One person reportedly suffered a broken arm after the door closed on them

Automatic sliding doors are one of those modern conveniences designed to make family life easier, especially when you have your hands full or the kids are climbing in and out. But what happens when this feature turns from a convenience to a potential safety hazard? That’s the issue at the heart of a new class action lawsuit in the US that claims the sliding doors for 2022 and 2023 Kia Carnival poses a “serious risk of bodily harm”, putting passengers at risk.

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The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, alleges that these Carnival models are equipped with a defective pinch sensor installed along the rubber seal on the edge of the doors. In theory, these sensors should detect any obstruction in the door’s path and prevent it from closing if something (or someone) is in the way.

The lawsuit claims that at Carnival The grip sensor often fails to recognize obstacles, leaving the only way to stop the door mid-close is to forcefully press the grip sensor.

Kia issued a recall for the allegedly defective doors in April 2023. However, the class action alleges that this recall was “ineffective” because it was a simple software update that made the door close more slowly while also adding warning bells. The plaintiffs claim it did not affect the force required to trigger the pinch sensor.

The recall involved 51,568 2022 and 2023 model year Carnivals delivered to the United States. At the time, Kia said it had received reports of 9 injuries related to the faulty pinch sensor, including one where an individual’s thumb was fractured and another when someone’s arm was broken after the door closed on them.

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The lawsuit alleges that many customers would not have bought the Carnival if they had known about the fault or paid substantially less for the minivan. The plaintiffs accuse Kia of breach of both express and implied warranty, along with claims of fraud, unjust enrichment and violations of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.

Now, they’re pushing for a jury trial, seeking damages, interest and full legal fees. For Kia, what started as a minor software recall could turn into a costly courtroom showdown if this class action gains momentum.