Kia Carnival Class Action: Sliding Door Defect Alleged

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Kia, alleging that the sliding doors on their Carnival minivans are defective and pose a safety risk.

Consumers Affected: Owners of Kia Carnival minivans.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

The automatic sliding side doors on 2022-2023 Kia Carnival minivans are dangerously defective, a new lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit alleges that the doors close with excessive force and fail to stop or reverse when obstructed, posing serious safety risks—particularly for children. Despite issuing a recall earlier this year, the lawsuit claims that Kia's solution didn’t fully address the issue, leaving many customers concerned.

Kia Carnival's Sliding Doors Pose Safety Risk, Lawsuit Claims

Rachel and Andrew Langerhans, who filed the proposed class action lawsuit, purchased a new 2022 Kia Carnival SX in late 2021. Soon after, they noticed a problem: the automatic sliding side doors didn’t stop when someone or something, including their children, was in the way. 

The couple sought a fix through Kia's recall in May 2023, but the dealership informed them that the sensor designed to prevent the door from closing only worked from inside the vehicle. According to the lawsuit, the recall did little to resolve the issue, as the doors continued to close with excessive force, putting their children at risk. 

The Langerhans say in the lawsuit they now have to remain extra vigilant when using the vehicle, as they are worried that the defect could cause serious harm.

Kia Accused of Misleading Marketing, Concealing Defect in Family-Friendly Vehicle

Kia marketed the Carnival as a family-friendly vehicle, ideal for transporting large groups and cargo. Features like rear-seat entertainment systems and the ability to view rear passengers from the front console were promoted heavily, especially for families with young children. 

However, the lawsuit alleges that the defect in the sliding doors makes the vehicle unsafe for precisely the customers it targets.

The Langerhans claim that Kia was aware of the defect but failed to disclose it, instead continuing to market the vehicle as reliable and safe. The automaker allegedly had internal data from pre-release testing, customer complaints, and warranty claims that should have prompted them to act sooner. If buyers had known about the potential risks, they may not have purchased the vehicle, or they would have demanded lower prices.

Recall Fails to Address Defect, Leaving Drivers Concerned

In April 2023, following an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia issued a recall for the sliding door defect. The recall acknowledged that the doors' auto-reverse feature "may not activate in all situations" and could cause injuries. However, the recall only made the doors close more slowly and added a beeping noise to signal they were closing, without addressing the excessive force of the doors or the faulty pinch sensors.

The lawsuit argues that the recall was insufficient because it didn’t make the doors safer or easier to stop when obstructed, particularly by children or pets who may not apply enough force to trigger the sensor. As a result, the defect remains a major safety hazard, the lawsuit claims.

Automakers Face Pushback From Drivers

The Kia Carnival lawsuit isn’t the only legal battle over vehicle defects. Hyundai and Kia are also facing class action lawsuits over defective headlights that fog up and malfunction, creating dangerous driving conditions at night. 

Similarly, Honda has been sued for defective infotainment systems, while Toyota owners have filed lawsuits over faulty paint jobs on Tacoma trucks. Subaru recently settled a class action over windshields that crack spontaneously, causing major inconvenience for drivers.

In their lawsuit, the Langerhans want to represent drivers nationwide in their claims of breach of warranty, fraud, unjust enrichments, and violations of state consumer protection laws. They are seeking damages, injunctive relief, interest, fees, and costs.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Langerhans, et al. v. Kia Corporation, et al.
• Case Number: 1:24-cv-02994
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Nicholas A. Migliaccio, Jason S. Rathod, and Mark D. Patronella (Migliaccio & Rathod LLP)
• Daniel C. Levin and Nicholas J. Elia (Levin Sedran & Berman)

Have you experienced issues with the sliding doors on your Kia Carnival? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.