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Multiple Ford XL and XLT vehicles have a dashboard that is prone to warping and separating from the vehicle, and despite full-knowledge of the issue Ford has done little to fix it, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
The class action lawsuit was filed in Delaware on May 12 by lead Plaintiffs Joey Mendoza, Julie Deakin, and Michael Zelaska. The group alleges that they were not told about dashboard defects in the 2015-2020 Ford F-150 XL and XLT vehicles when they purchased them, despite the company and dealer knowledge of the issues.
The drivers also said they had been given the run around by the company and were still waiting on a fix, the claim states.
According to the class action lawsuit, the original and replacement dashboards in the vehicles contain manufacturing defects that make them prone to warping and separation from the vehicle, particularly in the area surrounding the defroster vents.
“Despite a landslide of complaints regarding this Defect, Defendant refused to address the issue for years,” states the claim, which says that there had been complaints since 2015. The claim adds that Ford “omitted and/or concealed the existence of the Defect in the Original Dash to increase profits by selling additional Class Vehicles.”
Mendoza leased a new 2018 Ford F-150 XLT in May 2018, and says that the defect was never disclosed to him. By September 2018, he says that the dash was “warped and creaking or rattling as the result of multiple locations on the dashboard where there were gaps between material joints.”
Additionally, the top of the dashboard by the defroster vents began to bubble up and warp, and the issues still exist today, according to the class action lawsuit.
Despite multiple attempts to remedy the situation, Mendoza has been given the run around by Ford, which has said there was no fix to the issue and Mendoza must wait for parts that are on backorder, the claim states. He is currently in a queue for replacement, and there is no projected timeline to when the problem will be fixed, the class action lawsuit says.
“Plaintiff Mendoza has suffered an ascertainable loss as a result of Defendant’s omissions associated with the Defect, including, but not limited to, out of pocket loss associated with the Defect and diminished value of his vehicle.”
Illinois resident Julie Deakin had a similar experience when she purchased a new 2018 Ford F-150 XLT in June 2018.
By September 2018, she noticed that the dash was buckling at the defrost vent area and a large bump had formed near the passenger side air bag by the defrost vent. Like Mendoza, Deakin said that she was given the run around by Ford over parts, and is still waiting for her dash to be replaced.
Michael Zelaska, of Virginia, purchased a new 2018 Ford F-150 XLT in September 2018, and noticed issues with the dashboard in December, according to the claim. After months of hassling Ford and his dealer, Zelaska got a replacement dashboard in February 2020, but despite “the attention and effort focused on the replacement,” a short while after the installation the new dash began to warp, according to the class action lawsuit.
Ford has faced “a landslide of complaints” for the defective dash and has refused to address the issue for years – at least since 2015, the claim states.
In 2019, Ford released a Technical Service Bulletin (“TSB”) calling for replacement of the dashboard, however, according to the claim all of the new dashboards also possessed the defect.
“In other words, Ford has simply replaced one defective dash with another defective dash, failing to address the underlying issue causing the warping and separation, despite Ford’s awareness of and access to a proper remedy—installation of the dash used in the Ford F-150’s more expensive trim packages.”
Mendoza, Deakin, and Zelaska want to represent a nationwide Class of 2015-2020 Ford F-150 XL and XLT owners, and also California, Illinois, and Virginia subclasses. They are suing for violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and state business and consumer protection laws.
They are seeking certification of the Class, injunctive relief, interest, damages, legal fees, and a jury trial.
Do you own a Ford F-150 XL and XLT vehicle? Have you ever experienced any issues with your dashboard? Let us know in the comments section!
Mendoza, Deakin, and Zelaska are represented by Ian Connor Bifferato of The Bifferato Firm, William H. Anderson of Handley Farah & Anderson PLLC, Rebecca P. Chang of Handley Farah & Anderson PLLC, Jon Herskowitz of BARON & HERSKOWITZ, and Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf.
The Ford XL and XLT Defective Dash Class Action Lawsuit is Mendoza, et al. v. Fords Motor Company, Case No. 1:21-cv-00688-UNA, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
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20 thoughts onFord Faces Class Action Lawsuit for Defective Dash in XL and XLT Trucks
I have a 2020 expedition max platinum with the same issue.
I have a 2018 Ford F-150 XLT SUPER CAB. I noticed a hairline crack on the passenger side top of dash. I am concerned if it will be an issue with the airbag.
Purchased 2018 F150XLT 3.5 eco boost the dash is bulging at defrost vents on both sides exactly as described in TSB 20-2268 & TSB 19-2041. Took truck to dealer it now’s has 60,000 miles with extended premium warranty that expires in March 2023 or 75000 miles whichever comes first. Was told by dealer not covered by extended warranty. I was informed that it would cost me $1452.91 for the replacement panel 1 and $699.75 for labor a total of $2152.66 as written in estimate. I was unaware of these TSB’s until searching for oil pan leak TSB Bulging was probably there the whole time but I was unaware of dash problems. Contacted customer service at Ford and they are trying to contact dealer for resolution. This problem is a factory defect in my opinion and should not cost me anything.
Same problem here. I have a 2016 XL with a warped dash
I have a 2020 XLT and have two replacements and waiting on a third. Please how do I sign up?
2019 XLT with same dashboard hump defect since new. Dealer said they all have it when I picked up the truck. I didn’t google it until 2 years and 40k mi. Now local dealer and big Ford say its past 3yr/36,000mi warranty, tough luck. What hs!
2016 F150 has the same issue! Called Ford consumer affair yesterday regarding the TSB out on this and she pretty much told me Ford would’nt fix it becasue its not under warranty. Add me to the list
I purchased a 2020 XLT F150 about two years ago and started noticing the gap in the dash and that the passenger side dash is bubbling/coming apart. The gap has gotten worse since getting the cabin air filter changed.
Bought my F150 XLT with towing. I have not had it three years and only32,000 miles. Noticed the warped dashboard but. now it’s cracking. I paid for extended service and yet. the dealership so far has charged me $180 just to look at it. Not happy! Time to start calling around.