Car manufacturers’ technology and reliability are not just about performance; they are closely linked to consumer safety. Recently, a defect in the door locking system of certain Nissan SUVs and other vehicles has raised concerns among U.S. consumers. This defect, which could cause the doors to open while driving unexpectedly, has created significant controversy due to the serious safety risks it presents.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Nissan in California. The plaintiffs argue that the company knew about the door lock defect but did not notify consumers. The main concern is that this defect could risk passengers’ safety if the doors open unexpectedly while driving. The issue is said to affect multiple Nissan models from 2013 through the 2025 model year, and it seems unlikely to be resolved quickly.
Popular Models, Including Altima and Sentra, Included in Door Defect Class-Action Lawsuit
This lawsuit involves Nissan’s flagship models, the midsize SUV Rogue, the Altima, and the Sentra. It points to defects in these vehicles’ door lock actuator systems, which lead to recurring issues where the doors fail to open or close properly. In some cases, the doors have even opened unexpectedly while driving. This raises serious safety concerns and further intensifies the manufacturer’s liability.
The lead plaintiff, Deena Khalifa, purchased a 2020 Nissan Rogue SUV in March 2020. She claims that had she known about the defect beforehand, she would not have bought the vehicle. Although she has not suffered direct harm from the door lock malfunction, she emphasizes that the manufacturer concealed critical information and demands a jury trial. This issue is considered a serious violation of consumer rights, extending beyond mere dissatisfaction to infringing on the consumer’s freedom to make informed choices.
According to the lawsuit, the door lock defect poses a structural risk: Doors may fail to lock or lock too forcefully, increasing the likelihood of break-ins or accidents. Parents with young children have expressed particular concern, as one owner shared an experience where their 5-month-old baby was trapped in the vehicle, requiring them to break the window to rescue the child. As real-life incidents continue to accumulate, distrust in Nissan is growing.
Repeated Recall Inquiries: Allegations of Concealment
Nissan had previously conducted a recall in the U.S. in 2015 for a door lock defect affecting certain models. The recall, which involved 6,595 vehicles, including the 2015 Sentra, Versa Note, and Rogue, was initially limited, but evidence has since emerged that the defect spread to later models, raising doubts about the company’s sincerity in addressing the issue. This lawsuit highlights an ongoing safety threat rather than a past issue.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also received ongoing reports about the defect. One vehicle owner claimed they could not escape from a suspicious person following them due to a malfunctioning door lock. In another incident, all four doors of a vehicle stopped working, and the owner had to break the window from the outside to get out, which is a serious safety concern.
The situation is more concerning because Nissan was aware of these issues but did not clearly inform consumers. The plaintiffs argue that Nissan hid the defect, its extent, and its seriousness while selling the vehicles for profit. They have filed complaints under California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act and the Unfair Competition Law. This lawsuit will likely be an important test of Nissan’s ability to rebuild consumer trust in the global market.
