WASHINGTON — Volkswagen’s newest electric van has been recalled due to a significant, and surprising, design flaw. 

The 2025 ID.Buzz, which pairs the capabilities of an electric vehicle with the old-school look of the Volkswagen Transporter, arrived in the U.S. market in late 2024. It made its U.S. debut two years after it had been available to European consumers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall of the peculiar-looking car due to a seating compliance issue that could increase the risk of injury in a crash. 

The ID.Buzz has two designated seating positions, known as DSPs, and is equipped with only two seatbelts. However, the third-row seating bench is so wide that it would require three seatbelts, according to the regulatory agency.

“If three passengers were to be seated on the third-row rear bench, there would be insufficient seat belts for all three passengers. This could increase the risk of an injury for passengers in the event of a crash,” the recall says. 

Basically, the third row bench is so wide that it requires three seat belts, instead of the two it was originally equipped with. 

The recall affects over 5,000 electric vans and involves all vehicles manufactured between Sept. 18, 2024, and Feb. 11, 2025. According to the recall, no reported field claims or injuries related to the issues have been reported.

To remedy the problem, Volkswagen plans to install fixed unpadded trim components on the third-row seat to reduce its usable width, ensuring it meets the maximum allowed for two passengers. The company will not offer a reimbursement program since the affected vehicles are still under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Dealer notifications are scheduled for Apr. 25, 2025, and customer notifications are expected by June 20, 2025. Owners with questions can contact Volkswagen’s customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

The recall comes as the funky van won several World Car awards at the New York International Auto Show. According to USA Today, its design won the van the World Car Design award, beating out the Kia EV3 and Toyota Land Cruiser. 

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz starts at $59,995 for the base-level Pro S trim. Five other trims are available at varying prices. 

Although it is an electric vehicle, it is not eligible for the federal tax credit of $7,500.