[CharlesJenkins2]

Our five year old ID3 has recently had two major problems. The first is that it has become unexpectedly immobilised with a message saying that the vehicle is charging when it is not charging. This first happened from a stationary position and the problem was supposedly resolved but then happened while driving in traffic which was alarming and potentially dangerous. Has anyone had this problem?


Secondly according to the garage there has been water ingress which has damaged the charging system requiring work and parts costing £6000 although we have done nothing more than drive and charge the vehicle in rain. Has anyone had this problem?

[Nick]

Hi @CharlesJenkins2 - welcome to the RAC Community, and thanks for making your first post, it's great to hear from you. Sorry to hear of the problem you're having with your ID3 - what sort of warranty did you have on it, and is any of it still valid? Obviously it sounds as though a bit of rain shouldn't matter, however, never having owned an EV I'm not sure what the recommendations are for charging in the rain - did they give any indication as to where they think the water is getting in?

[NMNeil]

@Nick From the VW UK web site

Warranty against Manufacturing Defects

The batteries for Battery electric vehicles (BEV) and Plug in hybrids (PHEV) are warranted against all defects in materials and workmanship for eight years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first."

Not sure if the posters problems would be covered as it's the charging system rather than just the batteries.

[olduser]

In most parts of the World rain can happen eventually, and car washes are used. As the car market is international, so any charging system and plug/socket have to be waterproof. Even if it were out of warranty, I think most courts would rule against the manufacturer in such a case.
If the transmission, motor, traction control, are leaking it's leaking out, and is designed to outlive the car.

[Rolebama]

Admittedly we have had more rain than usual this year, but that is just nonsense. Are they admitting that they have not built a rain-proof car for the UK market? Just more nonsense trying to shrug off resonsibility.
Have you had an itemized estimate as to why the bill would be so high?

[Beelzebub]

Originally Posted by Rolebama

Are they admitting that they have not built a rain-proof car for the UK market?

Why not? BMC built the Mini after all ...

[Rolebama]

@Beelzebub I can't argue with that, but they did (eventually) bring out a rain guard for the distributor. (And for £6,000, you could always buy a spare).