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A Massachusetts man says the automatic transmission in certain Ford vehicles is defective in a new class action lawsuit filed against the automaker.
Lead plaintiff Robert Marino claims that 2017-2020 Ford F-150 vehicles suffer from jerky or hard shifts.
The problem, according to the Ford class action lawsuit, arises from a design and/or manufacturing defect in the vehicles’ 10-speed automatic transmission, the 10R80.
“An automatic transmission is essentially an automatic gear shifter,” explains the complaint. “Instead of manually shifting the gears with a clutch, the automatic transmission does it on its own. The transmission acts as a powertrain to convert the vehicle engine’s force into a controlled source of power.”
Marino notes that “drivers need a properly functioning automatic transmission in order to safely and reliably accelerate and decelerate their Vehicles.”
The plaintiff says he leased a 2019 Ford F-150 Sport. Shortly after he entered into the lease, Marino claims that his F-150 started to “clunk” and “bang,” and the vehicle would jerk or slip when he tried to change gears.
The Ford class action alleges that a few months after he noticed these problems, he took the vehicle in for repair. The shop updated the Ford’s transmission software, but Marino says he still continues to experience problems with it.
The plaintiff says that Ford has thus far refused recall or replace the defective F-150s.
“The first priority of an auto manufacturer should be to ensure that its vehicles are safe and operate as intended to prevent or minimize the threat of death or serious bodily harm,” states the Ford class action lawsuit.
“In addition, an auto manufacturer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that, once a vehicle is running, it operates safely, and its mechanical systems (such as the transmission) work properly. Moreover, an auto manufacturer that is aware of dangerous design defects that cause its vehicles to jerk, hesitate, surge, or slip gears must promptly disclose and remedy such defects.”
According to the Ford class action, Ford is aware of the defective transmission and has issued a technical service bulletin about it; however, the fix proffered by the company does not work, says the plaintiff.
The Ford class action lawsuit alleges that many other F-150 owners have experienced clunking and other problems from the defective transmission. Complaints include vehicles failing to accelerate, loud clunking noises and failing to shift gears.
The plaintiff contends that he and other consumers would not have purchased or paid as much for their Ford F-150s had they known they suffered from such a defect.
“As a result of their reliance on Defendant’s omissions and/or misrepresentations, owners and/or lessees of the Class Vehicles have suffered ascertainable loss of money, property, and/or loss in value of their Class Vehicle,” alleges the Ford class action lawsuit.
The Ford class action lawsuit seeks to represent Massachusetts residents who purchased a model year 2017 through 2020 F-150.
Does your Ford F-150 suffer from the hard shift defect? Tell us more about it in the comments below!
The plaintiff is represented by Alex R. Straus, Gregory F. Coleman, and Lisa A. White of Greg Coleman Law PC, John R. Fabry and Luis Munoz of The Carlson Law Firm, P.C., and Sidney F. Robert of Brent Coon and Associates.
The Ford Class Action Lawsuit is Marino v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. 1:20-cv-10048, in the U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts.
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3 thoughts onFord Class Action Alleges Hard Shift Defect
My 2019 F-150 slips at random times (not always but it happened when accelerating to pass a lane, or pulls when I shift to start to drive at other times, etc.). The engine was ticking in my last trip upstate a bit louder than usual, as if the valves were tapping against the engine heads. Called the dealer but apparently they are not taking in Transmission appointments indefinitely and an engine check is 3-4 weeks out, with a 3-4 week hold, they said it was the same for most dealers. Not sure why this trans slip and engines tick. I always had older cars without this issue, and this new truck should not be having this (seems low quality/design) issues.
My sons 2018 F-150 in certain drive modes shifts extremely hard, enough to not use certain mode(s).
My 2018 Ford F-150 2.7 is having the same issue. Ford refuses to fix it and says nothing is wrong. The truck won’t even move at the point. Is there anything we can do?