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.
Second Ford C-Max, Fusion Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit Filed
By Matt O’Donnell
Looks like Honda, Hyundai and Kia aren’t the only automakers in hot water for exaggerating the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. A new class action lawsuit claims Ford made false and misleading marketing claims about how many miles per gallon the 2013 Ford C-Max and Fusion hybrid vehicles obtain.
Lead plaintiff Richard Pitkin alleges in the Ford fuel economy class action lawsuit that the purchased a C-Max Hybrid in October and only averaged 37 mpg – significantly lower than the EPA rating of 47 mpg.
“In its advertising and marketing campaign for the vehicles, Ford claimed that the C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid achieved a class leading 47 Miles Per Gallon,” the class action lawsuit says. “These materials helped Ford achieve record sales for the first two months of C-MAX Hybrid sales, outselling its rival, hybrid sales leader Toyota, but there was a problem. These ads were false.”
The Environmental Protection Agency announced in December it would review Ford’s fuel efficiency claims after Consumer Reports found the C-Max Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid fell significantly short of the EPA window sticker rating.
According to Consumer Reports, the Ford C-MAX obtained 37 mpg overall with 35 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Similar findings with the Fusion Hybrid found that the vehicle achieve 39 mpg in testing overall.
“These two vehicles have the largest discrepancy between our overall-mpg results and the estimates published by the EPA that we’ve seen among any current models,” Consumer Reports said in a statement.
Discrepancies between EPA window stickers and the actual fuel efficiency that drivers achieve have fueled a number of class action lawsuits in recent months. The Honda Civic Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra and a numerous Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been targeted by consumers who say the vehicles fell short of advertised mpg ratings.
A recent EPA investigation into Hyundai and Kia EPA ratings revealed 35% of their 2011-2013 vehicles had inflated fuel efficiency ratings.
The Ford Hybrid Fuel Efficiency Class Action Lawsuit is seeking punitive damages, including reimbursement for the purchase price of the Ford C-Max hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid.
The case is Richard Pitkin v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. 12-cv-2973, U.S. District Court, California Eastern District Court, Sacramento.
Updated June 14th, 2013
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
51 thoughts onFord C-Max, Fusion Hybrid MPG Class Action Lawsuit
25 % reduction from actual claimed////……i couldn’t get 47 mpg riding down hill with my foot up my ass!
this is BS!!!
I feel I’ve been screwed….
So much in trusting a non government bailed out run organization.
My vw diesel had the torque, and 50 mpg! this things a dog!
I also lease a 2010 Prius and Insight both of which have far superior MPG
Performance (40-51mpg). I thought this would be a Prius Killer? As a
cross over buyer I feel deceived. I want to support US companies and US
jobs. What was Ford thinking when they published 47 / 47 estimates? I
would have been ok with low 40’s but low 28-33 is not even in the ball
park. Mark my words there will be no fix for this. Ford should offer
to take the cars back or offer cash compensation to offset the
mileage claims. The EPA estimates will have to be adjusted to the mid
30’s and sell the cars as is. Which is ok as long as the consumer knows
what they are buying.
My dealer’s sales and service department were ok at the beginning of the complaint process, but now have turned hostile and un-professional.
Ronald Kramer
Yankee Ford Customer
South Portland, Maine
I also bought a 2013 in early December, and the 47 mpg EPA rating was a significant factor in my decision. Using every tip I can find on how to maximize fuel efficiency in hybrid vehicles of this type I have only been able to get ~36 mpg. I feel cheated by the misrepresentation and would very much like to join this lawsuit. However, I live in Washington State and am unsure if this class-action suit is restricted to California.
I purchased a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid the weekend before Thanksgiving & after 2600 miles I can only get 34.7 MPG’s. I’ve taken it to the Ford dealer for diagnosis, no problems! I waited specifically for this car because of the gas mileage, now I feel so cheated! And how do I add my name to this lawsuit?
I need to join this lawsuit. Ford needs to correct this issue or return our cars.
My Ford Fusion Hybrid only get 36mpg and that’s driving so gingerly that I am going less than the speed limit at all times. I bought this car solely for the mileage as i drive all day long for work and Ford has done nothing but denied there were any issues. They made me drive it to 300 miles abd then one more gas tank,and then 1000 miles, and now they say i have to hit 7500 miles to even see close to 40mpg on the car….needless to say, im out the money in savings they stated and paying for a new car payment. Thanks Ford!
I bought my C-Max assuming the EPA # is not realistic, but I expected get 40mpg under gentle driving conditions. My C-Max can’t even get 40mpg going downhill. My average is 33.5, regardless of city or freeway. I tried everything, including going a steady 60mph on level freeway. I do believe there is something wrong with the electric motor engagement system. You must “coherse” it to engage, and it quickly dis-engages as soon as you give it a very slight amount of throttle! Then you must re-coherse it again. This is a chore! On the freeway,under 60, same thing, electric motor does not stay engaged (unless you are going downhill). What is the point of even having an electric motor if it will not stay running. The “battery” level meter is always mostly charged, yet I can’t take advantage of that charge. WHAT A JOKE. I too want to get in on the suit. Or better yet, Ford should allow me (us) to return the vehicle for full credit for another Ford vehicle.
I purchased a 2013 for the 47 mpg, but what a surprise I got when I took our vacation at 30 mpg. AFter awhile, the gas mileage increased to 33.3 mpg. I am angry and have tried different driving styles to make a comparison. The engine seems to kick in when I get to 20 mph. There is something wrong with this and I want to get involved with the Class Action Lawsuit. How do I do that? Thanks for letting us vent, now help us!
I purchased a 2013 Fusion Hybrid on 12/15/12. I currently am averaging 31 mpg. The dealership gave me several different reasons. One – there is a breaking in period, Two – the cold weather reduces fuel efficiency and Three- CA EPA requirements reduces mpg. How do I join this lawsuit?