A class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. against automaker Volkswagen

A class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. against the automaker: touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons have been deemed potentially dangerous.

When Volkswagen introduced touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, they were seen as a step into the future: minimalism, innovation, and the elimination of unnecessary details. However, over time, it became clear that this “modernization” brought owners more problems than convenience.

Now, a class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. against the company. At the center of the case are the VW ID.4 electric crossovers, equipped with so-called capacitive touch buttons. Two owners, acting as plaintiffs, claim that driving has become unsafe: a light touch of the hand can accidentally activate adaptive cruise control. As a result, the car begins to operate according to autopilot algorithms without a deliberate command from the driver, which may lead to extremely dangerous situations on the road.

The plaintiffs admit that they are now literally afraid to drive their cars. The lawsuit states that Volkswagen was aware of the problem — as evidenced by customer complaints, internal documents, and information from official dealers. Nevertheless, the company did not take the necessary steps: it did not warn owners about the danger, did not organize free repairs or replacements, and did not offer compensation.

The class action accuses the automaker of deliberately concealing the defect, breaching warranty obligations, and unjust enrichment. In addition, the plaintiffs cite violations of consumer protection laws in several states, including Connecticut and Massachusetts. The documents have already been filed in federal court in New Jersey.

It is worth noting that several years ago, Volkswagen publicly admitted the failure of its touch-sensitive solutions and promised to return to traditional physical buttons. However, for current owners, this does not solve the problem: the nearest model to bring back classic controls is the ID.2all EV, whose debut is expected only in the coming years. This means that fully eliminating these controversial “chaotic” solutions from VW’s lineup may take quite some time.

Thus, the touch-sensitive buttons, which were meant to symbolize progress, have unexpectedly become the subject of lawsuits and a major headache for owners.

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