Volvo faces class action suit for leaky sunroof design
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Volvo is set to face a class action suit from thousands of customers across the United States claiming that Volvo was aware of a sunroof defect while the cars were still being sold, without recall or repair of the issue.
In the class action, filed in New Jersey by eight individuals on behalf of the class action against Volvo Cars North America, LLC, and Volvo Car Corporation, the individuals state that Volvo was aware of a defect in the sunroof design that allowed water to leak through the roof and onto electrical sensors and wires that were safety-related.
The case claims that Volvo had knowledge of the defect due to numerous complaints from drivers of the six identified models, including the “S40, S60, S80, V50, V70 (model years 2004 to present), XC9O (model years 2003 to present), and V50 (model years 2005 to present)”. They also allege that the defect was noted in internal communications at Volvo and in service bulletins.
Each of the plaintiffs in the case have faced hefty expenses trying to repair the defect, all without the protection of a warranty as they were told the repair was not covered. Payments for repair work and adjustments ranged anywhere from $100 for the sunroof drain to be unclogged to a whopping $1,200 to replace the interior carpet.
U.S. District Judge Dennis Cavanaugh has overseen the case and the appeals for class-action, denying dismissal of class action from Volvo and denying a national class-action, but approving the right for patrons to file a state class-action against the company, opening the door for other Volvo customers across the country to take similar action in their states as well.