Class Action Claims Cree’s Customers Have Been ‘Cheated Out of Millions’ Due to False LED Lightbulb Longevity Boasts

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An Oregon consumer alleges in a proposed class action lawsuit that Cree Inc.’s LED lightbulbs do not last nearly as long as the company promises.

While Cree claims some of its lightbulbs can last for as long as “45+ years,” the 28-page complaint argues such longevity boasts are no more than a marketing tactic aimed to induce consumers into buying a premium-priced product that burns out far more quickly than advertised.

“To the detriment of the consumer, Cree’s claims regarding the longevity of the LED Lightbulbs are false,” the case reads. “The LED Lightbulbs do not last nearly as long as advertised.”

Independent testing shows that Cree’s LED bulbs can burn out “sometimes within a matter of weeks or months,” the lawsuit says. This range is a far cry from what consumers expect, given that the defendant’s packaging denotes each product comes with a 10-year warranty.

“These representations signal to the customer that the useful life of the product will be at least 10 years or more,” the complaint states.

Per the plaintiff, the lawsuit says the man bought four 100 watt standard A-type Cree bulbs for approximately $15-20 each in October 2015. Within two years, the plaintiff’s bulbs burned out, the suit says, noting the man attempted to contact the defendant through its website to inquire about replacement bulbs but was unsuccessful.