Kia Carnival Owners Slam Sliding Door Defect in Court Battle

The complaint centers around the automatic sliding doors equipped with pinch sensors designed to detect obstacles and prevent the door from closing if something or someone is in the way. According to the lawsuit, these sensors fail to function properly, allowing the doors to close with excessive force. This defect allegedly led to several reported injuries, including broken arms and thumbs.

Kia issued a recall for the sliding door issue in April 2023, which affected more than 51,000 Kia Carnival vehicles. The recall involved a software update that slowed the door’s closing speed and added warning chimes to alert passengers when the door was in motion. However, the plaintiffs argue that these changes did not address the core problem — the force required to activate the pinch sensors remained too high, making it difficult for small children, pets, or individuals with disabilities to stop the doors from closing on them.

The lawsuit claims that Kia violated both express and implied warranties and failed to remedy the defect sufficiently. Plaintiffs Rachel and Andrew Langerhans, who purchased their Kia Carnival in 2021, stated that they have had ongoing concerns about the safety of the sliding doors, even after the recall repair was performed. They are seeking damages, including legal fees, and are pushing for a jury trial.

In their lawsuit, the Langerhans allege that they would not have purchased the minivan or paid significantly less for it had they been aware of the defect. Additionally, many other Carnival owners have reportedly suffered injuries from the faulty doors. The plaintiffs also argue that Kia has been unresponsive to warranty claims, insisting that the doors function normally despite the continuing risks.

This lawsuit follows an investigation by the NHTSA, which looked into the sliding door sensors after receiving complaints of injuries. Though engineers from both Kia and third-party firms concluded that the doors were operating as designed, Kia moved forward with the recall to enhance customer awareness about the automatic doors' behavior. Despite these efforts, the lawsuit claims that the recall did not fix the root cause of the problem.

The outcome of this legal battle could have significant financial consequences for Kia, especially if the class-action suit gains momentum. As the case unfolds, Carnival owners affected by the sliding door defect will likely watch closely to see if the court rules in their favor and awards the damages they seek.

This lawsuit raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of recalls and automakers' accountability for ensuring passenger safety. Kia now faces the challenge of addressing the issue once more, this time under legal scrutiny.