Hisense 4K Android TV Problems Spark Class Action Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit alleges thousands of Hisense 4K Android smart TVs sold since 2019 are equipped with a defective main board that can cause lagging, sluggishness and continuous software crashing. 

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The 50-page lawsuit against Hisense USA Corp. accuses the company of failing to disclose to the public that the smart TVs at issue, all of which use the Android TV/Google TV operating system (OS), suffer from crippling performance problems—including unresponsiveness and an inability to turn on, reset to factory settings, or download or launch apps—and simply do not work as advertised. 

According to the complaint, Hisense continues to sell the TVs (affected models listed below) despite being fully aware of these performance woes, which the lawsuit claims were exacerbated by firmware updates implemented around July 2020 for the televisions’ operating system.

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Indeed, Hisense has not recalled the defective main boards, reimbursed TV owners, or even acknowledged the existence of the performance problems, the suit stresses. The lawsuit adds that owners of the Hisense TVs have also been turned away from receiving repairs when they notify the defendant about the issues. 

“Instead, Hisense denies there is a problem or ignores customer queries from affected customers,” the suit claims, adding that the company “continues to choose financial gain at the expense of consumers.” 

Further, the case contests that a large number of TVs “that will not be recalled but … are at risk of experiencing the [d]efect” present a “major safety concern” given that an internet-connected smart TV that is not timely updated (and which may be storing consumer payment information) is at risk of a data breach. 

Ultimately, Hisense’s continued “inaction and silence” concerning the main board defect has left many consumers unaware that they are buying an unreliable television, the lawsuit summarizes. 

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Hisense smart TVs are “unfit” for use, lawsuit says 

The Hisense televisions at the center of the lawsuit utilize the Android TV/Google TV OS, which includes a user interface for navigating and interacting with the device, downloading and installing apps, browsing the internet, playing music and video, and more, the filing explains. Per the suit, a four-core processor handles the processing of these functions, while firmware updates to the Google OS are downloaded to address any glitches or stability issues and provide security patches. 

The main board within a Hisense television is a circuit board that connects the audio and video inputs and outputs, processes these signals, and relays to the power board to turn the backlight on, turn off the TV, and apply the appropriate voltage to the rest of the system, the lawsuit relays. 

A properly working Hisense TV should allow a consumer to quickly and effectively switch between streaming apps and content, the suit adds. 

The alleged main board defect plaguing the Hisense TVs, however, causes sluggish performance, as well as frequent shutdowns and reboots, all of which interfere with a user’s ability to operate their television as they have been reasonably led to expect.

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According to the complaint, consumers’ Hisense TVs became sluggish “a few months after purchase,” and the alleged problems were made worse following July 2020 firmware updates when the TVs’ OS was updated. 

“Reasonable consumers expect that a television’s main board—which is central to the television’s functioning—will last the lifetime of the television,” the lawsuit states, noting that many Hisense TV buyers have spent hundreds of dollars on fruitless, defect-related repairs. 

One-year warranty for Hisense TVs is “unconscionable,” suit claims 

The Hisense smart TVs at issue were all apparently sold with a one-year limited warranty. The case calls the warranty “unconscionable” given its short time limit and the fact that Hisense allegedly knew of the main board defect at various points, including during design and manufacture and when consumer complaints began to roll in. 

“Still, Hisense opted not to warn, disclose, or otherwise inform the potential or eventual purchasers about the Defect,” the case alleges. “Hisense continues to refuse disclosure of this known defect to this date on newly sold Class Smart TVs.” 

Which Hisense TVs are included in the class action?

The Hisense smart TVs covered by the lawsuit include all 2019-present Hisense 4K Google OS Smart TVs sold in the United States, including the H8, F and G series; H9, F and G series; H65; U6, including the U6H and U6K models; U8, including the U8N model, and A6 series televisions.

Who can join the Hisense lawsuit? 

The Hisense lawsuit looks to cover all United States residents who bought any of the Hisense smart TVs listed above. 

How do I sign up for the lawsuit? 

There’s nothing you need to do to join or sign up for the Hisense TV class action. It’s typically only if and when a class action suit settles that “class members” need to act, typically by filling out and filing a claim form online or by mail.

Should there be a Hisense smart TV settlement, ClassAction.org will provide an update. 

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