Wirtz Law Blog

Automaker Nissan recently became the defendant in a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that defects in some Nissan vehicle door locks can trap occupants inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or death in an emergency. 

The Facts of the Nissan Class Action

Khalifa v. Nissan North America was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in March 2025. The named plaintiff is Deena Khalifa, who seeks certification of a class of other Nissan owners who faced similar issues with their vehicles. 

The complaint alleges that for several years, Nissan has engaged in “long-standing concealment of a uniform latent defect in the door lock actuators of several vehicle models.” The 2013 to 2025 Nissan Altima, the 2014 to 2025 Nissan Rogue, and the 2013 to 2025 Nissan Sentra are included in the lawsuit.

According to the complaint, this door lock defect causes the power door locks to fail in several ways. Door locks may fail to hold doors closed, resulting in doors opening when the vehicle is moving. The door locks may lock or unlock “spontaneously,” against the intention or wishes of the vehicle owner. In some cases, the door locks prevent vehicle occupants from opening the doors.

The complaint claims that in some cases, both the door locks and windows have failed simultaneously, giving occupants no way to escape the vehicle. In some instances, occupants could only be freed by a third party applying force from outside the vehicle. 

“Nissan has been aware of the defect and resulting dangers for over a decade but has failed to take adequate corrective action,” the complaint alleges. The complaint also claims Nissaion has failed to “adequately notify” vehicle owners about the issue, to repair the defective locks free of charge, or to reimburse customers for out-of-pocket repair costs. 

The complaint asserts that “legal intervention is also required as a matter of public safety.” It notes that doors flying open while a vehicle is in motion or doors failing to open in an emergency could cause serious harm. 

California Lemon Law and Door Lock Defects

California’s lemon law protects vehicle owners when a vehicle defect cannot be fixed within a reasonable number of repair attempts by a dealership. To qualify, the defect must “substantially impair” typical use, safety, or expected value of a vehicle. 

The type of door lock defects described in the Nissan complaint is a safety issue. If doors do not stay closed during travel, people could fall out of a vehicle. They could also be injured by debris or other objects on the road. A door that flies open during travel could hit another vehicle, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian, causing injuries. 

Similarly, doors must open when occupants need to escape a vehicle for safety reasons. In an emergency, those trapped inside a vehicle could be seriously injured or killed if they have no way to exit. 

The ordinary purpose of a vehicle door is to allow entry and exit into a vehicle at the appropriate times. A vehicle door that functions normally will keep passengers contained when the vehicle is traveling yet also allow them a quick exit in an emergency. 

The defects described in the Nissan complaint fail to allow for either situation. Instead, they create a dangerous situation for vehicle occupants and others on the road. Doors that won’t stay closed during travel or won’t open in an emergency significantly affect the ordinary uses of a passenger vehicle. 

What Should I Do If I Suspect My Nissan is a Lemon?

Under California lemon law, the automaker must make a “reasonable number” of repair attempts without success before a vehicle owner can seek lemon law protection. While a “reasonable number” can vary depending on the issue, it can be as few as two attempts when a problem threatens health or safety. 

First, make sure you’ve sought help from a Nissan dealership. Keep copies of all the paperwork from your dealership visits, including copies of any bills or receipts. If you have other costs, such as towing fees, preserve your paperwork from these as well. California lemon law allows you to seek compensation for these expenses as well as a refund or replacement vehicle. 

If the dealership cannot fix your problem after several attempts, you may have a lemon. Speak to an experienced California lemon law attorney. A lawyer can explain your legal rights and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.