Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz, the all-electric update of its classic bus, runs on vibes. It’s spacious, versatile and relatively cool compared to other minivans. The company said it also leads the industry in third-row leg room. But don’t get too comfortable back there just yet.
A new recall, spotted by Electrek, is targeting the ID.Buzz for having too much space for passengers in the third row. The vehicle was designed to have two designated seating positions in the back row, so the bench seat is logically equipped with just two seatbelts. But, as the NHTSA puts it, the calculated seating surface width of the third-row rear bench exceeds the maximum value allowed by federal motor vehicle safety standards. In other words, it’s too comfortable, making it too easy to squeeze in a third passenger who’d be left without a seatbelt.
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Volkswagen’s fix for the problem involves installing unpadded trim parts that will limit the seating surface width. While it’s unclear what exactly this uncomfortable piece will look like, its installation won’t require reimbursing owners since the more than 5,600 affected vehicles are still within the new vehicle limited warranty period.
In spite of the seating snafu, the ID.Buzz has been racking up design awards. That includes winning World Car Design of the Year at the 2025 New York International Auto Show and North American Utility Vehicle of the Year at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show.
But while the awards pile up, sales have been a little slower to accumulate. Volkswagen moved just over 3,000 units of the ID.Buzz during the fourth quarter and first quarter combined, though the extent of the recall suggests that sales might be picking up during the second quarter.
According to Automotive News, the company said the recent uptick in sales for its electric bus is partially due to improved supply in California, a crucial EV market and a natural habitat for the ID.Buzz.
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X-TIMESTAMP-MAP=LOCAL:00:00:00.000,MPEGTS:0
00:00.239 --> 00:04.449
Volkswagen's ID Buzz, the all-electric update
of its classic bus,
00:04.639 --> 00:08.439
runs on vibes.
It's spacious, versatile, and relatively cool
00:08.439 --> 00:12.680
compared to other minivans.
The company said it also leads the industry in
00:12.680 --> 00:16.549
third row leg room, but don't get too
comfortable back there just yet.
00:16.860 --> 00:22.129
A new recall spotted by Electric is targeting
the ID buzz for having too much space for
00:22.129 --> 00:26.209
passengers in the 3rd row.
The vehicle was designed to have 2 designated
00:26.209 --> 00:31.450
seating positions in the back row, so the bench
seat is logically equipped with just 2
00:31.450 --> 00:35.729
seatbelts.
But as the NHTSA puts it, the calculated
00:35.729 --> 00:41.409
seating surface width of the 3rd row rear bench
exceeds the maximum value allowed by Federal
00:41.409 --> 00:43.430
Motor Vehi.
Safety standards.
00:43.509 --> 00:48.270
In other words, it's too comfortable, making it
too easy to squeeze in a third passenger who'd
00:48.270 --> 00:51.950
be left without a seat belt.
Volkswagen's fix for the problem involves
00:51.950 --> 00:55.900
installing unpadded trim parts that will limit
the seating surface width.
00:56.069 --> 00:59.700
While it's unclear what exactly this
uncomfortable piece will look like,
00:59.869 --> 01:05.910
its installation won't require reimbursing
owners since the more than 5600 affected
01:05.910 --> 01:09.750
vehicles are still Than the new vehicle limited
warranty period.
01:09.889 --> 01:14.680
In spite of the seating snafu, the ID buzz has
been racking up design awards.
01:14.970 --> 01:20.209
That includes winning World Car Design of the
Year at the 2025 New York International Auto
01:20.209 --> 01:26.120
Show and North American Utility Vehicle of the
Year at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show.
01:26.250 --> 01:30.650
But while its awards pile up, sales have been a
little slower to accumulate.
01:30.809 --> 01:34.819
Volkswagen moved just over 3.
1000 units of the ID buzz during the fourth
01:34.819 --> 01:39.970
quarter and 1st quarter combined, though the
extent of the recall suggests that sales might
01:39.970 --> 01:43.470
be picking up during the 2nd quarter.
According to Automotive News,
01:43.709 --> 01:49.069
the company said the recent uptick in sales for
its electric bus is partially due to improved
01:49.069 --> 01:55.000
supply in California, a crucial EV market and a
natural habitat for the ID buzz.
01:55.430 --> 01:57.580
I'm Ben Munson, and this is manufacturing now.
