Volkswagen Halt ID.4 Production Due to Faulty Door Handles, Furloughs Plant Workers Amid Quality Control Crisis
Volkswagen Temporarily Suspends Production of ID.4, Furloughs Workers Amid Door Handle Recall
In a surprising move, Volkswagen has halted production of its popular ID.4 electric SUV due to ongoing issues with defective door handles. The German automaker took the decision to pause production at its Chattanooga, Tennessee plant until a remedy for the problem is available.
Background on the Recall
Water can potentially enter the electronic door handles, causing a short circuit and opening the doors while the vehicle is in motion. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that out of the estimated 98,806 potentially affected ID.4 owners, a mere 1% will be impacted. However, this doesn’t change the severity of the situation, leaving many owners waiting anxiously for a solution.
Production Halted, Furloughs Implemented
Volkswagen has paused production of the ID.4 at its Chattanooga plant until a door handle fix is available. In related news, the company plans to furlough approximately 200 employees at the plant, effective September 23. While this setback is unfortunate, Volkswagen promises to support the affected employees by supplementing their state-provided unemployment benefits to ensure they continue receiving 80% of their regular compensation.
United Auto Workers (UAW) Might Take Advantage of This Situation
As Volkswagen’s Chattanooga employees just voted to unionize with the United Auto Workers (UAW), this latest development may serve as fuel for the UAW’s negotiation efforts with the automaker.
Contract Talks Underway
Contract discussions between VW and the UAW kicked off on Thursday, making it an exciting time for labor negotiations.
Fix for Door Handles Still Pending
Unfortunately, Volkswagen’s engineers are still working to develop a remedy for the ID.4’s defective door handles, leaving vehicle owners in the dark as to when production will restart.
Share Your Concerns
Do you own an ID.4 with the defective door handles? Have you experienced any issues? Share your story by emailing tips@thedrive.com.
