Lawsuit Against Volkswagen Over ID.4 Steering Wheel Buttons
The Volkswagen company is facing a collective lawsuit in the USA over the capacitive buttons on the steering wheel of the ID.4 electric vehicle, which, drivers claim, can accidentally activate the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system. This leads to a sharp acceleration of the vehicle, the plaintiffs allege. One of them, Janis Bicher, reported that her ID.4 hit a tree after she accidentally touched the ACC button while parking.
Volkswagen’s Attempt to Dismiss the Case
A few months after the lawsuit was filed, Volkswagen filed a motion for its dismissal. The company is trying to prevent a lengthy and costly court process. The case is being considered in the US District Court in New Jersey, where the plaintiffs claim that a light touch of the steering wheel’s capacitive elements can activate the ACC without the driver’s intention.
Two plaintiffs mentioned in the lawsuit state that they are “frightened and hesitant” to drive their cars because of this risk.
Volkswagen’s Arguments
Volkswagen denies the accusations, noting that none of the plaintiffs were forced to stop using their cars because of this issue. In response to the incident with Janis Bicher, the company stated that she did not indicate that she applied the brakes during the event, and also that the ID.4’s data recorder did not record any signs of ACC activation.
Regarding the second plaintiff, Omar Hakkaoi, who reported vehicle damage after a sudden acceleration in a driveway, Volkswagen notes that he did not claim that his wife touched the ACC capacitive buttons on the steering wheel.
Legal Aspects of the Case
The German automaker also claims that the lawsuit does not meet the criteria for collective lawsuits, as the plaintiffs from Massachusetts and Connecticut cannot represent owners from other states. Furthermore, Volkswagen points to the lack of a clear definition of the defect that, in the plaintiffs’ opinion, affects the electric vehicle.
This case highlights the broader safety issue of capacitive interfaces in modern cars, where accidental activation can have serious consequences. Although Volkswagen denies the accusations, similar cases may affect consumer trust in technologies integrated into vehicles. It is important to consider that regulatory bodies may intensify inspections of such systems, especially with the growing popularity of electric vehicles and their complex electronic components.