Audi sued over defective door locks that can lock drivers in or out of vehicles

Audi class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Jay Parikh filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America Inc., doing business as Audi of America Inc.
• Why: Parikh claims Audi sold vehicles with a door lock defect that can cause drivers and passengers to become locked in or out of the vehicles.
• Where: The Audi class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges that certain Audi vehicles have a door lock defect that can cause drivers and passengers to become locked in or out of the vehicles.

Plaintiff Jay Parikh claims the electronic door lock defect affects Audi vehicles from model years 2019 through 2026. The defect is allegedly caused by a malfunctioning electronic locking mechanism and software that intermittently fails, preventing the vehicle’s door-locking mechanism from engaging or releasing.

Parikh argues this defect presents a serious safety issue for passengers, as they can be trapped in the vehicles after an accident or on a hot sunny day. 

Conversely, when the door-locking mechanism fails to engage, the vehicles cannot be secured, leaving them vulnerable to theft, the Audi class action lawsuit alleges.

Class action claims Audi knew about door lock defect

Parikh claims Audi has been aware of the door lock defect since at least 2019 but has failed to recall the vehicles or announce the defect to the public. Audi and its authorized dealerships do not forewarn purchasers about the defect, he says.

The Audi class action lawsuit points to complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as evidence that Audi has been on notice of the defect.

Parikh says he purchased a 2021 Audi e-tron in 2024 and began experiencing the locking defect shortly after purchasing the vehicle. In one incident, Parikh says his infant son became trapped in the back seat of the vehicle while he and his wife were locked out.

Parikh says he took the vehicle to Audi dealerships at least three times to repair the defect, and two door latches were replaced, but the defect continues to manifest.

The Audi class action lawsuit asserts claims for violation of California consumer protection laws, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act as well as negligence, product liability and breach of warranty.

Parikh seeks to represent a nationwide class and California subclass of current and former owners and lessees of the affected Audi vehicles. He demands a jury trial and requests compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief to remedy the alleged defect.

Earlier this year, four consumers sued Volkswagen and Audi over allegations their vehicles equipped with the EA888 2.0-liter TSI engine have an oil consumption defect that causes carbon buildup.

What do you think about the allegations made in this Audi class action lawsuit? Tell us in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Tina Wolfson, Robert R. Ahdoot, Theodore Maya and Lisa Cintron of Ahdoot & Wolfson P.C.

The Audi class action lawsuit is Parikh v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Case No. 2:26-03288, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Hilton, LinkedIn, PNC Bank, Wells Fargo face class actions over alleged pixel tracking, privacy violations
• Natori class action claims misleading email subject lines about sale deadlines
• Wawa recalls milk products due to potential plastic contamination
• Wayfair sued in class action over ’30-day returns’ policy on non-returnable items