Class Action Lawsuit Says HP Wireless Printers Are Defective

Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

A class action lawsuit accusing Hewlett-Packard Co. of manufacturing defective wireless printers has been filed in California federal court.

Plaintiff Vincent Ferranti filed the HP Printer class action lawsuit on Tuesday, August 20, claiming that two of HP’s wireless printers contain a faulty receiver that affects the printers’ ability to maintain a consistent connection with computers, rendering the wireless printing capability essentially ineffective.

Wireless printers work by communicating with computers via a WiFi connection, allowing multiple compatible computers to print documents without being plugged in to the printer. Ferranti claims that users are forced to plug the printer in to a computer in order to print something. “The HP printers’ wireless connectivity intermittently stops working for no reason,” Ferranti says in the class action lawsuit.

The printers named in the class action lawsuit include HP’s Officejet Pro 8500 and 8600 Wireless All-in-One printers. Allegedly, HP either knew or should have known about the connectivity issue by April 2009. According to the class action lawsuit, the computer company “actively concealed” the problem from consumers and continues to sell these printers without warning consumers “that the printer’s wireless function was defective and would fail with normal use.”

Even though the connectivity issues occur while the printers are still under warranty, HP suggests “work-arounds” that are ineffective and refuses to give refunds to unhappy customers. According to the class action lawsuit, HP immediately began to receive complaints about the 8500 printer after its March 2009 release. In his complaint, Ferranti cites numerous posts from online message boards that complain about the connectivity problems. Despite the ongoing issues with the printer, HP released the 8600 model of the printer with the same defective wireless technology.

Ferranti alleges in the HP printer class action lawsuit that he purchased the 8500 printer model shortly after it was released. He quickly became frustrated with the printer’s connectivity problems and repeatedly called HP’s technical support line to troubleshoot the issue. He claims that the agents led him through several procedures that did not fix the problem. Even though his printer was still under warranty, HP refused to repair the printer or refund the purchase price. Ferranti claims that he wouldn’t have purchased the printer if he had known about the defect, or he would have purchased it at a lower price.

Ferranti has contacted HP, the Better Business Bureau, the California Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection without getting results. By filing the class action lawsuit, Ferranti seeks to represent a class of thousands of consumers who purchased or leased the HP Officejet Pro 8500 or 8600 Wireless All-in-One printers. He accuses HP of engaging in unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices, violating the Consumers Legal Remedies Act and breach of express warranty. He seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief to prevent HP from engaging in further deceptive practices regarding these printers.

Ferranti is represented by Michael A. Caddell, Cory S. Fein and Cynthia B. Chapman of Caddell & Chapman.

The HP Printer Class Action Lawsuit is Vincent Ferranti v. Hewlett Packard Co., Case No. 5:13-cv-03847, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.