According to a lawsuit filed in New Jersey, the capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel can reactivate the adaptive cruise control with just a slight touch – such as when the driver’s hand inadvertently brushes the sensitive area.
One plaintiff stated that her ID.4 suddenly accelerated while turning into a parking spot, as her hand accidentally touched the button. The collision caused over $14,000 worth of damage to the car’s undercarriage and injured the owner’s hand.
Another owner experienced a similar situation and crashed into their garage door while parking.
Although there are only two named plaintiffs, the lawsuit cites numerous other reports from ID.4 owners to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These reports include sudden acceleration, erratic behavior of the automatic emergency braking system, and collision-related injuries – most of which occurred during parking maneuvers.
One owner reported in August 2023:
“As I was turning out of a roadside parking spot, my finger lightly touched the cruise control button. Since I had previously used the system, the cruise control automatically reactivated and the car accelerated even though I wasn’t pressing the accelerator. Luckily, I was able to brake in time.”
Not everyone has been so fortunate. Another report from January 2024 states:
“Three times in the past year, the car has suddenly lurched forward while braking and parking. The first time, it went through the lawn. Recently, it again moved forward even though my foot was on the brake – stopping just short of hitting the car in front. This car should not be allowed on the road.”
The lawsuit alleges that Volkswagen violated several consumer protection and warranty laws in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Volkswagen has decided to discontinue the use of touch-sensitive buttons in new vehicles due to numerous complaints, but this does not address the risks posed by the ID.4 vehicles already on the road.
