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APP 310APP 550

MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron) engine: faults and reliability

Volkswagen MEB: motor síncrono APP 310 / APP 550 and baterías de 55 a 91 kWh · Volkswagen, Škoda, Cupra, Audi and Ford

There are no documented faults in the electric motor or inverter, but 2026 battery campaigns mean the chassis number should be checked: faulty modules (March) and supplier cells with charging limited to 80% (October). Charging cutoffs are the other recurring fault.[1][2][3]

Risk index
48
Moderate risk · what it is
Documented faults
4
3 of high or critical severity
Timing
—
Technical data[4][5][6][7][8][9]
Production
since 2019
10 models on this site

26 sourcesHow we work

Which MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron) versions should you buy?

Our verdict for each version, based on the documented faults.

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

Known faults of the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

Sorted from most to least important (severity × frequency).

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryFaulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire riskYes: in March 2026 Volkswagen and Cupra recalled around 74,600 ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID. Buzz and around 19,500 Born built between 2022 and 2024, because some battery modules can overheat while charging and, in the worst case, catch fire. It is fixed with software and by replacing modules.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryFaulty supplier cells: charging limited to 80% until the battery is checkedIn October 2026 the KBA published new campaigns (93MV, 93MF and 93W4 on the Born) for high-voltage battery cells that do not meet the required quality. While the car is being checked, charging is limited to 80% and must be done outdoors.
  3. 3High severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryCells with high self-discharge in early cars: service measures 93P7 and 93Q2Some 2020 ID.3s and 2021 ID.4 and Cupra Born may have cells with high self-discharge that reduce usable capacity and trigger a warning. Volkswagen and Cupra fix this with service measures (93P7 and 93Q2) that check the modules and replace faulty ones.
  4. 4Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalChargingCharging that does not start or cuts out (AC and fast charging)In several MEB cars, owners and the press describe charging that does not start or is interrupted, both on AC and on fast charging. The sources point to the on-board charger, connector locking or software, with no single cause.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

By part

Compare each fault with the same part on other engines: symptoms, cost and affected models.

Symptoms of these faults

What the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron) is

MEB (Modularer Elektrifizierungsbaukasten) is the Volkswagen Group's electric platform: the ID.3 started production in Zwickau in November 2019 and the Enyaq in Mladá Boleslav in November 2020. Today it is shared by the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID. Buzz, Enyaq, Born and Q4 e-tron, among others.[4][8]

The base motor is a permanent-magnet synchronous unit on the rear axle with a single-speed reduction gear: the APP 310 (310 N·m) and, from 2023, the APP 550 (550 N·m), with a revised inverter. All-wheel-drive versions add an asynchronous motor on the front that only works when needed.[4][6][7][8]

Batteries range from 55 to 91 kWh gross, and fast charging from 100 to 185 kW depending on version, with an on-board charger of 7.2 to 11 kW.[5][8][9][14]

On reliability, the sources consulted record no faults in the electric motor, reduction gear or inverter, and ADAC places the ID.3, ID.4 and Born in the very good band of its breakdown statistics. What is documented are battery campaigns and charging cutoffs.[3][10][15]

Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group
Family
MEB
Type
Electrical
Engine
Síncrono de imanes permanentes en el eje trasero (APP 310, APP 550); en las versiones de tracción total, motor asíncrono adicional en el eje delantero
Battery
55–91 kWh
Power
146–340 hp
Peak torque
679 Nm
Production
since 2019
Makes
Volkswagen, Škoda, Cupra, Audi and Ford

Technical data[4][5][6][7][8][9]

What changed between versions

  1. since 2020

    55 to 62 kWh gross batteries with APP 310 motor (2020-2024)

    Entry and mid-range versions: 55 kWh battery (45-52 kWh usable) or 62 kWh (58 usable) and rear permanent-magnet synchronous APP 310 motor (310 N·m). The ID.3 Pure and Pro use the same APP 310.[4][5][8][9]

  2. since 2020

    77 to 84 kWh gross batteries with APP 310 motor (2020-)

    82 kWh gross battery (77 usable), which rose to 84 kWh in the ID.3 in 2024, with the same rear APP 310 motor. On the Born E-Boost and the Q4, fast charging reached 165-175 kW.[4][5][9][16]

  3. since 2021

    All-wheel drive with front asynchronous motor (2021-)

    4MOTION, quattro, 80X, 85X, GTX and vRS versions: add an asynchronous motor on the front axle (on the ID.7 GTX, the AKA 150) to the rear synchronous motor. The front motor only works when needed.[4][7][8][16]

  4. since 2023

    APP 550 motor, 210 to 240 kW (2023-)

    Second generation of the rear motor, introduced in 2023: 550 N·m in the same size as the APP 310 and greater efficiency thanks to a revised inverter. Used by the ID.7, the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz, the ID.3 GTX, the post-2023 ID.4 Pro and the Born VZ.[4][6][7][9][14]

Cars fitted with the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

10 models sold in Europe. Open each one to see all their faults and the buying checklist.

Audi

  • Audi Q4 e-tronQ4 35 e-tron · Q4 40 e-tron · Q4 45 e-tron quattro · Q4 50 e-tron quattro · Q4 55 e-tron quattrosince 2021[16][21]

Cupra

Ford

  • Ford Explorer EVExplorer Standard Range RWD · Explorer Extended Range RWD · Explorer Extended Range AWDsince 2024[25][26]

Škoda

  • Škoda EnyaqEnyaq iV 50 · Enyaq iV 60 · Enyaq iV 80 · Enyaq 80X · Enyaq 85 · Enyaq RSsince 2021[8][20]
  • Škoda ElroqElroq 50 · Elroq 60 · Elroq 85 · Elroq 85x · Elroq RSsince 2024[22]

Volkswagen

Compare the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

Maintenance parts for the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)

The parts replaced at services and when the timing belt or chain is changed, searched for this engine. Confirm the part number with the registration plate or VIN.

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Are you buying a car with the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had, at how many kilometres and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Brandgefahr: Rückruf für VW ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID. Buzz und Cupra BornADAC · Reliability study · published 21 October 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  2. Safety Gate SR/00953/26: VW ID. BUZZ, ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.BUZZ CARGO (batería de alta tensión)EU Safety Gate · Official body · published 31 March 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026
  3. Cupra Born: Bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 7 August 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Volkswagen Group MEB platformWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  5. Volkswagen ID.3Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Volkswagen ID.4Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. Volkswagen ID.7Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Škoda EnyaqWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Cupra BornWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  10. VW ID.3: bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 19 May 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  11. Volkswagen ID.3 Battery Holds Up Amazingly After 160,000 Km Test (prueba de resistencia del ADAC)Zecar · Motoring press · published 17 July 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
  12. 107,000 mile VW ID.3 loses just eight miles of range in independent endurance testElectrifying.com · Motoring press · published 16 July 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. VW bereitet Batterie-Rückruf für mehrere ID.-Modelle vorelectrive · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  14. Volkswagen ID. BuzzWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  15. VW ID.4: bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  16. Audi Q4 e-tronWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  17. Fiabilité Volkswagen ID.3 : pannes et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité Volkswagen ID.4 : pannes et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  19. Volkswagen ID.Buzz (2022-2024): recall of the high-voltage battery (fire risk)car-recalls.eu · Motoring press · published April 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026
  20. Tous les problèmes sur Skoda Enyaq 2021 (15 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  21. Todos los problemas del Audi Q4 e-tron (4 testimonios)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  22. Fiabilidad Škoda Elroq: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  23. Cupra TavascanWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  24. Cupra Tavascan: bekannte Problemecarwiki.de · Other source · published 30 October 2026 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  25. Ford Explorer EVWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  26. Ford Explorer EV (2024+): bekannte Probleme und Rückrufecarwiki.de · Other source · published 22 October 2026 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German