Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
As Ford attempts to dodge a shattering sunroof class action, plaintiffs in the case argue that the company is legally obligated to face their claims.
According to plaintiffs Jacob and Jessica Beaty, Ford sold Escape SUVs with panoramic sunroofs as early as 2007 despite allegedly knowing that the vehicles’ sunroofs could shatter without warning.
In the plaintiffs’ argument to U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton, they insisted that the court should deny Ford’s recent bid for summary judgement.
To support their argument, the plaintiffs claimed that they possess evidence which proves that Ford knew about the defect plaguing their panoramic sunroofs but failed to warn consumers.
Instead, the company allegedly deceived consumers into paying a higher price for the defective feature. This reportedly resulted in countless consumers paying for panoramic sunroofs or paying a premium price for the features which they would not have done if they were aware of the defects.
“By concealing its knowledge of the [panoramic sunroof] defect from NHTSA regulators and the public at large, Ford is able to sell vehicles with luxury upgrade [panoramic sunroofs] at prices normally charged for non-defective vehicles,” the plaintiffs argued in their Ford class action brief.
“Ford thus profited, and continues to profit, at the expense of plaintiffs and other customers, who received defective vehicles worth less than the non-defective vehicles for which they had bargained.”
The Beatys claim that, due to this deception, the auto company should not escape the Ford class action lawsuit against them – including claims under the Washington Consumer Protection Act.
The Beatys aim to represent “proposed class of all persons in Washington who purchased or leased a Ford vehicle with a Ford factory-installed [panoramic sunroof] manufactured by either Webasto or Inalfa with fully tempered glass panels.”
Eligible vehicles reportedly include 2007–2014 Ford Edge, 2013–2017 Ford Escape, 2011–2017 Ford Explorer, 2007–2015 Lincoln MKX, 2010–2017 Lincoln MKT and 2009–2016 Lincoln MKS vehicles.
The Beatys allegedly experienced the defect in their own 2013 Ford Escape. In their Ford class action, the couple detailed their experience of driving down the interstate and suddenly having their sunroof shatter. Their daughter was reportedly in the car at the time. As a result of the shattering, Jessica and her daughter were allegedly left with scratches on their hands and faces.
According to the Ford class action, the defect stems from a design flaw. The panoramic sunroofs are reportedly made from large, thin, curved panels which are fasted to the vehicle frames. Unfortunately, the design of these panels allegedly causes environmental stresses such as vehicle movement to be absorbed into the glass – making it prone to spontaneous shattering.
Since the Beatys filed their Ford class action, several motions have resulted in changes to their claims. In January 2018, several breach of warranty claims were trimmed from the class action.
Do you own or lease a Ford vehicle equipped with a panoramic sunroof that shattered unexpectedly? Share you experiences in the comment section below.
The Beatys and the proposed Class are represented by Beth E. Terrell, Amanda M. Steiner and Benjamin M. Drachler of Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC, Gregory F. Coleman, Mark E. Silvey, Adam A. Edwards and Lisa A. White of Greg Coleman Law PC and Paul J. Hanly Jr., Mitchell M. Breit and Eric S. Johnson of Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC.
The Ford Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit is Beaty, et al. v. Ford Motor Co., Case No. 3:17-cv-05201, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
UPDATE: On Feb. 11, 2020, a federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against Ford by a customer who claimed that the panoramic glass sunroof in her Ford Escape spontaneously shattered while driving on the freeway.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
34 thoughts onFord Drivers Say Company Should Face Shattering Sunroof Class Action
We bought a ford edge 2022 two months ago. Today we were driving on the highway, to Calgary no cars or trucks near us and a loud explosion sound and the sunroof shattered all over us. Scared us to death and almost drove off the road. This is crazy and now am finding all sorts of people having this happen to them and Ford is trying to wash their hands off this. Am thinking thousands of people saying this is happening. Ford give your head a shake and take some ownership. Our car is now at the dealership
Not sure if we even want this car anymore.
We were driving out 2020 Ford Edge on highway 2 going to Calgary no one around us for 1/2 mile and the roads were in good condition no rock or any debris on highway. All of the sudden we’re heard a loud bang like a gun shot. Pulled over at the nearest turn off only to find the front glass of the panoramic roof had exploded. Took it to dealer they patched it up with plastic. Talking to the service person she stated it’s more common than you thing but were unwilling to cover cost. Only had car for a month and driven it 4 times
I had the exact same thing happen to me tonight on my way home from work. The sunroof in my 2020 Edge St just exploded. Thank goodness I had closed the sunroof 10 or 15 minutes prior, otherwise I would have been covered in glass. It is crazy that they can continue to escape responsibility for this.
November 15, 2022. I was driving my 2020 Ford Explorer this evening and the sunroof spontaneously shattered. The loud explosion caused me to swerve and almost drive off of the road.
Purchased a new 2020 Ford Edge Titanium model in March 3,2021.
On Oct 9, 2022 my wife was driving from Ocala to Jacksonville when she heard a loud bang. She thought she had a flat and pulled off the road. She looked up and found the sunroof had shattered into hundreds of pieces. Fortunately she never wanted or opened it or she would have been cut to pieces. Took the car in the next day and had to pay $1,615.57 for a new sunroof. Ford has denied our claim and refused to reimburse us. Hoping the class action will help us get our money
My Ford Edge Sunroof just exploded while driving to work on the freeway.
Sounded like a gunshot.
I took next exit and took photos.
I was not near any trucks, I am quite sure nothing hit me.
I called Ford but it sounds like I am gonna get screwed on this as well.
We had our 2019 escape titanium sun roof shatter today on the highway, that’s why I’m on this site.
I wonder what ford will say when we call.
I was driving a brand new 2022 Ford Edge company leased car with 700 miles on it. I was on my home from work on a extremely hot Houston, Texas afternoon. The panoramic sunroof exploded. Sounded like some had shot at my car. The fabric sunshade was closed and this prevented glass from entering into the cabin. I was surprised to see that the glass was only about 1/8″thick. The glass exploded upwards and there was no debris or rocks in the shattered glass. I don’t own the car so I won’t be responsible for the repairs but I’ll never buy or lease a Ford again.
Purchased a used 2012 Ford Edge about 6 months ago driving down the freeway heard a loud pop like a gunshot Saw debris falling off the top of my car I pulled over to check my car and the sun roof had shattered It was very scary I had to drive home with glass and debris falling into The cabin Not to mention the initial shock thinking that I had been Shot at Not realizing what had happened until I started reading on the Internet that this is a common thing Presently picking glass out of my hair Please be safe if you own one of these cars
I had a 4 month old 2021 Ford Edge. I was driving in rural area and for no reason a loud explosion happened. I thought someone threw a rock at my car. I had to drive 50 miles to get back to the twin cities with my shattered panoramic roof. Glass shards blew throughout the car and the damage was over $5,000. Ford wouldn’t stand behind it so my insurance had to cover it. I traded it in after it was repaired. Ford knows it is defective and all they care about is money. Sad!
I have a 2012 Ford limited suv and about July or August time period be while driving with my grandbaby and he was in front passenger seat and I heard a loud noise like a shot gun sound. I pulled over to the side of the road thinking I hit something but did see anything but when I got to my house I noticed the panarama sunroof had blown the pieces and glass was falling in back seat area on floor and glass shattered on top on suv. I went to Hudson Collision in Montgomery to get the panaroma sunroof repaired but I didn’t know other people were having same problem. Please send me person name a phone number to add me to the lawsuit. I had to pay for this and it scared my 3 year old baby when it sounded out loud. It was good that I put my grandson in front seat that day because the baby would of got glass in his face and eyes and he would of been blind and he has ptsd from this incident. Please add my name to lawsuit. Ronnal Womack, 151 Pineview Lane, McKenzie, Alaba 36356 phone 843-642-5778. I have pictures of the panaroma roof where it exploded with glass broken and destroyed.