Dell class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Rachel Gunter filed a class action lawsuit against Dell Technologies Inc.
- Why: Dell allegedly concealed a hinge defect in its Inspiron 2-in-1 devices.
- Where: The Dell class action lawsuit was filed in Maryland federal court.
- What are my options: Try Microsoft for alternatives to Dell.
Dell Technologies Inc. is facing a class action lawsuit alleging its Inspiron 2-in-1 hybrid laptops have a defective hinge system that fails prematurely.
Plaintiff Rachel Gunter says the Inspiron 2-in-1 hinge defect prevents the laptop from opening and closing, and “deprives owners of the devices’ defining feature: the ability to be configured as either a tablet or laptop.”
When the Dell Inspiron laptop hinges seize and fail, the plastic bezel surrounding the screen can crack, Gunter says. The laptop screen itself can also crack due to the hinge defect, the Dell class action lawsuit alleges.
Dell conceals Inspiron hinge defect from consumers, Dell class action says
Gunter says Dell should have known about the hinge defect through durability testing of the product and from consumer complaints about the product.
However, Dell conceals the defect from consumers, according to the Dell class action lawsuit.
“Indeed, even when consumers advise Dell that the defect has manifested in [their Dell Inspiron laptops], Dell denies that the defect exists and asserts hinges only fail when misused (and, thus, are not covered by warranty),” the Dell class action lawsuit states.
Gunter says she purchased a Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 device in September 2020 after viewing multiple advertisements touting the 360-degree hinge rotation and touch screen features and researching other laptop options.
At no point in her research did she learn that the Dell Inspiron device had a hinge defect that could significantly affect its functionality, the Dell class action lawsuit alleges.
Less than a year after she purchased the Dell Inspiron, Gunter says the right hinge on the device began to pull apart from the laptop screen. As the hinge defect worsened over time, Gunter says she was unable to close the device and has not been able to use it for its intended purpose.
When she contacted Dell seeking warranty coverage for the defect, she was reportedly told that she would need to mail the device to Dell and pay for the repairs.
Had she known about the Dell Inspiron defect, Gunter says she would not have purchased the device or would have paid much less for it.
The Dell class action lawsuit asserts claims for violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, violation of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, unjust enrichment, and fraudulent omission or concealment.
In 2010, Dell settled a class action lawsuit alleging some of its Inspiron notebook computers were defective and failed prematurely.
Have you had issues with the hinges in a Dell Inspiron device? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Gunter is represented by James P. Ulwick of Kramon & Graham PA, Joseph G. Sauder and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC, and Daniel O. Herrera and Olivia A. Lawless of Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP.
The Dell Inspiron class action lawsuit is Rachel Gunter, et al. v. Dell Technologies Inc., Case No. 1:23-cv-00937-JKB, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
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33 thoughts onDell class action alleges Inspiron 2-in-1 has defective dual hinge system
We purchased the Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 16” IPS LED FHD Touch Screen Laptop – Intel Core Ultra 7 with 16GB Memory – 1TB SSD – Ice Blue, for our daughter on 6-22-2024. It was supposed to last her for her college duration. We purchased it from Best Buy in Anderson, SC. with a 3 year ADH service plan. Our daughter came home for the summer and was returning to college on 8-09-2025. On 8-06-2025, she opened the computer and the left hinge broke. We researched the problem and read that it was a common defect, so we took it back to Best Buy since we had the three year ADV coverage. I was told that it would have to be sent to Kentucky and could take 2-4 weeks. We were devastated since she was returning to school in just a few days. The Geek Squad technician said it was a common problem but would have to send it off. So, we had to purchase another computer to make do until hers was repaired. Several days later I received word from Kentucky, that they were waiting on the “parts” and would keep us updated. This morning at 2:47 am, I received an email stating, “The costs to repair your product have now reached your plan’s maximum benefit amount. This means the terms of your plan have been fulfilled and your Geek Squad® Protection Plan coverage has ended.” I called Best Buy and they stated the repair for the hinge was over $900.00, which fulfilled our maximum benefit and that ended our three-year coverage. That’s another issue, but for this hinge-thing to be so common, why would the repair cost more than the new computer. It feels like we’ve been scammed by Dell and Best Buy.
So disappointed with Dell Inspiron 15 3511 cover and hinges!!! Can provide photos. Just wondering if I can get replacement from Dell before buying it from E-bay…or some compensation…
I purchased a Dell – Inspiron 15.6″ Laptop – Intel Core i5 – 12GB Memory – 512GB SSD on Jul 27, 2020 and paid
$834.59 for it. I am a senior citizen living on Social Security and it was an expensive computer for me. It always felt stiff and I thought it just needed to be broken in. Well the right hings finally gave out. I taped the computer to try to continue using it. I went on the DELL community board and read that everyone was having the same problem. At the time, I needed the computer so I kept taping it to keep it together. It finally gave out and I have nothing on the screen. Can’t do anything with it and am furious. I even wrote to Michael Dell because I was so disappointed in this computer. He never answered me. Help!
Owned two Dell Inspiron. Bought in 2020 and 2021. Hinges broke on both.
We purchased Dell Inspiron 15 3520 laptop from Costco in December of 2022. Exactly in two years (right after Costco 2 years warranty has expired) laptop hinges got broken. After searching the web in attempt to fix it, we found that this problem is very common for Dell laptops. When we disassembled our laptop to get an access to the hinges, we found that it is clearly a design flow. If you are a very mediocre mechanical engineer, you will immediately understand that an idea to use self-tightening hinge pins is a complete nonsense. This pin supposed to be tight to the extend it can keep a laptop cover open. But if this pin with time get tighter and tighter, it would provide more and more stress to the screws attaching hinge to the laptop cover. Those screws are screwed to the plastic nests, which eventually break because of stress, and loose hinge damages other laptop parts. Who would design plastic nests for screws under stress? Dell did!
It is really surprising that Dell has such a design flow for years and simply ignores it. If Dell’ approach is to force consumers to purchase a next Dell product when an original one got broken, they are absolutely wrong: we would never purchase a Dell product again.
We urge attorneys to initiate a corresponding class action lawsuit. Dell should learn the lesson!
Broken hinges on Dell Inspiron 15 3511 which I bought from Costco in 2021. Tried returning it Costco but they wouldn’t take it back.
Broken hinges and screen on Dell Inspiron 3000 (3521) Laptop. Shipped July 21, 2023. Condition: New. $590.04.
Background info & more than you probably want to know:
I’m retired on fixed income & saved to buy granddaughter laptop grad gift to take to college. She received it 7/30/2023. However, a little before end of 2024 school year she noticed it’s wobbly at hinges and screen flickering and now the left hinge is completely broke, gets worse each time she opens and closes, Its hanging on my a “thread,” the screen tearing off, and right hinge starting same thing. She didn’t want to upset me and thought screen flickering was the Wifi in her college apartment! (She’s not techy. She’s an athlete so she utilizes her laptop mostly for studies). At that point hinge was still somewhat attached enough she could use it but her screen would flicker and go black and she would turn off and then back on. She barely used this summer but now back at college (Fall 2024). She finally told me last weekend while visiting at home and trying to do her homework and I saw it. The left hinge barely hanging on, screen torn and flickers, and right hinge is starting to do same thing. My heart sank as i threw away $600. I had not renewed the warranty. After researching on the web, seeing Class Action suits, complaints on Dell communities, and Amazon, I see this is a known issue with Dell and they are not taking responsibility. Reason we bought Dell was their quality and trusted name. She is on a scholarship and financial aid and must have a laptop to do her studies. She said she has not dropped it, careful with it, and always has it in laptop case in backpack. She only opens and close it and types on it. She might have one game on it. She felt it was her fault for some reason and didn’t want to upset me because she knows how much I wanted her to have a nice laptop. It would cost more to fix it. But I can’t afford a new laptop and neither can she.
Dell even has a disclaimer on their website about not being responsible for hinges and screen breakage. From my perspective, that’s the same as admitting wrong doing and taking advantage of people. They certainly are aware of their poor customer service and manufacturing of this laptop. They even say it may not be covered under the warranty. It has to be examined.
As a side note, I recently had an IT professional tell me the Intel Celeron N4020 they put in it is low grade. Like putting a lawnmower engine in a car. But that’s just his 40 year experience in computers. But that actually can be overlooked for now because she only has her homework on it and that’s mostly all saved to the cloud but the hinges and screen is a whole other issues.
I have the invoice to prove my purchase. It’s registered on the Dell website under her name.
Dell should take responsibility and given entire money back on these laptops or given an equivalent but with improved hinges.
The more you search, the more you find on this issue, however, this case appears to have been resolved in a settlement. So much for a class action machine recall or resolution. I purchased an Inspiron 14 two and half years ago for $800 plus. Last week I opened the screen and was met with some resistance as the right side hinge refused to budge. The hinge had froze in an offset position, lifted in the right corner and pulling the bottom frame plastic strip away from supporting the screen. The software is fine. I called Customer Support. They offered a $200 plus cost to me, minimum solution, taking approx. 3 weeks of overall turnaround (disuse) time. Today, that is the best they offer customers for this problem.