The Volkswagen ID. Buzz spans 2025–2026 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2025, 2026 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2026, 2025. It delivers up to 83 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2025 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Volkswagen ID. Buzz VIN — every digit explained
Every Volkswagen ID. Buzz carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Volkswagen and the country it was built in (real Volkswagen codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this ID. Buzz.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWV1 · WV2 · WVG · WVW
- USA1V1 · 1V2 · 1VW
- Mexico3VV · 3VW · 9BW
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your ID. Buzz, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen ID. Buzz have?
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2025–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz recalls 2
Seats:mid/rear Assembly
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 ID. BUZZ vehicles. The third-row rear bench is wide enough for three passengers, but is designed for two passengers and equipped with two seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk. In the event that more than two passengers sit in the rear bench seat, there would not be enough seat belts, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will install trim to adjust the width of the third-row rear seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 72LC.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 ID. Buzz vehicles. The brake system warning light on the instrument panel display may be the incorrect symbol and color. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems" and 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk. An incorrectly displayed warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 90A2.
Best and worst years for the Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 2 tracked years, the worst years are 2025, 2026 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2026, 2025.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 ID. Buzz | Structure | Avoid | |
| 2026 ID. Buzz | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Volkswagen ID. Buzz problems?
The most-reported Volkswagen ID. Buzz problems are Structure (2 reports), Service Brakes (2 reports) and Electrical System (1 reports) — out of 12 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Volkswagen ID. Buzz window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the ID. Buzz holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Volkswagen ID. Buzz get?
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz returns up to 83 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $900/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz gets 83 MPGe and costs about $900/yr to fuel — that's about $6,500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 ID. Buzz | 90 | 75 | $900 | — | 10/10 | Electric |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the ID. Buzz stacks up against the most fuel-efficient electric cars, or calculate this ID. Buzz's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Volkswagen ID. Buzz have? Power & range
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is offered with 1 powertrain — Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | RWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Volkswagen ID. Buzz tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your ID. Buzz's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Volkswagen ID. Buzz cost to own?
A Volkswagen ID. Buzz depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this ID. Buzz loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $4,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the ID. Buzz ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz safe?
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 ID. Buzz | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Volkswagen ID. Buzz last?
A well-maintained Volkswagen ID. Buzz typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Volkswagen ID. Buzz’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this ID. Buzz’s VIN free →All Volkswagen ID. Buzz model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ID. Buzz | 0 | — | |
| 2025 ID. Buzz | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the ID. Buzz?
By owner-complaint volume, 2025, 2026 drew the most reports. 2026, 2025 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the ID. Buzz have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2025–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Volkswagen recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the ID. Buzz get?
Up to 83 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the ID. Buzz safe?
The ID. Buzz earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a ID. Buzz last?
A well-maintained ID. Buzz typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the ID. Buzz reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the ID. Buzz is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Volkswagen ID. Buzz warranty?
New Volkswagen models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Volkswagen dealer.
Where is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your ID. Buzz's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Volkswagen may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the ID. Buzz have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.