by Lawsuit Against Volkswagen Over Steering Wheel Touch Buttons
The touch buttons on the Volkswagen steering wheel initially seemed like an innovative solution, but in practice, they caused more problems than excitement. A class action lawsuit has now been filed in the USA, claiming that these controls may pose a real safety threat.
A few years ago, Volkswagen admitted that the touch buttons were a mistake and promised to return physical switches in future models. However, this does not help the car owners who have already purchased vehicles with these inconvenient controls.
According to the plaintiffs, the overly sensitive touch buttons can accidentally activate the adaptive cruise control system from a “light touch of the hand,” creating dangerous situations on the road.
Main Focus – The ID.4 Model
The lawsuit concerns Volkswagen models equipped with touch buttons and cites the example of two plaintiffs who are now “scared and reluctant to get behind the wheel.” The document also states that the company did not report this defect, did not offer free repairs or compensation, despite numerous customer complaints.
The plaintiffs accuse Volkswagen of breach of warranty, consumer fraud, and violation of consumer protection laws in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The case is being considered in a federal court in New Jersey.
Although Volkswagen announced the abandonment of touch buttons three years ago, a full return to physical controls is expected only with the release of the new ID.2all. A complete departure from touch technology in the company’s other models may take several more years.
This situation raises an important question about the balance between innovation and practicality in the automotive industry. Many manufacturers are experimenting with touch interfaces, but, as the Volkswagen example shows, not all technological solutions turn out to be successful in terms of safety and convenience for drivers.
