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Ford and Ford Canada face a class action lawsuit filed by an Ontario man who says they misrepresented the fuel economy values of some of their trucks.
Plaintiff Gordon Arthur Simmons of Ontario alleges that Ford Canada overstated the fuel economy of its model year 2019 Ranger trucks and its 2018-2019 F-150 trucks.
He claims the motor company touted the trucks’ fuel economy to entice consumers into purchasing the vehicles.
However, due to Ford’s fuel economy misrepresentation, Simmons claims that consumers who purchased or leased the trucks paid 10 to 15 percent more in fuel costs than expected.
According to the Ford Canada class action lawsuit, a vehicle’s fuel economy is determined by testing its performance in a laboratory setting and in-road testing.
The testing reportedly includes a “coastdown test” in a real world setting which measures a vehicle’s rolling resistance and drag. During this road test, special devices reportedly measure environmental conditions, performance data, speed and distance traveled while the vehicle coasts on the road.
These resistance figures recorded during the coastdown test are applied to a “5-Cycle Test” on a dynamometer – which the Ford Canada class action lawsuit describes as being similar to a “treadmill for cars” – to simulate road conditions and thereby calculate a vehicle’s fuel economy and emissions under a variety of conditions.
Simmons says Ford used inaccurate draft and resistance figures to artificially boost the purported fuel economy of the trucks. He claims the trucks consume more fuel than Ford represented, causing consumers to overpay for the vehicles and pay more than expected in fuel costs. The alleged fuel economy misrepresentation also reduces the vehicles’ market value, according to the Ford Canada class action lawsuit.
Ford Canada reportedly misrepresented the fuel economy of its trucks through various advertisements and communications, including the government-sponsored Natural Resources Canada (NRC) Search Tool – an online database that helps Canadians compare the fuel consumption of different vehicles.
In September 2018, Ford admitted that several employees voiced concerns about the motor company’s inaccurate coastdown and road load calculations, the Ford Canada class action lawsuit states. Ford reportedly investigated the whistleblower complaints and disclosed the results to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to the California Air Resources Board.
The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly opened a criminal investigation into Ford’s fuel efficiency testing procedures.
The same coastdown and dynamometer tests were used in both the United States and Canada, Simmons asserts in the Ford Canada class action lawsuit.
Simmons filed the Ford fuel economy class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and a proposed Class of persons in Canada who own, owned, lease, or leased a 2019 Ford Ranger or 2018-2019 Ford F-150 truck.
The Ford Canada class action lawsuit asserts claims for negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, and violations of consumer protection laws. Simmons seeks general damages in the amount of $400 million and punitive damages in the amount of $20 million.
Did you purchase a Ford truck after relying on statements regarding its fuel mileage? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Louis Sokolov, Jean-Marc Leclerc and Mohsen Seddigh of Sotos LLP.
The Ford Canada Truck Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit is Gordon Arthur Simmons v. Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited, et al., Case No. CV-19-00625865-00CP, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Canada.
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3 thoughts onFord Canada Class Action Says Mileage Is Overstated
I bought a 2014 ford F150 and still have it today. It has never come close to mileage stats as indicated. I sill have the trucks specifications and expected stats sheet that was stuck to the window at the dealers sales lot.
Recently purchased a 2019 F-150 3.5L Ecoboost, Window sticker fuel economy was 10.1 L/100km (highway) 12.6 L/100 average.. have 36000 km on the truck now and have averaged 17 L/100 (winter) and 15 L/100 (summer). I have had no success in trying to get the local dealer to assist with this issue as there is always an excuse for the poor fuel economy ie. driving habits.. tires.. temperature.
Worst thing is I traded in a 2017 5.0L which averaged 13L/100 for the advertised “better” 3.5L eco.
I bought a 2014 F150 with Eco boost. Mile mileage has never met what Ford Company advertised on its sticker or paper work.