Ford Explorer exhaust system defect class action settlement

Vehicle owners who have experienced problems with their Ford Explorer exhaust system and file a claim form may be eligible to benefit from a class action lawsuit settlement.

The Class is made up of all entities and natural persons in the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia, who currently or previously owned or leased 2016 and 2017 model-year Ford Explorer sold or leased in the United States, excluding 2016 and 2017 Police Interceptor Utility Ford Explorers.

The Ford Explorer exhaust system problem exists in 2016 and 2017 models, with fumes entering the vehicles’ passenger compartments, according to a class action lawsuit.

Ford, which manufactures a number of popular vehicles in addition to the Explorer, such as the Mustang, Bronco, and Ranger, denies the vehicles are defective and maintains it has done nothing wrong.

The Ford Explorer exhaust settlement provides various benefits for Class Members.

Repairs are available under the Field Service Actions 17N03 and 19N05 (FSA repairs) that will be performed for free by an authorized Ford dealer to address the exhaust odor, regardless of mileage or warranty status, until July 31, 2022. Class Members may look up whether the FSA repairs have already been performed on their vehicle by looking up their vehicle identification number here.

If the FSA repairs do not remedy the Ford Explorer exhaust odor, additional repairs can be performed by an authorized Ford dealer to address the issue, including repairs performed under

Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 17-0044: inspection and sealing of gaps in the passenger compartment or installation of a modified exhaust system in vehicles equipped with a normally aspirated 3.5-liter Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (TiVCT) engine (TSB repairs). 

The TSB repairs are free for in-warranty vehicles. The TSB repairs are available on out-of-warranty vehicles, but not for free. Class Members may be entitled to a partial reimbursement.

If a Class Member has TSB repairs performed after their warranty is expired and they pay for an authorized dealer for parts and labor, they are eligible for a partial reimbursement on those costs if they occur within the later of the following periods:

• Repairs occurring within four years or 48,000 miles after the vehicle was placed in service (whichever comes first)
• Repairs occurring on or before Nov. 11, 2021

These TSB repairs shall be reimbursed according to the following schedule:

• Up to $400 of the post-warranty repair costs for the inspection and sealing of gaps in the passenger compartment
• Up to $400 of the post-warranty repair costs for the installation of a modified exhaust system in vehicles that are equipped with a normally aspirated 3.5-liter TiVCT

These amounts may be combined for a single Class Vehicle that underwent both types of repairs, even if they occur during different visits, as long as they occur within the time and/or mileage requirements.

Class Members who file an Explorer exhaust settlement claim form for post-warranty repair costs reimbursement in the Ford Explorer class action lawsuit settlement must include the following: 

• The Class Vehicle’s VIN
• Proof of ownership of the Class Vehicle during the time of any qualified TSB repair for which a claim is being made
• Evidence sufficient to show the Class Member obtained a TSB repair to a Class Vehicle that qualifies for partial reimbursement of post-warranty repair costs under the terms of the settlement, including:
  • Information showing the Class Vehicle underwent a TSB repair
  • The date or dates of the TSB repair or repairs
  • The mileage on the Class Vehicle as of the date of the TSB repair
• Proof of the amount of post-warranty repair costs the Class Member paid for the TSB repair

A fairness hearing in the Ford Explorer exhaust system settlement took place Nov. 15, 2021.

The deadline to opt out of or object to the Ford Explorer class action lawsuit settlement has passed.

The deadline to file an Explorer exhaust settlement claim form is six months after the settlement effective date of Dec. 30, 2021, — which would be on or about June 30, 2022 — or 120 days after the date of the TSB repair for which partial reimbursement is sought, whichever is later.

Who’s Eligible

The Class is made up of all entities and natural persons in the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia, who currently or previously owned or leased 2016 and 2017 model-year Ford Explorer sold or leased in the United States, excluding 2016 and 2017 Police Interceptor Utility Ford Explorers.

Potential Award

$525

Proof of Purchase

• The Class Vehicle’s VIN
• Proof of ownership of the Class Vehicle during the time of any qualified TSB repair for which a claim is being made
• Evidence sufficient to show the Class Member obtained a TSB repair to a Class Vehicle that qualifies for partial reimbursement of post-warranty repair costs under the terms of the settlement, including:
  • Information showing the Class Vehicle underwent a TSB repair
  • The date or dates of the TSB repair or repairs
  • The mileage on the Class Vehicle as of the date of the TSB repair
• Proof of the amount of post-warranty repair costs the Class Member paid for the TSB repair

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

Six months after the settlement effective date, Dec. 30, 2021 — which would be on or about June 30, 2022 — OR 120 days after the date of the TSB repair for which partial reimbursement is sought, whichever is later.

Case Name

Suresh Persad, et al. v. Ford Motor Co., Civil Action No. 2:17-cv-12599-TGB-MKM in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Final Hearing

11/15/2021

Settlement Website

ExplorerExhaustSettlement.net

Claims Administrator

KCC Class Action Services LLC
2016-2017 Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor Class Action Settlement 
P.O. Box 43520 
Providence, RI 02940-3520
855-786-0990

Class Counsel

Joseph H. Meltzer Esq.
Ethan J. Barlieb Esq.
Kessler Topaz
MELTZER & CHECK LLP

Powell Miller Esq.
THE MILLER LAW FIRM PC

Defense Counsel

David M. George Esq.
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC

Joel A. Dewey Esq.
DLA PIPER LLP