Dynamic Accident Lawyers: BMW Faces ‘Soft Close’ Automatic Door Defect Class Action Lawsuit

BMW of North America LLC faces a putative class action lawsuit stemming over allegations that the convenience feature of the “soft close” automatic door closure is dangerous because it is lacking basic safeguards.

Lead plaintiff Avi Azoulai filed the BMW class action lawsuit in December and the complaint was removed to federal court on Wednesday. According to the BMW lawsuit, Azoulai suffered from a physical injury due to the alleged faulty door technology.

The BMW defect class action lawsuit claims that Azoulai, who drives a 2014 BMW 750Li, accidentally had his finger in between the door opening when the “soft close” feature lightly pushed the door to the closed position.

Azoulai alleges that had it been a traditional door, he would have suffered minor pain but the door would have stopped. However, because the “soft close” technology lacks sensors or safeguards, the door was pulled firmly closed on the plaintiff’s finger which required a trip to the emergency room, Azoulai claims.

The soft close feature is typically a part of a larger package and is marketed as way to reduce noise while shutting car doors. The BMW lawsuit states that when the vehicle door is within 6 mm of the lock, the technology pulls the door to a close and locks it.

The BMW “soft close” convenience feature is reportedly installed in the following vehicles:

2002 – 2016 BMW 7 Series
2004 – 2016 BMW 6 Series Coupe
2004 – 2016 BMW 6 Series Convertible
2008 – 2016 BMW X5
2009 – 2016 BMW X6
2010 – 2016 BMW 5 SeriesGT
2011 – 2016 BMW 5 Series
2013 – 2016 BMW 6 Series GC
(and M models of all named vehicles)

According to the BMW class action lawsuit, the car manufacturer knew about the alleged defect since 2002 through pre-release testing data and early consumer complaints. However, the lawsuit states that the car company has not informed the public about the defect despite numerous complaints from car owners.

Azoulai is claiming the following law violations: breach of warranty, Song-Beverly Consumer Act and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act violations as well as California consumer protection and unfair competition laws.

The BMW lawsuit is seeking a minimum of $1,000 for each Class Member.

If approved, the BMW “soft close” class action lawsuit would be open to all Class Members in the U.S. who purchased or leased, or will purchase or lease, a subject vehicle, on or after BMW released the cars onto the marketplace. The plaintiff is also seeking to represent a California Class that will consist of Class Members within the state who purchased or leased, or will purchase or lease, a subject vehicle, on or after BMW released the cars onto the marketplace.

Azoulai is represented by Hovanes Margarian of The Margarian Law Firm.

The BMW “Soft Close” Automatic Door Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Azoulai v. BMW of North America LLC, Case No. 5:16-cv-00589, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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