger fires, endangering both vehicle occupants and personal property. According to the litigation filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, Volkswagen first became aware of a battery-related fire in January 2024. Despite documenting multiple subsequent incidents throughout 2024, the manufacturer did not initiate a formal recall until December 2025.

Legal representatives for the plaintiffs highlight that even after issuing expanded recalls in January 2026, the automaker admitted it had not yet identified a definitive root cause for several thermal incidents reported outside of initial supplier findings. The lawsuit seeks to address breach of express warranty and various federal and state law violations on behalf of all U.S. owners and lessees of the affected ID.4 vehicles. Jonathan Naji, the attorney leading the case, is currently collecting information from affected owners to determine the scope of the class action.