A class action lawsuit alleges that the Ford Motor Company knowingly sells vehicles with defective sunroofs.
According to the class action, at least 70 complaints have been filed with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) stating that the sunroof in their Ford automobiles violently shattered.
“The shattering events are so powerful that startled drivers compare it to the sound of a gunshot, after which glass fragments rain down upon the occupants of the vehicle, sometimes while driving at highway speeds,” the complaint asserts.
The Ford defective sunroof class action lawsuit states that since the mid-2000s, manufacturers have expanded sunroofs to cover almost the entire roof of some automobiles.
Typically large sunroofs are an added cost to the buyer, sometimes thousands of dollars more than the sunroof actually costs to make.
The complaint contends that engineering that glass roof to be safe can be tricky. The class action alleges that Ford (as well as its other brands Mercury and Lincoln), use thinner glass than most manufacturers to increase fuel efficiency.
In addition, the lawsuit claims that Ford uses glass that has been tempered with ceramics, instead of laminated glass like some other car companies. That thinner, tempered glass contains a design defect that causes it to shatter, according to the complaint.
More importantly, the class action alleges that Ford has known of this defect as early as 2008, when at least five complaints were filed with NHTSA.
The class complaint also cites news articles from 2011 and 2012 that mention the potential of these sunroofs to “spontaneously shatter.”
Finally, in its response to a NHTSA investigation in 2014, Ford admitted that it had received 90 complaints and three lawsuits about the sunroofs in its Ford Edge, just one of its models.
The class action contends that despite this knowledge that its sunroofs can explode without warning, Ford has not issued a recall on any of the affected models.
Plaintiffs Douglas and Kathleen Krebsbach state that they purchased a 2013 Ford Escape with a factory-installed panoramic sunroof.
Mr. Krebsbach claims that on Feb. 8, 2016, he and a passenger were traveling on a highway in light traffic at 60 mph, when the sunroof exploded outwards, and some shattered glass fell inside the car.
Mr. Krebsbach thought that someone had shot the roof of his vehicle, and claims that he and his passenger were terrified.
Mr. Krebsbach states that he informed Ford about the sunroof, but Ford responded that it was not responsible for the sunroof failure and refused to pay the repair costs.
Similarly, plaintiffs James and Martha Alexander state that they purchased a new 2013 Lincoln MKX which had its panoramic sunroof shatter in April of 2016.
They also reported the issue to Ford and their insurance company, but both refused to cover the cost of repairs.
The models that the Ford defective sunroof class action lawsuit asserts contain this design defect are the “Ford Edge 2007-present, Ford Flex 2009-2016, Ford Focus 2009-2016, Ford Fusion 2010-present, Ford Explorer 2011-2016, Ford F 150 2011-2016, Ford Mustang 2009-2014, Ford Escape 2013-2016, Ford Transit Connect 2014-2106, Ford C-Max 2013-2016, Lincoln MKX 2007-2016, Lincoln MKS 2009-2015, Lincoln MKZ 2013-2016, Lincoln MKT 2010-2016, Mercury Milan 2010-2011, and Mercury Montego 2010-2011.”
The lawsuit seeks to certify a Class of all purchasers in the United States of those model vehicles with factory-installed panoramic sunroofs.
The class action requests restitution, punitive damages, and a court order requiring Ford to adequate disclose and repair its defective sunroofs.
The plaintiffs are represented by Crystal Foley, Paul J. Hanly, Jr., and Mitchell M. Breit of Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, and Gregory F. Coleman, Mark E. Silvey, Adam A. Edwards, and Lisa A. White of Greg Coleman Law PC.
The Ford Defective Sunroof Class Action Lawsuit is Douglas Krebsbach, et al. v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. 2:16-cv-02200, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
UPDATE: The Ford Defective Sunroof class action lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on October 3, 2016.
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65 thoughts onFord Class Action Alleges Defective Sunroofs Explode
I was driving down the highway about 45MPH, due to traffic and when out of the blue, I heard an explosion and thought something massive hit my windshield. I scanned the windshield, but did not see any thing broke. Then I could hear the glass pieces above me and the sunroof door blowing in from the wind. When I got home, it looked like the sunroof blow outwards from the inside. When I took it to Friendly Ford of Monroe, the dealership where I purchased it, they stated that they have never heard of this happening. Very disappointing that Ford does not back their vesicles and peoples safety.
I have a Ford 150, EchoBoost. I have never used the sun roof. Accidently hit the sunroof button when reaching for the dome light on a dark 6:00 AM, wind blowing, rainy morning. Would only close about half way. Being out in the woods. I got soaked, My seat covers soaked. Quickly drove 12 miles in the storm to a garage. Took about an hour to get the sunroof closed. Now a Ford Dealer, Lincoln Meadows Ford where I bought the truck wants to charge me $2200.00 to fix it. Just look on the web and see the numerous complaints of Ford’s sunroof issues including law suits to get an idea of how far reaching this sunroof problem is. Where is our consumer protection. We need to write and call our congressman and bring as much national attention to this issue. This is my first step in doing what ever I can to get Ford ( a company your and my tax dollars bailed out 10 years ago) to correct their failed engineering of the Ford sunroof. This issue is a deal breaker. No future Fords for me. Go Dodge, Chevy or GM
Why Ford Class Action lawsuit for sunroof shattered in MKT 2014 was dismissed?
My Girlfriend was driving home yesterday in our 2013 Ford Edge, not another car or person in site when the sunroof blew out on the highway covering her and my 6 month old daughter in bits of glass. can anyone tell me why Ford isn’t doing a recall on this? Ford has admitted to over 90 claims of the same thing happening to the Ford Edge alone. How may does it take to convince these greedy bastards to do a recall, does someone have to die first? Last Ford I’ll ever own.
I have a 2015 Edge Titanium (45K miles). Sunroof has cracked four times now. Dealer replaced original plus 1 more. Never a sign of impact, but had to argue with them to get them to change it. Last one was installed Feb 10 2017. On 19 Feb 2018, I opened the sunshade and sure enough it is cracked again. Now my base warranty is over, extended does not cover glass, and dealer will not fix it without paying for it because the one year warranty ended on 10 Feb 18. 4 replacements in 3 years is completely ridiculous. Sad part is I did not want a sunroof to begin with, but dealer would have had to special order one for me without it. Been a hardcore Ford fan and bought many Fords, but I am looking for a diff manufacturer for my next vehicle. based on the crack, you can tell it is definitely a stress crack, no sharp corners. Add to that the squeaking/popping noises coming from the sunroof when you go over a bump or turn a corner, it seems like the chassis is flexing and the glass is not strong enough to take up the stress. Love the car, but would never buy another with the glass top. Dealership hands are tied by Ford Corp..Obviously there is an issue with these roofs/chassis, but Ford has done nothing but band-aid repair until warranty expires. I understand the glass cost 1800 plus install.
2015 Ford Edge with the panoramic sunroof and it just cracked. The dealer claims there is a strike point, but they must have better eyes than me, because I can’t see it. The crack is about the size of an old silver dollar, starts and ends into the frame. The frame and surrounding area have to damage.
When I bought this car, the 200lbs of glass above my head concerned me, but I was assured that even a sledge hammer couldn’t damage the glass. So, even if it was hit, what hit it?
The dealer owner is currently checking into this.
The car has less than 30K and is in mint condition other than the crack.
2014 Ford Escape – Coming into work this morning, I thought someone shot at me on the interstate. Got to work to find that my sunroof had exploded out. Clearly nothing hit it or fell on it. The glass exploded out, leaving about an 8″ hole with cracks all around. Spouse has vehicle at dealership now. Anxious to see how this will all play out. Not fun and extremely frustrating now that I’m reading all of the similar complaints. Ford should be held accountable.
2015 Lincoln MKT plastic around retractable screen is cracked making lots of noise on bumpy roads. Worried this will lead to roof glass breaking.
Update – Ford approve the replacement of the roof. I know right. Replacement part arrived at dealer (5 days), and now I just have to find time to drop it off. They estimate process should take about 1/2 day…including the curing time. Also, there were two other ’15 Ford Edge vehicles at the dealer with the same issue. Gotta love it!
Do you have a case number you can share. My dealership and customer service center are saying the never heard of this being covered
Owner of a 2015 Edge Titanium – Traveling down to the beach this weekend, opened the shade on the roof and daughter said ever so nonchalantly “BTW, there’s a crack in the roof.” As sure as the day was sunny, there was a nice 1 1/2 – 2′ crack in the section that covers the rear seat. Took it to the dealer on Monday, they took pics and sent them to Ford. Waiting to hear back. Will post back the results.
I have a 2013 ford focus. I was driving on my way to work this mornin down the highway n out of no where i hear this loud noise like a explosion ontop my roof n it was my sunroof. It just shattered for no reason. I called my ford dealership and they told me they could not help me. What can i do besides filing with my insurance company?