I decided to get this range despite the fact that I agree this is a problem. I am pretty sure there is a way to lock it into position so that it doesn't turn on, but I agree that it is a design flaw. I don't have little kids, but I still am not crazy about this feature. Ck the manual - it should be in there.

I have kitchenaid slide-in range - you can not only lock the side buttons but also top burners. Very easy to do - you should have a 'lock' button and you just press for 5 consecutive seconds and a red light comes on indicating the buttons are 'locked'

Same problem. A week after living with this range I called KA because I almost set myself on fire. I was talking to a friend and leaned against the knobs and they turned on and singed my jacket sleeve.

They apologized and agreed the knobs were a problem. They sent a KA repair man who installed small rubber pieces to the knob stems. It makes the knobs difficult to turn.

This was 2 years ago. Apparently, they still haven't corrected this problem. I'm amazed.

The rubber helps, but if you lean against them, they could turn on, just not as easily. Call them right away.

Jane

I'm sorry, I just reread your post and you were talking about the control panel. Mine requires three steps to turn on the oven. I need to hit Oven-temp-start. Mine never turned on accidentally. The burners did.

Jane

Yes, I have a KitchenAid slide in range. It's 4 years old and HAD the same problem. When I called, they sent out some gaskets to add to each knob. Customer can install them but a repair person was coming out anyway to fix the vibration/rattle that the convection fan caused so he installed them. I thought they would have fixed that my now :o
Monica