What is the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones class action lawsuit about?

The lawsuit claims Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have an inherent hinge defect that can crack and fail at mounting points during normal use, potentially causing earcups to detach from the headband and making the headphones unusable.

Is this a settlement and can I file a claim?

No. This is a lawsuit based on a filed complaint. There is no settlement, no fund, and no claim form at this time.

Ian Kanter v. Sony Corporation of America, et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 1:25-cv-09691-AS.

The complaint proposes a nationwide class of people in the U.S. who purchased Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, and also proposes New York and Nevada subclasses.

What does the complaint allege about warranty repairs?

The complaint alleges Sony often denied warranty service by labeling hinge failures as physical or accidental damage and that some consumers were asked to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacements.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones Hinge Class Action Lawsuit

By Steve Levine

Published: December 26, 2025

Status: Lawsuit Filed (No Settlement Yet)

Claim Form Deadline: Not Available

Proof required: Not Applicable

What is the Sony Headphones Class Action Lawsuit About?

A new class action lawsuit claims certain Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear noise-canceling headphones have a hinge defect that can cause the swiveling hinge to crack or break during normal use.

According to the class action lawsuit, the Sony over the ear headphones hinge mounting points are made with fragile plastic that can fracture over time, which may cause an earcup to detach from the headband. The complaint alleges that once this happens, the headphones can become partially or completely unusable because the earcups can no longer sit properly over a user's ears.

What the Complaint Claims Is Defective

The lawsuit focuses on the Sony headphones' swiveling hinge mechanism that connects each earcup to the headband. The complaint alleges that normal folding, carrying, and wearing can place stress on the hinge and mounting points. Over time, the complaint claims, the internal plastic can crack, deform, or fail, and the hinge may detach. The complaint states that this issue can worsen over time and may not be fully fixed by replacing the hinge with the same part.

What the Lawsuit Claims About Sony's Warranty Handling

The complaint alleges Sony has denied warranty coverage for some consumers by labeling hinge failures as physical or accidental damage rather than a defect in materials or workmanship. The lawsuit also claims some consumers were asked to pay out of pocket for repairs, and that even when repairs were provided, the replacement hinges were the same type of part and could fail again.

Who Filed the Lawsuit?

The complaint was filed by a consumer named Ian Kanter. According to the lawsuit, he bought Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones in November 2022 for about $372.71 and later experienced hinge cracking and failure in or around September 2025. The complaint alleges he contacted Sony for warranty service and was told the damage was physical damage, leading to a denial of warranty repair.

Who May Be Included?

The complaint proposes a nationwide class of people in the United States who purchased Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. It also proposes subclasses for New York and Nevada purchasers. Class definitions can change as the case proceeds.

Important Note About Claims and Payments

This is not a settlement. There is no settlement fund, and there is no claim form to submit right now. If a settlement is reached later, we will update this page with deadlines and claim instructions.

How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?

Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:

Official Complaint PDF

Sources

• U.S. District Court, S.D.N.Y., Ian Kanter v. Sony Corporation of America, et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-09691-AS
• Class Action Complaint (filed Nov. 20, 2025)

Filing Class Action Settlement Claims

Please submit only truthful information. False claims can be rejected and may carry penalties. If you are unsure whether you qualify, review the official filings. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site and is not a settlement administrator or a law firm.

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Class Action Summary
Status	Lawsuit Filed (No Settlement Yet)
Claim Form Deadline	Not Available
Category	Consumer Product Defect
Product	Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones
Alleged Issue	Swiveling hinge cracks or detaches during normal use
Estimated Payout per Person	Not Available
Case Number	1:25-cv-09691-AS
Case Title	Ian Kanter v. Sony Corporation of America, et al.
Court	U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Complaint Filed	Nov. 20, 2025
Complaint PDF	Official Class Action Lawsuit - Complaint Document