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MotorFiable

APP 550

APP 550 motor, 210 to 240 kW (2023-) engine: faults and reliability

Volkswagen MEB: motor síncrono APP 310 / APP 550 and baterías de 55 a 91 kWh version

With caution

It is very recent and there is little data on faults specific to the motor. The ID.7 is covered by the 93MV and 93MF campaigns of October 2026.[1][2]

Years
since 2023
Power
282–326 hp
Faults that affect it
3
2 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
10
in our database

21 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

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.[3][4][5][6][7]

Engine codes of this version: APP 550.

Faults of the APP 550 engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  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. 3Medium 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.

Cars fitted with the APP 550 engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

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[15][16]

Cupra

Ford

  • Ford Explorer EVExplorer Standard Range RWD · Explorer Extended Range RWD · Explorer Extended Range AWDsince 2024[20][21]

Škoda

  • Škoda EnyaqEnyaq iV 50 · Enyaq iV 60 · Enyaq iV 80 · Enyaq 80X · Enyaq 85 · Enyaq RSsince 2021[12][13]
  • Škoda ElroqElroq 50 · Elroq 60 · Elroq 85 · Elroq 85x · Elroq RSsince 2024[17]

Volkswagen

Frequently asked questions

Is the APP 550 engine reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. It is very recent and there is little data on faults specific to the motor. The ID.7 is covered by the 93MV and 93MF campaigns of October 2026.[1][2]

What faults does the APP 550 engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: faulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire risk (critical severity), faulty supplier cells: charging limited to 80% until the battery is checked (critical severity) and charging that does not start or cuts out (AC and fast charging) (medium severity).

Which cars use the APP 550 engine?

Volkswagen ID.3 (since 2020), Volkswagen ID.4 (since 2021), Volkswagen ID.7 (since 2023), Volkswagen ID. Buzz (since 2022), Škoda Enyaq (since 2021), Cupra Born (since 2021), Audi Q4 e-tron (since 2021), Škoda Elroq (since 2024), Cupra Tavascan (since 2024) and Ford Explorer EV (since 2024).[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Are you buying a car with the APP 550 engine?

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 and at how many kilometres. 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. VW bereitet Batterie-Rückruf für mehrere ID.-Modelle vorelectrive · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Volkswagen Group MEB platformWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  4. Volkswagen ID.4Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  5. Volkswagen ID.7Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Volkswagen ID. BuzzWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. Cupra BornWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Volkswagen ID.3Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Fiabilité Volkswagen ID.3 : pannes et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité Volkswagen ID.4 : pannes et défautsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  11. 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
  12. Škoda EnyaqWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. Tous les problèmes sur Skoda Enyaq 2021 (15 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  14. Cupra Born: Bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 7 August 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  15. Audi Q4 e-tronWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  16. Todos los problemas del Audi Q4 e-tron (4 testimonios)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilidad Škoda Elroq: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  18. Cupra TavascanWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  19. Cupra Tavascan: bekannte Problemecarwiki.de · Other source · published 30 October 2026 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German
  20. Ford Explorer EVWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 31 October 2026
  21. Ford Explorer EV (2024+): bekannte Probleme und Rückrufecarwiki.de · Other source · published 22 October 2026 · consulted 31 October 2026 · in German