VW Believes Its Capacitive Buttons Shouldn't Face Legal Scrutiny | Carscoops

      A lawsuit alleges that touch-sensitive steering buttons can unintentionally activate cruise control in the ID. 4 EV.

      20 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      VW is facing a lawsuit concerning safety issues with the touch buttons on the ID.4's steering wheel.

      Drivers assert that minimal contact can engage Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and result in unexpected acceleration.

      One plaintiff reports that her EV collided with a tree after inadvertently touching the ACC button.

      Months following a lawsuit against VW in the United States regarding claims that the capacitive steering wheel buttons of the ID. 4 are a safety hazard, the company has moved to dismiss the case.

      This kind of case can gain traction well before it reaches a court, prompting VW to attempt to resolve it before it evolves into a prolonged and costly dispute.

      Read: VW Drivers Express Fear of Touching Their Steering Wheels, Thus They Are Suing

      The class-action lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, contends that drivers can accidentally activate Adaptive Cruise Control by lightly brushing their hands over the steering wheel’s capacitive buttons.

      The two named plaintiffs claim they are "terrified and hesitant" to operate their vehicles due to this potential danger.

      What Does VW Say?

      While inadvertently triggering a vehicle’s Adaptive Cruise Control system can be unsettling, VW points out that neither plaintiff has had to cease driving their vehicles because of the claimed issue.

      One plaintiff, Janice Beecher, states that she accidentally brushed the ACC button while entering a parking space, leading her ID.4 to accelerate and hit a tree. VW argues that Beecher did not indicate that she applied the brakes during the incident.

      The company also notes that, despite Beecher's report, the ID.4’s event data recorder showed no evidence that the incident took place.

      Regarding the second plaintiff, Omar Hakkaoui, he claims his wife caused damage to their ID.4 after it unexpectedly accelerated in their driveway. However, VW asserts that Hakkaoui has not claimed that his wife interacted with the ACC buttons on the steering wheel.

      The German automaker contends that the warranty claims in the class action are insufficient and that the plaintiffs have not adequately defined the alleged defect impacting the electric crossover.

      Additionally, VW argues that the lawsuit should not proceed as a class action since the plaintiffs reside in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and cannot represent owners from other states.