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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
we were sold this c-max with asticker ad 47 47 47 should have read 35-35-35 mis representation to the MAX MAX MAX IM PISSED JOHN /CINDY EVNY6
How can I get my name on one of the class action lawsuits???
How do I join the class action suit
My wife traded her Taurus for a Fusion Hybrid for the better mileage. It doesn’t get anywhere near 47 mpg, it gets about 38 mpg. The dealership recalibrated the computer to make it look like it was getting about 46 mpg but when you put the pencil to it it was the same as it was before. We are very unhappy!!!
I traded in a perfectly good Dodge Caliber with less than 40k miles for the C-Max.My decision was based on two factors:
1. That I wanted to reduce my carbon footprint with a vehicle that got close to my 50 mpg goal, and…….
2. That the vehicle was an American Brand, made in America, in support of the economic recovery!
I DIDN’T NEED a NEW CAR!! and I sure wish I hadn’t been duped by Ford’s deceitful marketing!
My wife and I purchased a 2013 C-Max March 31, 2013 strictly for the fuel economy promise (47mpg hyway/city) as we were planning a 3-week 50th anniversary trip. We traveled over 7400 miles from July 31st-August 22nd and averaged less than 38mpg–and this was after “babying” the gas pedal (under 63mph)–sometimes in an 80mph speed zone. A second trip of 3000 miles in Sept (after “recalibration” for increased mpg) netted us 40mpg with the same “babying”. If we had driven our regular speed we probably would have gotten less than 35mpg. Is there any way we can be included in this class action suit? We are really disappointed with the mpg performance of the C-Max. Thank you.
I purchased a CMax in September 2013 when the dealers knew there was a problem and the window sticker still stated 47 miles per gallon. I don’t get anywhere near that. Please include me in the lawsuit.
Hi I purchased the 2013 fusion hybrid. I Owned a 2010 with 55000 miles and only traded it for the “uprade” for better milage. I have a open case with ford now. I put in for a buy back and they refused it. I told them not to close the case because I am not happy and do not want the car. I just found out about the class action and could use some help. Please contact me regarding this manner. Thanks Jodi Ader
Owner of 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid that gets 38mpg despite doing everthing possible to get higher mpg’s. Car has 10,000 miles on it since car was purchased in December 2012. Vin #3FA6P0LUXDR157583. This car has had all the service/updates as received from Ford. Saw an article published by Bloomberg that states Ford is making a “goodwill payment” of $550 to customers who purchased a 2013 C-Max hybrid. No mention of that to hybrid Fusion owners! Hey Ford commercials still promote the Fusion hybrid as 47/47 mpg’s. Please keep the pressure on Ford Motor to make this right with it’s customers!
I purchased a 2013 Ford C-Max and do not get the 47 mpt. When I inquired with my dealership I was told that the 2013 models had a chip put in to get the better mileage. I was told my model had the chip and would get the 47 mpg. I do not. I was later told that the problem was not part of the dealership and to contact FORD directly. Please include me in the Class-action Lawsuit. Thank you.