Tag Archives: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

Why California EV Owners Need to Watch Out for El Niño Flooding

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electric-vehicle-flooding

When El Niño brings atmospheric rivers and king tides across California’s coastlines and valley basins, most drivers worry about stalled engines, washed out roads, or hydroplaning. For electric vehicle (EV) drivers, severe flooding presents a hidden risk that often surfaces after the floodwaters recede: saltwater induced battery fires.  While gas powered cars typically suffer mechanical failure when submerged, high-voltage battery packs react to floodwaters, especially saltwater, in a completely different way.

Why Saltwater and EV Batteries Don’t Mix

Modern EV batteries are insulated, sealed, and engineered to meet high weather-resistance standards to handle rain and puddle splashes safely. However, storm surges and tidal flooding introduce salt into the equation.

  • The Chemistry of Corrosion: Saltwater is a potent electrical conductor. When submerged, saltwater can breach secondary seals or collect around high-voltage connectors and module wiring.
  • Delayed Thermal Runaway: As the saltwater evaporates, it leaves behind salt bridge deposits. These deposits create short circuits within the high-voltage pack. This can trigger thermal runaway, a chain reaction where battery cells rapidly overheat and ignite days or weeks after the vehicle has dried out.

Key Warning Signs After Water Exposure

If your vehicle was exposed to deep floodwaters or high coastal surges, watch for the following red flags:

  • Audible Cues: Popping, gurgling, or unusual hissing coming from underneath the chassis.
  • Visual Clues: Smoke, sudden moisture condensation inside light housings, or persistent dashboard electrical warnings.
  • Thermal Signals: Noticeable heat emanating from the floorboards or battery enclosure while the car is parked or off.

What to Do If Your EV Is Flooded

  1. Never Attempt to Start or Charge the Vehicle If high water reached the undercarriage or battery pack level, do not turn on the ignition or connect a charging cable. High-voltage energy stored in the cells can arc if circuits are compromised.
  2. Park Outside and Away from Structures Tow or move the vehicle to an open outdoor space away from garages, homes, or adjacent cars. If a thermal event occurs, battery fires burn intensely hot and can easily spread to nearby structures. Maintain at least a 50-foot safety buffer.
  3. Inform Emergency Responders and Towing Operators Notify tow truck operators and first responders immediately that the vehicle was submerged in floodwaters. Standard flatbed recovery protocols require extra distance and specialized handling for flooded EVs.
  4. Schedule a Professional Diagnostic Inspection Do not assume the car is safe because it looks dry. Have the vehicle inspected by a certified technician equipped to conduct high-voltage insulation tests and check the battery pack enclosure integrity before attempting to drive or charge it.

Preparing Your EV Before the Next Storm Hits

  • Move to Higher Ground: Park on elevated terrain or higher parking garage decks if high tides or atmospheric river warnings are issued for your area.
  • Avoid Standing Floodwaters: Resist the urge to drive through deep water. Submerged road debris or hidden currents can crack battery shields even if the car has no air intake.
  • Keep Emergency Contacts Ready: Know your roadside assistance numbers and keep your local fire department’s non-emergency line saved in case you observe localized overheating or smoke while parked.

Volkswagen ID.4 EVs Battery Fire Risk

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Volkswagen Group of America has launched a safety action affecting 22,524 model-year 2023–2026 Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicles due to a hazard involving high-voltage battery fires.  If you drive an affected ID.4, there is a simple setting you need to change in your touchscreen charging menu immediately while Volkswagen works on a permanent fix.

What Is Causing the Issue?

According to NHTSA Campaign 26V-630 (Volkswagen internal code 93EX), specific high-voltage battery packs installed in these vehicles can experience thermal propagation, a process where excessive heat in one battery cell spreads to neighboring cells, creating a potential fire hazard.

While Volkswagen and its battery cell supplier continue to investigate the root cause, preliminary engineering studies conducted between June and September 2026 revealed key risk factors:

  • Overheating occurs when specific charging profiles are used while holding the battery at a State of Charge (SoC) above 80%.
  • Data suggests a correlation between specific isolation-resistance values and DC fast-charging ratios.
  • A total of 22 field incidents were reported in the U.S. between January 18, 2024, and August 7, 2026.

What Should ID.4 Owners Do Right Now?

Because an official repair is still being developed by Volkswagen engineers, the automaker strongly advises all affected drivers to follow an immediate safeguard: limit your vehicle’s maximum charging threshold to 80% battery capacity. Do not top off your ID.4 to 100% until official service updates are performed at a dealership.

Timeline and Next Steps

  • June 17, 2026: Volkswagen ordered detailed examinations of complete high-voltage battery systems after preliminary data flagged potential risks linked to isolation-resistance values and DC fast-charging ratios.
  • September 21, 2026: Field study results confirmed that certain charging profiles paired with a state of charge over 80% could trigger thermal events. Additional technical analysis was requested from the battery supplier.
  • September 23, 2026: The Product Safety Committee formally authorized a voluntary safety action for all affected U.S. vehicles.
  • November 27, 2026: Official warning notifications explaining the safety risk and temporary charging limits are expected to reach owners by mail.

Quick Reference Summary

  • NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-630
  • VW Campaign Code: 93EX
  • Affected Population: 2023–2026 Volkswagen ID.4 (22,524 units)
  • Affected System: Electrical System (High-Voltage Battery)
  • Primary Safety Hazard: Thermal propagation / Vehicle Fire
  • Temporary Precaution: Cap battery charging capacity at 80%
  • Interim Notice Date: November 27, 2026

Volkswagen ID.4 EV Safety Defect: Overheating Batteries

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Volkswagen has issued two separate safety defects affecting the 2023–2025 Volkswagen ID.4, its all-electric SUV. While both recalls involve safety-related defects, one affects a smaller subset of vehicles and the other impacts a much larger population of ID.4 owners.

Both recalls center on the vehicle’s high-voltage battery system, a critical and potentially dangerous component if defects arise. Battery-related issues are taken seriously by regulators due to the risk of overheating, fire, and loss of vehicle function.

For California drivers, repeated battery issues or extended repair times may also raise lemon law concerns.

Recall #1: High-Voltage Battery Overheating Risk

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V028000
Volkswagen Recall Number: 93EW

Volkswagen is recalling a large number of 2023–2025 ID.4 vehicles due to a defect that may cause the high-voltage battery to overheat.

What Is the Problem?

Volkswagen has identified an issue in which certain battery cell modules may overheat, increasing the risk of a thermal event. Battery overheating in electric vehicles can potentially lead to:

  • Fire risk
  • Damage to the battery pack
  • Loss of vehicle functionality
  • Safety hazards during or after charging

Because of the seriousness of the risk, Volkswagen has issued immediate safety instructions for affected owners.

Important Safety Instructions for Owners

Until the recall repair is completed, owners are advised to:

  • Park the vehicle outside immediately after charging
  • Do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight
  • Avoid using Level 3 DC fast chargers
  • Limit the battery’s maximum charge to 80%

These precautions are intended to reduce the risk of overheating while Volkswagen prepares the permanent remedy.

Recall Remedy

Volkswagen dealers will:

  • Inspect the high-voltage battery
  • Replace affected battery cell modules as necessary

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 20, 2026.

Recall #2: High-Voltage Battery Software Defect

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V030000
Volkswagen Recall Number: 93EA

A separate recall affects a smaller number of 2023–2025 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles involving the high-voltage battery system.

What Is the Problem?

In this recall, Volkswagen identified a condition where the battery management software may not properly monitor or control battery behavior, which could contribute to overheating or other unsafe operating conditions.

Recall Remedy

To address the issue, Volkswagen dealers will:

  • Update the high-voltage battery software
  • Replace the high-voltage battery if necessary

As with the larger recall, owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 20, 2026.

Why These Recalls Matter for California ID.4 Owners

Battery defects are among the most serious problems an electric vehicle can face. In California, EVs are protected under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, commonly known as the Lemon Law.

You may have a potential lemon law claim if your Volkswagen ID.4:

  • Has repeated battery or charging-related issues
  • Requires multiple repair attempts for the same safety defect
  • Is out of service for an extended period due to recall repairs
  • Suffers diminished value or safety concerns even after repairs

Notably, recalls do not cancel lemon law rights. In fact, a safety recall involving a high-voltage battery can strengthen a claim if the defect substantially affects the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.

Bottom Line

Volkswagen’s two recalls for the 2023–2025 ID.4 highlight serious concerns involving the vehicle’s high-voltage battery system. While Volkswagen is offering repairs, owners should follow all safety guidance and carefully document any ongoing problems or time spent in the repair shop.

If your ID.4 continues to experience battery issues, charging limitations, or extended downtime, it may be worth exploring your rights under California Lemon Law.

Certain 2022-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEVs May Have A Battery Defect

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A potential safety issue has been identified in a small number of 2022-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The problem affects the high voltage battery cells, which may have a manufacturing defect that can cause an internal short circuit. This defect is due to misaligned electrodes in the battery cells, which can occur over repeated charge and discharge cycles.

The issue was first brought to Ford’s attention in October 2024, when a fire was reported in a 2022 model year F-150 BEV. Further investigation revealed two additional fires in 2022 and 2023 model year vehicles, prompting Ford to launch a broader inquiry into the matter. Although no physical samples were initially available for analysis, Ford’s Field Review Committee authorized a program to collect and evaluate additional samples from the field.

The subsequent tear-down analysis of the returned battery arrays revealed evidence of misaligned electrodes in the high voltage battery cells. The supplier also found that eight stacker machines between two production lines had produced cells with cathode shift, which did not meet the design requirements. This manufacturing concern resulted in overlap that fell short of the required standards. Notably, some of the cells from vehicles that experienced fires were manufactured during this time frame.

On February 18, 2025, Ford learned of a fifth report of a vehicle fire and decided to approve a safety recall. The recall affects certain 2022-2024 Ford F-150 Lightning BEVs, and owners are advised to take precautions until the repair is completed. Specifically, owners should only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity to minimize the risk of an internal short circuit.

To address this issue, dealers will inspect and replace the high voltage battery array as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 17, 2025. Ford’s recall number for this issue is 25S18, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned a campaign number of 25V-131.