What was supposed to be Nespresso’s new jewel has ended up causing more headaches than cups of coffee. The world’s most famous coffee brand, with its sophisticated image and that iconic George Clooney saying “What else?”, is now at the centre of a federal class action lawsuit for selling a defective model of its Vertuo coffee machines that leak water and end up completely unusable. And everything points to Nespresso knowing this was happening… but selling it anyway.
A coffee machine turned disappointment
The Vertuo Next hit the market with high expectations: compact design, compatible with different capsules, ideal for small spaces. But the documents filed with the court show clearly that the model starts to fail very quickly. Water leaks where it shouldn’t, and the machine doesn’t complete the coffee brewing.
The lawsuit claims this is not the failure of a single unit, but a design flaw that has been present since the product launched in 2020.
What is the lawsuit asking for?
The suit was filed by Denise Fahey-Ramirez, a Florida user who says she experienced all of these issues. She not only wants a refund, but is asking for broader measures:
- That the machine be officially recognized as defective.
- That sales be suspended unless the product is modified.
- And that all affected consumers be refunded.
In addition, the claim references laws like the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and other regulations concerning deceptive practices.
Does this affect you?
If you bought a Vertuo Next in the United States and experienced leakage or the machine broke down quickly, this case may involve you, especially if you live in Florida, where the lawsuit was filed.
What does Nespresso say?
So far, nothing. The company has not issued any public statements or official communication, although the complaint mentions that they have received many customer service complaints. So they can’t say they didn’t know. They just haven’t done anything. And that silence could end up costing them.
“Contrary to Nespresso’s representations, the Devices are designed and manufactured with an inherent defect that results in water leakage and compromises the ability of the machines to operate as intended,” Fahey said.
Is this an isolated incident?
Unfortunately, this happens more often than it should… Not long ago, Keurig Dr. Pepper was fined $1.5 million for misleading consumers about the recyclability of their K-Cup pods. So the pressure is growing on major coffee brands to be honest and responsible.
What should you do if you have a broken Vertuo Next?
- Check if you still have the receipt or invoice.
- Take photos or videos of the leak or malfunction.
- Follow the legal case (it’s called Fahey-Ramirez, et al. v. Nespresso USA Inc., Case No. 1:25-cv-01684).
- If possible, speak to a lawyer or see if there’s a way to join the lawsuit.
What is a class action lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is when a group of people who have been affected by the same issuecome together to sue a company as a big one. Instead of filling dozens or hundreds of individual cases, they present only one demand, so, they make the process faster and fairer for everyone. If the company loses, it may have to compensate each affected person, even if they didn’t go to court personally.
Nespresso has invested heavily in building a perfect image in the eyes of consumers: elegance, premium flavour, commercials with George Clooney. But when a coffee machine that costs nearly $200 stops working after a short time, the least anyone expects is an apology, a replacement, a solution.
And if the only thing you get is silence, then it’s time to take the legal route. Because a good cup of coffee shouldn’t start with a lawsuit. But sometimes, that’s just how it is. Has this coffee machine defect affected you? Let us know in the comments!
