Kia Must Face Class Claims of Safety Defect in Minivan Doors

Kia Corp. failed to ditch a proposed class action claiming that the automatic sliding doors on its 2022 Carnival minivans are defective and pose a risk to small children.

Rachel Langerhans doesn’t need to show any physical injury has occurred to establish her claims because she sufficiently alleged that the design of the vehicle’s pinch sensors is defective, Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher of the US District Court for the District of Maryland said Tuesday.

Technicians determined the sensors on Langerhans’ 2022 Carnival were operating properly when she took it in during an April 2023 recall, and explained they’re only ...