Ford class action over oil pump defect escapes dismissal

Update:

• Ford Motor Co. must continue to face claims it manufactured and sold certain model year 2016 and newer economy, subcompact and compact vehicles containing defective Ford 1.0-liter EcoBoost engines, a Delaware federal judge ruled.
• On July 8, Judge Gregory B. Williams denied most of Ford Motor Co.’s motion to dismiss the class action lawsuit. 
• Ford argued the claims should be thrown out because none of the plaintiffs took advantage of a December recall providing free replacement parts and reimbursements.
• However, Judge Williams ruled the plaintiffs demanded compensation “well beyond the cost of repairing or replacing the defective 1.0 EcoBoost engines and seek recovery for the diminution in value of their vehicles, towing costs, rental car costs and other out-of-pocket expenses.”
• The vehicle owners claim Ford knew about the alleged defect, which can cause “catastrophic engine failure while driving, yet has failed to disclose it to consumers. 

Ford oil pump defect class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: A group of vehicle owners filed a class action lawsuit against Ford Motor Company. 
• Why: Ford is accused of manufacturing certain of its model year 2016 and newer economy, subcompact, and compact vehicles with defective Ford 1.0-liter EcoBoost engines. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Delaware federal court. 
• What are my options: CarShield provides vehicle service protection to brands like Ford.

(June 13, 2023)

Ford Motor Company manufactured and sold certain model year 2016 and newer economy, subcompact, and compact vehicles containing defective Ford 1.0-liter EcoBoost engines, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

A group of vehicle owners claim Ford has known about the alleged defect — which relates to the oil pumps for its Ford 1.0-liter EcoBoost engines and can cause “catastrophic engine failure while driving” — yet has failed to disclose it to consumers. 

Vehicle owners argue the alleged defect presents a “serious safety hazard” that can cause a vehicle to suffer catastrophic engine failure while driving — and without warning — in addition to lost motive power and/or sudden limp mode activation. 

The issues caused by the alleged Ford engine defect ultimately increases the likelihood of a collision, endangering the safety of vehicle owners, the Ford class action alleges. 

“Despite Ford’s knowledge of the Defect, which renders the Class Vehicles hazardous and unsuitable for their intended purpose, it has failed to provide adequate repairs under warranty, and has also failed to disclose the Defect to unsuspecting consumers,” the Ford class action states. 

Vehicle owners want to represent a nationwide class and California, Florida, Michigan, Texas, and Pennsylvania subclasses of all individuals who purchased or leased any Ford vehicle equipped with a 1.0L EcoBoost engine model year 2016 or later. 

Ford aware defect commonly manifests itself shortly outside of  60,000-mile powertrain warranty, says class action

Vehicle owners argue the alleged engine defect commonly only manifests itself shortly outside of Ford’s 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, pushing the costs to repair the vehicles strictly onto their owners. 

“Because Ford is aware that the failures … occur frequently just outside the warranty, it is unfairly transferring the cost of the warranty repairs to unsuspecting consumers of the economy vehicles in which these engines are equipped,” the Ford class action states. 

Vehicle owners claim Ford is guilty of fraud by omission or fraudulent concealment, unjust enrichment, and breach of express warranty, and of violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, among other things. 

Plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive and equitable relief along with an award of punitive damages for themselves and all class members. 

Ford initiated a recall earlier this month for more than 125,000 of the automaker’s SUVs and compact pickup trucks over concerns their engines could fail and potentially start a fire in the vehicle’s engine compartment. 

Have you purchased a Ford vehicle that was equipped with a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiffs are represented by Scott M. Tucker, Robert J. Kriner, Jr., Timothy N. Mathews and Alex M. Kashurba of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson Smith LLP; Russell D. Paul, Abigail Gertner, Amey J. Park and Natalie Lesser of Berger Montague PC; and Tarek H. Zohdy, Cody R. Padgett and Laura E. Goolsby of Capstone Law APC. 

The Ford oil pump defect class action lawsuit is Bolton, et al. v. Ford Motor Co., Case No. 1:23-cv-00632, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• $50M GM fuel pump settlement gets tentative OK
• Recall issued for Lexus vehicles due to head restraint defect
• Ford Mustang recalled due to steering sensor defect
• Mazda class action claims some vehicles have defective infotainment systems