From an observer’s perspective, it’s clear that the Volkswagen ID.4 is far from perfect as it’s had several issues since its launch. At times, the problems are relatively trivial. However, some of them are more serious, such as when the doors open on their own because they can’t handle water on them. What we don’t often get is an inside look at life with such a car. Now, one man in Florida is telling his troubled story with an ID.4. 

Josh Cowan is a die-hard Volkswagen fan. He’s owned three Jettas, a Tiguan, and an Atlas. His wife’s very first car was a Volkswagen. It made sense to him to get an ID.4 when it came time to buy a new car for his family. What he didn’t know was that he’d end up right back in a loaner Tiguan for over seven months. 

More: VW Bringing Back True ‘Volkswagen’ Looks For Facelifted ID.3 And ID.4

Not long after taking delivery of his low-mileage but used ID.4 from Carmax, he noticed an airbag light on. He took it to the dealer and mentioned to them that he also heard a strange noise periodically. “There was a clunking sound that happened every time you kind of turned a corner and accelerated,” Cowan said to WFTV. 

First, the dealer thought the issue was a motor mount. When that didn’t work, they told him that the ID.4 needed a new transmission. Now, over seven months later, the ID.4 is still sitting at the shop. What’s taking so long? According to the dealer, Volkswagen itself hasn’t supplied it with the tools it needs to swap the gearbox out. 

“So, there it sits. Now it’s been seven and a half months. There are two additional recalls on that car that have happened in the meantime that they don’t have fixes for,” Cowan said. Interestingly, Volkswagen seems poised to wipe its hands of all liability as they offered the Cowans $3,000.

Josh believes that if he accepts it, he’ll release VW from future claims. With that in mind, Josh says “It’s frustrating, and we feel really let down by Volkswagen.” The only thing he can do at this point is wait on the dealer and the automaker to make things right. 

Image Credit: WFTV

Volkswagen is readying a raft of improvements for the ID.3 and ID.4 that won’t just overhaul their designs, but also introduce new interiors and improvements to their underpinnings.

While the ID.3 and ID.4 were among the first truly compelling EVs from the VW Group in their respective segments, sales haven’t exactly met expectations. When the ID.3 launched in 2019, some believed it could challenge the dominance of the Tesla Model Y. Evidently, that didn’t happen, and part of the reason is likely the design language of VW’s current ID models. Fortunately, things are set to change, with design inspiration now coming from the upcoming ID.2, which was previewed by a concept last year.

A New Look, A New Direction

During a recent interview with Auto Express, Volkswagen’s development boss, Kai Grünitz, confirmed that both the ID.3 and ID.4 will benefit from the brand’s new design language. “We will bring a re-skin for the ID.4 and ID.3, with a completely new design language going back to where we originally came from, from a design perspective, and return to what Volkswagen is known for,” he said.

This means ditching the somewhat ambiguous styling of current ID models in favor of a more coherent and recognizable aesthetic. Leading the charge is VW design head Andy Mindt, whose new approach embraces a cleaner, more defined two-box silhouette that should help give the ID. models a clearer identity.

Read: VW Dials Back Touchscreens, Rediscovers Physical Buttons

In addition to the new looks, Grünitz hinted at more practical improvements, too. “We also have a lot of improvements in terms of battery costs and performance, we will also bring new features and driver assistance functions,” he added. “So there will be a huge improvement, both in terms of the cost for us, but also benefit for the customers.”

Translation: better range, improved performance, and a host of new tech aimed at making the ID.3 and ID.4 more attractive to buyers

Interior Overhaul: Goodbye, Cheap Plastics

If you’ve ever spent time in an ID.3 or ID.4, you’ll know the interiors can feel a bit… cold, to put it mildly. VW seems to have taken the hint. Customers will be pleased to know that VW is working to make its cabins nicer. The new interior design direction was also previewed by the ID.2all concept and added more physical buttons and switches. One of the key features of the concept was its row of physical switches for the climate control, neatly positioned below the central infotainment display.

The British magazine also mentioned that VW will make several quality improvements to the cabins of the ID.3 and ID.4. In September, Mindt revealed that the brand plans to ditch cheap plastic materials and will instead use more fabrics.

When Will the New ID.3 and ID.4 Arrive?

As for when you can expect these refreshed ID. models to hit showrooms, Volkswagen is staying tight-lipped. The cars might not land until 2026, but given the current pace of the EV market, that’s probably just the right amount of time to make these updates matter.

Volkswagen is gearing up for a sweeping redesign of its electric ID lineup, accompanied by substantial upgrades to its MEB architecture. The refreshed range is set to roll out in 2026, with Volkswagen’s R&D chief describing the overhaul as “a much bigger change than expected.”

The new design philosophy will draw inspiration from the production version of the VW ID.2all concept, expected to debut in late 2025 or early 2026. This compact yet forward-thinking model will serve as the aesthetic blueprint for VW’s electrified future.

Rooted in Heritage, Focused on the Future

Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Technical Development, shared fresh insights on the redesign during an interview with Autocar at the Los Angeles Auto Show. According to Grünitz, the revamped design direction is “going back to where we came from”, adding that it is closer “to what Volkswagen stands for.”

More: VW Brings Electric Tractors With Swappable Batteries To African Farms As Rentals

While he didn’t specify which ID models will be updated first or the precise timeline for the rollout, industry reports suggest that VW’s entire electric lineup will be reimagined. The ID.3 hatchback and ID.4/ID.5 SUVs, being among the earliest MEB-based models, are likely at the front of the queue for facelifts.

Meanwhile, the newer ID.7 sedan may follow suit, though the retro-cool ID.Buzz van might escape major exterior revisions. In typical VW fashion, the changes aim to refine rather than reinvent the lineup’s core appeal.

MEB Evolution

Beyond styling, the updates will deliver technical enhancements, including improved performance, lower battery costs, and “new functionality.” Grünitz hinted that these advancements will extend the MEB platform’s lifecycle until the next-gen SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) takes over, covering “everything from city cars to high-performance supercars”.

Volkswagen is clearly playing the long game with SSP, backed by its recent partnership with Rivian. Grünitz was quick to praise the US-based EV maker, describing it as “much leaner and faster than traditional OEMs” and comparable to the nimbleness of Chinese automakers. He also commended Rivian’s “best-in-class” OTA (over-the-air) software updates—a capability VW intends to adopt for its own electric arsenal.

ID.2 To Spawn Electric SUV and Hot Hatch

The next step for VW is to show an ID.2-based SUV concept at the 2025 Munich Motor Show. This study will be a preview for the second production EV to ride on the MEB Entry platform, following the ID.2 hatchback.

Enthusiasts have even more to look forward to: the ID.2 will evolve into the first-ever fully electric GTI. As previewed by the ID.GTI Concept in 2023, this hot hatch is set to debut in 2026, embodying the spirit of the Golf GTI. Grünitz teased that the model will blend nostalgia with innovation, delivering surprises that should resonate with VW loyalists and newcomers alike.