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
Panoramic sunroof on my 2014 Lincoln MKT just exploded on the Turnpike. No impact no reason. Seriously scary stuff
My Certified 2015 Ford Edge vista sun roof cracked like everyone else says. Spider like cracking on right rear fixed panel. Ford says was cause by impact and wont cover it. It only has 40,000 miles on it and even with full extended warranty they wont cover glass.
mine did the same 2015 ford edge.. grr not covered even with my extended warranty.. 29,000 miles.. they should all be recalled.. what a money maker for ford.
My 2015 Ford Edge sunroof has cracked twice now. Same wavy, spiderweb cracks everyone else describes. Ford wouldn’t cover, said it was from a rock hitting it.
2015 Ford Edge sport same issue as everyone else cracked sunroof. For is not stepping up to these issues. Ford needs to be sued. Thinking about taking it to the media.
Mine just spontaneously cracked July 5th under a carport and no foul play noted.
Can anyone tell me if there is a active class action law suit in regard to spontaneous cracks in 2015 Ford Edges panaramic window.
We bought our certified pre-owned Ford Edge in November and last month out of no where we have a starge swirly crack in the back passenger side of our panaramic window.
We’ve been going back and forth with the dealership and the best they can do is a $1700 fix. When we bought the car they sold us on its bumper to bumper warranty and our paper work says nothing about the glass not being covered. If anyone has any advice or information we would really appreciate it,
Thank you
Don’t know, but I am with you if you file
My 2017 Ford Edge Titanium has a very similar crack as you describe for no apparent reason. Definitely a problem with Ford.
On the “Edge”
I am Looking at a 2017 Edge sport to purchase,
Rear panoramic section has several cracks
Unknown cause. The Edge is at a used car lot section of a non ford dealer. Dealer says window is sealed and ok. I travel in the snow a lot and cracks do not appear to be ok. Is this an ongoing issue for 2017. Is there a recall or class action going on?
On the edge here haha.
March 19 2019 just driving on the freeway and the sunroof on my 2013 edge sport exsploded and nearly caused me to crash. I thought someone hit me the sound was so loud. Ford refuses to cover that piece of glass is 850.00 by itself before work is done.
2012 mkt with 40k miles exploded violently while driving down the highway with my children on board.
My Sunroof exploded yesterday while I was driving down the highway. It sounded like a gunshot. I have a 2013 Ford Escape.
I just noticed wavy cracks throughout by back sunroof. Took it to the Ford dealership today. They took pictures and are going to send them to Ford. I bought the car new. It is a 2017 Edge with 13k miles. I am nervous after reading all these comments that even if they fix under current warranty, it is just going to crack again.
I have a 2015 Ford Edge with a cracked roof that is whole. Ford tells me this is out of warranty. How can I get assistance?
My sunroof in my 2016 Ford Edge has a whole and is cracked. The car is currently leased and under warranty. And they’re refusing to fix it. What should I do?