AirPods Pro Lawsuit: Apple Accused of Selling Defective Earbuds

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Apple's first-generation AirPods Pro suffer from a persistent audio defect, and the company misled consumers about the product's quality.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased first-generation AirPods Pro with the audio defect.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Apple is facing a class action lawsuit regarding its first-generation AirPods Pro, which plaintiffs allege suffer from a persistent audio defect. 

Filed on November 1 in the Northern District of California, the lawsuit claims that Apple misrepresented the quality and reliability of the AirPods Pro, as many users reported crackling, static, and other audio issues soon after the product’s release. 

AirPods Pro Suffer From Audio Defect, Lawsuit Claims

Apple released the AirPods Pro in October 2019, promoting them as wireless earbuds with high-quality sound and advanced noise cancellation. Soon after, some customers began to experience crackling, static, and other sound distortions, particularly when using the AirPods in louder environments or while moving. The problems reportedly also impacted the device’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature, one of the main selling points of the AirPods Pro.

In response to customer complaints, Apple launched a service program in October 2020. This program allowed users with AirPods Pro units manufactured before October 2020 to get their defective earbuds repaired or replaced. 

Apple acknowledged that users might experience certain issues, such as crackling sounds, in specific settings but limited the service to units produced during the initial release period. The lawsuit, however, argues that the audio issues extend beyond this initial batch and affect a much broader range of first-generation AirPods Pro units. 

Plaintiffs Lindsey Labella, Michael Pawson, and Stacey Rodgers claim that Apple was aware of the defects affecting many users but did not provide enough coverage or information for all who might be impacted.

Apple Accused of Misleading Consumers About AirPods Pro Quality

The lawsuit alleges that Apple was aware of the audio defects in the AirPods Pro but continued to market the product as having premium sound quality. Plaintiffs argue that Apple’s emphasis on high-quality audio and noise cancellation led customers to pay a premium price, trusting they were purchasing a reliable product.

According to the complaint, if customers had known about these potential sound issues, they would have either chosen not to purchase the AirPods Pro or would have expected to pay less. The lawsuit claims that by not disclosing the full extent of the defect, Apple misled consumers, who were left to discover the limitations of the product on their own.

Lawsuit Alleges Apple Violated Consumer Protection Laws

The plaintiffs argue that Apple’s handling of the AirPods Pro’s audio issues violates multiple consumer protection laws. They point to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and similar consumer protection laws in Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania, asserting that Apple failed to uphold the product’s promised quality.

Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, products sold in California must meet certain quality standards. The lawsuit claims that the audio defect in the AirPods Pro Gen 1 falls short of these standards and that Apple did not inform customers adequately, leaving some unaware of their options under the service program.

Consumers Seek Compensation for Defective AirPods Pro

The AirPod Pro class action lawsuit seeks damages for consumers who purchased first-generation AirPods Pro with the audio defect, as well as costs and fees related to the lawsuit. Additionally, the plaintiffs request that Apple be required to repair or replace all affected AirPods Pro units or provide compensation to those who experienced these issues. 

They believe that the AirPods Pro did not meet the premium standard Apple promoted, and that customers who bought them should be made whole for any inconvenience and expense.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Labella et al. v. Apple, Inc.
• Case Number: 5:24-cv-07588-NC
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Annick M. Persinger, Emily Feder Cooper, Andrea R. Gold, and Anna C. Haac (Tycko & Zavareei LLP)
• Patrick Brickman and Frank Bartela (Dworken & Bernstein Co., L.P.A.)

Have you experienced audio issues with your first-generation AirPods Pro? Share your experience in the comments below.