Immediately after its introduction, the Volkswagen ID3 shot to the top position in the sales figures, but Volkswagens first car developed purely as an EV also still causes headaches. There would be a ‘rain of complaints’ from owners. According to Volkswagen, the ID3 can soon be sent to the garage for an update.
Before the introduction, it was already messing around around the fully electric Volkswagen ID3. Volkswagen’s first MEB model would have had major software glitches in the pre-production phase, causing behind-the-scenes concerns about its introduction. The basic structure of the ID3’s software is said to be ‘hastily’ designed. Ultimately, according to Volkswagen, it would have been largely resolved, but there would also be major updates after the introduction to further resolve any teething problems.
The updates came. Good thing too, because more than 11,000 ID3s have already been registered on a Dutch license plate. Still, the poison cup really doesn’t seem empty yet. Even though Volkswagen has been working on tightening up the ID3, problems would still arise. The manufacturer FD reports that there is a ‘shower of complaints’ from the owners of ID3s. “… complaints about malfunctions with the electronics, navigation, ease of use, but also about the range. In some cases this leads to unsafe situations, because the cars come to a standstill or direction indicators do not function properly.” On FD says Volkswagen that safety is not at stake and that they are ‘roadworthy’ and ‘meet the requirements that Volkswagen sets for the safety of its vehicles’.
ID3 owners are however invited to bring their car to the garage. Volkswagen Netherlands tells Techzle that it is not a recall, as reported by other media, but a previously announced ‘voluntary software update’. “In September 2020, it was announced that a software update would be available in the first quarter of 2021. The update will improve performance and add a number of new features. ID3 riders will be invited by the dealership for a visit in March to the workshop, “said the importer. “Customers who experience malfunctions in the meantime can of course report to the dealer. Experience shows that in almost all cases an immediate solution is available. If this is not the case, free replacement transport is provided so that customers are always mobile. stay.”
Our endurance tester
Unfortunately, some problems that ID3 owners would encounter are also not strange to Techzle. We have had an ID3 endurance tester in our test fleet for some time now and it certainly turned out not to be free of problems. This went so far that even another copy has now been replaced to complete the endurance test period. Curious about all the details about this and our experiences with the ID3 to date? We will discuss this in Techzle 8, which will be in shops from next Wednesday. A video update about ‘our’ ID3 will also be released soon. So keep an eye on the website.