Ford plagued with recent recalls, lawsuits

Ford recalls, lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Ford Motor Company recently initiated a number of recalls and faced several class action lawsuits. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits and recalls involve issues with Ford vehicles’ oil pumps, rear subframe assemblies, 10-speed transmissions, seat belts, engines and battery monitor sensors. 
• Where: The Ford recalls and class actions affect consumers nationwide. 
• What are my options: CarShield provides vehicle service protection to brands like Ford.

Ford Motor Company recently dealt with a number of class action lawsuits and recalls.  

Alleged defects that contributed to Ford’s recent recalls and class action lawsuits include issues with the vehicles’ oil pumps, rear subframe assemblies, 10-speed transmissions, seat belts, engines and battery monitor sensors. 

An automaker may choose to initiate a recall if it determines the vehicle contains a defect that could endanger the health and safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians on the roadway.

Ford accused of manufacturing vehicles with defective 1.0L EcoBoost engines

A group of vehicle owners filed a class action lawsuit against Ford earlier this month, arguing the automaker manufactured some of its model year 2016 and newer vehicles with defective Ford 1.0L EcoBoost engines.

Drivers argue the 1.0L EcoBoost engines in the model year 2016 and newer Ford economy, subcompact and compact vehicles contain defective oil pumps that could cause “catastrophic engine failure while driving,” the lawsuit states.

Ford is accused of being aware of the defect but choosing not to disclose the issue to consumers, according to the Ford class action.

“Despite Ford’s knowledge of the Defect … it has failed to provide adequate repairs under warranty, and has also failed to disclose the Defect to unsuspecting consumers,” the class action states. 

Some Explorer rear subframe assemblies don’t have enough mounting bolts, class action says

A group of vehicle owners filed a separate class action lawsuit against Ford earlier this month, arguing the automaker failed to disclose the rear subframe assemblies on its model year 2020 and newer Ford Explorer 2.3L or 3.0L ST vehicles are defective.

Ford is accused of using only one rear axle horizontal mounting bolt to attach the vehicles’ rear subframe assemblies despite knowing since at least 2019 that the vehicles would require four bolt rear subframe assemblies. 

“Defendant’s failure to disclose the Rear Subframe Defect has caused Plaintiffs and putative class members to lose the use of their vehicles and/or incur costly repairs that have conferred an unjust substantial benefit upon Defendant,” the Ford class action states. 

Ford equipped vehicles with defective 10-speed transmissions, class action states

A driver filed a class action lawsuit against Ford in April, arguing the automaker equipped at least five models of its vehicles with defective 10-speed transmissions. 

The defective transmissions allegedly cause Ford’s model year 2017-2023 Expedition, Ranger, Mustang, F-150 and Lincoln Navigator vehicles to jerk, shift harshly, lunge, clunk, hesitate between gears and experience a sudden loss of power. 

“Because of the Defect, the Class Vehicles are likely to suffer serious damages and potentially catch fire if accidents occur, and there is an unreasonable and extreme risk of serious bodily harm or death to the vehicle’s occupants and others in the vicinity,” the Ford class action states. 

Ford is accused of knowing, or that it should have known, the 10-speed transmissions were allegedly defective and failing to warn owners and lessees. 

Ford initiates trio of May recalls over engine, seat belt safety concerns

Ford initiated an urgent recall last month for more than 142,000 of its model year 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC compact SUVs over concerns they can catch fire, even while their engines are turned off. 

Owners of the recalled vehicles should park outside and away from all structures until the automaker is able to remedy the issue, according to the recall.

Ford says it is aware of 19 underhood fires in its MKC vehicles that may potentially be related to the recall. 

Also in May, Ford recalled more than 175,000 of its model year 2021-2023 five-door Ford Bronco SUVs over concerns their front seat belts were not in compliance with federal safety standards. 

Ford initiated the recall after determining the driver and front passenger of the recalled vehicles may find it difficult to reach their belts when the seats are in a certain position. 

“Difficulty accessing the seat belt latches may result in occupants not wearing their seat belts, increasing the risk of injury in a crash,” the Ford recall states. 

Ford announced a separate recall in May for more than 125,000 of certain of its model year 2020-2023 Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs and Maverick compact pickup trucks equipped with 2.5L hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines.

The recall, which builds on a previous recall from July 2022, was expanded over concerns the vehicles’ engines could fail, leading to a fire in their engine compartments. 

Ford says it decided to expand the recall after the automaker received reports of at least three vehicle fires, following the 2022 recall fix. 

Have you been impacted by a recent Ford recall or class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments!

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• 3 cities join Hyundai, Kia theft MDL
• Jeep recall affects 331,000 Grand Cherokees due to incorrectly installed rear coil springs
• Deadly, defective airbag inflators allegedly affect more than 33M Americans
• $200M Hyundai, Kia settlement resolves theft suits