Ford, Lincoln Spark Plug Class Action Settlement

Ford Motor Co. has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit related to an alleged spark plug defect in certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles. If you are a current or former owner or lessee of a Ford F-150, Ford F-Super Duty truck, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator or Lincoln Mark LT, you may be entitled to compensation from the class action settlement.

The Ford class action lawsuit alleges that the following vehicles with 5.4-liter 3-valve engines contain defects that cause the spark plugs to become stuck and sometimes break in the engine during the removal process:

• 2004-2008 Ford F-150 trucks
• 2005-2008 Ford F-250 trucks
• 2005-2008 Ford F-350 trucks
• 2005-2008 Ford Expeditions
• 2005-2008 Lincoln Navigators
• 2006-2008 Lincoln Mark LTs

According to the Ford class action lawsuit, the spark plug defects make it more difficult and expensive to remove the spark plugs. The plaintiffs assert that Ford should have known that the two-piece spark plugs used in the 5.4-liter 3-valve engines were prone to become stuck and break in the engine during the removal process.

Ford denies the allegations but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the cost and risk of further litigation. The class action settlement provides partial reimbursement for past and future spark plug replacements.

The Ford spark plug class action settlement was preliminarily approved on June 18, 2015.

UPDATE: The Settlement Administrator is in the process of working through the Claim Forms submitted by Class Members. According to the settlement website, checks are expected to be mailed out by late spring 2016.

UPDATE JULY 2, 2016: The “late Spring 2016” update has been removed from the settlement website and replaced with the following: “The settlement administrator is currently processing claims submitted by class members.  Class members will be notified after their claims have been processed.”  Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.  Keep checking back and let us know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Ford spark plug settlement include all current or former owners or lessees of the following vehicles:

• 2004-2008 Ford F-150 trucks
• 2005-2008 Ford F-250 trucks
• 2005-2008 Ford F-350 trucks
• 2005-2008 Ford Expeditions
• 2005-2008 Lincoln Navigators
• 2006-2008 Lincoln Mark LTs

The vehicles covered by the Ford spark plug class action settlement must have been sold or leased in the United States and contain a 5.4 liter 3-valve engine.

Potential Award

Varies. The amount each Class Member is entitled to receive depends upon the cost incurred and any documentation provided.

Class Members who spent more than $300 in parts and labor to replace 8 spark plugs are entitled to partial reimbursement for the documented and unreimbursed amounts paid to a Ford-authorized dealer, third-party repair facility or parts supplier for the parts and labor required to obtain a spark plug replacement.

Under the terms of the class action settlement, “Spark Plug Replacement” means:

• Replacement or attempted replacement of one or more spark plugs that occurred when the vehicle had been driven no more than 120,000 miles; or
• Replacement or attempted replacement of one or more spark plugs that occurred when the vehicle had been driven more than 120,000 miles if an authorized Ford dealership instructed the Class Member to wait to have the spark plugs replaced.

NOTE: If your vehicle has more than 120,000 miles and you have not yet had the spark plugs replaced, you must have the Spark Plug Replacement completed at an authorized Ford dealership no later than Dec. 22, 2015 to be eligible for reimbursement from the class action settlement.

Proof of Purchase

Appropriate documentation of the Spark Plug Replacement is necessary to obtain partial reimbursement from the class action settlement. Such documentation may include a copy of a receipt or other documentation showing:

• The services performed
• The name of the repair facility or dealership that performed the Spark Plug Replacement
• The date of service
• The amount paid
• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the parts number of the replacement spark plugs, or some other indicator that the spark plugs were replaced in a vehicle
• The mileage of the vehicle

Class Members who are unable to submit a copy of a receipt or other documentation may file a claim for reimbursement of up to $50.

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

If you had your spark plugs replaced before you received the Class Notice in the mail, the deadline to file a claim is Aug. 25, 2016.

If you had your spark plugs replaced after you received the Class Notice in the mail, the deadline to file a claim is Feb. 27, 2017.

Case Name

In re: Ford Motor Co. Spark Plug and Three Valve Engine Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 1:12-md-2316, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

Final Hearing

1/25/2016

Settlement Website

www.FordSparkPlugSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Renkim Corporation
Ford Spark Plug Claim Center
P.O. Box 1968
Southgate, MI 48195-0968
1-844-881-0285

Class Counsel

James C. Shah
SHEPHERD FINKELMAN MILLER & SHAH LLP

Jeffrey S. Goldenberg
GOLDENBERG SCHNEIDER LPA

Defense Counsel

Krista L. Lenart
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC