New automotive technologies enable vehicles to be safer, drive better, and provide an overall better ownership experience. However, they can also be problematic, especially when new, as the all-new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf has demonstrated.

According to Reuters, the German automaker has been forced to halt all deliveries of the new Golf throughout Europe following the discovery of a software problem. What is it, exactly? It involves software in the infotainment system that's used to make emergency calls directly to first responders following an accident, an issue that also recently plagued the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT. This feature has been required by the EU since 2018, so it's not exactly all-new for any automaker.

If it doesn't work properly, then it's illegal for the vehicles to be sold, let alone delivered to buyers. The upcoming all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI, which will be the only member of the new Golf range to be sold in the US, has already been delayed until late 2021 as a 2022 model. That may turn out to be a blessing in disguise regarding this software issue because there's still ample time to get it fixed.

Speaking of which, what is VW's plan on this? At present, the automaker has not yet decided whether it'll issue a recall or a software update. Unfortunately for VW, this isn't the first time the latest Golf has had technical delays.

Just over a year ago, VW claimed there were unresolved software issues involving over-the-air updates and other related interface features. To give you an idea of how complex the new Golf is, it has ten times more lines of code than your typical smartphone.

It's one thing for your smartphone not to function properly, but imagine if your new Golf's interface system was full of bugs. New auto technology is great, but it must work as intended without problems. VW is learning that lesson right now.