Anne Bucher  |  November 3, 2015

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

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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 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
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

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127 thoughts onFord, Lincoln Spark Plug Class Action Settlement

  1. Trametris Curry says:

    My husband has a 2008 Ford expedition that we are on the 3rd spark plug change as of two weeks ago. We submitted paperwork for this issue to be reimbursed a year ago before the deadline and magically we get a letter two weeks ago stating they need more information magically pass the deadline. I’m going to every social forum to tell everyone about the disgust we fell for this problem that ford knew existed. Never by Ford again.

    1. Dedric Kelly says:

      My Mark Lt the same as everyone else.Never ford again!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Bryant T. Nash says:

    To my knowledge I NEVER received a notice on the spark plug problem. My 2007 F-150 has been trouble free up until recently when I found out from my mechanic about the spark plug problem and law suit. I had four broken spark plugs but the mechanic recommended I replace them all as I would probably be back to replace the others. My total cost was $1,229.83. It appears the cut off date eliminates a lot of claims for repairs done after that date. I feel every claim should be addressed without question, especially, if you were the original owner and Ford knew of the problem which I understand they did.

  3. Kory Ober says:

    I sent everything in before the deadline with receipts, and received nothing. I think this is a major scam and should be checked out by somebody.
    This administrator is facing some major litigation from a lot of people, if they don’t get the process rolling.

  4. barb says:

    Hi well I am too late to join the suit. Does anyone know how to fix the problem? I have been hearing about spark plug sleeves.

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      Unfortunately, the deadline to submit a claim has passed. You can contact the settlement administrator or class counsel with any questions about the settlement.

      1. Bryant T. Nash says:

        You can do that but we were told it was past the deadline and maybe we shouldn’t buy a Ford. Wasn’t that nice. I think I am going to see what Ford thinks of that.

  5. Pete says:

    I never received a post card from anyone about this!!! I have a 2006 F150 (5.4 liter 3 valve engine) bought it brand new! Just yesterday (3/27/2017) I paid $670 because it had 3 BROKEN spark plugs! Does anyone know who I can get in contact with about this?

    1. T_Bone says:

      You can start here I guess:
      http://www.fordsparkplugsettlement.com/

      You may have missed the deadline. Not sure though.

  6. Jane says:

    Who do you contact for information on your claim?

  7. T_Bone says:

    I got my check today. Spent $1,201.59.
    Check amount. $73.60

    Reading the settlement agreement I follow the 75% formula for being over $1,000.00.

    Calculate per plug cost with the formula $1200/8 = $150 per plug.
    Calculate reimbursement:
    (((($150 – $125) x 0.75) + $36.25) x 8) = $440.00

    Their own formula in the agreement shows I should have gotten $440.00. Can anyone shed some light on why this is not what the check was for? Or at least double check my math and explain where I went wrong.

    1. Brian Ohanesian says:

      You got more than I did . $ 9.28. For plugs that cost me over a grand. I’m pissed. I will be appealing my check.

    2. T_Bone says:

      I sent a letter in to the address that comes with the check. There is an appeal option if you don’t agree with the check amount but that appeal post mark date can be no later than 4/16/2017. Seems like they want me to cash this shitty little check and accept it. The check also states on it that it is void after 6 months. The pace with which they processed the payment in the first pace leads me to believe they will be trying to scam people out of the money. Based on their track record by the time they respond to my letter the check will be void.

  8. Jim says:

    Just got my check after submitting my paperwork in late 2015. I see a lot of complaints about the amount of the payment, but the terms of settlement do not stipulate payment of the full amount of the repair – only 20% of the amount above $300. So a person with $600 in eligible repairs should get a check for $60. ($600 – $300) x 20%. Further details can be found on pages 12 and 13 of the Settlement Document.

    http://www.fordsparkplugsettlement.com/CaseDocuments.html

  9. Jane says:

    Any updates on the claim?

  10. Billy morgan says:

    I never received an email or paper work about this now I need a tune up what can be done about it

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      You may want to contact class counsel with your concerns and questions. This article has a link to the settlement website, which lists class counsel contact information in the FAQs. Good luck!

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.