Ford transmission mass action lawsuit overview:
- Who: More than 100 plaintiffs have joined a Ford mass action lawsuit.
- Why: The lawsuit alleges the automaker knowingly sold certain Ford Fusion and Ford Escape vehicles with a transmission defect that can cause premature wear of the internal components and potentially lead to catastrophic failures.
- Where: The Ford lawsuit was filed in Michigan federal court.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story mistakenly referred to the lawsuit as a class action. It is a mass action.
Ford Motor Co. knowingly sold Ford Fusions and Ford Escapes with defective transmissions, according to claims made in a 533-page Ford mass action lawsuit filed March 20 in Michigan federal court.
The Ford transmission defect allegedly affects model year 2010-2020 Ford Fusion and 2009-2021 Ford Escape vehicles.
“Ford repeatedly lied to consumers as to the reasons for the problems consumers experienced,” says the lawsuit, which has already been joined by more than 100 plaintiffs. “As a result, consumers were and are stuck in unsafe Fusion and Escape autos that have costly repairs and minimum resale value” allegedly due to the Ford transmissions defect.
The automaker allegedly knew the Ford transmissions in its Fusions and Escapes had a defective condition that could manifest in violent jerking, delayed acceleration, difficulty stopping, hard decelerations, premature wear of the internal components and potential catastrophic failures.
Ford transmission defect due to ‘fundamental design failure,’ plaintiffs claim
The Ford transmission defect is the result of a “fundamental design failure” in the interconnected array of software and hardware systems that allow the transmission to operate, the Ford lawsuit alleges.
Had the plaintiffs known about the Ford transmission defect and the potential for premature failure, they would not have purchased or leased the affected vehicles, according to the mass action lawsuit.
As a result of the undisclosed Ford transmission defect, the plaintiffs claim they experienced financial losses, including but not limited to out-of-pocket costs related to repairs, costs of obtaining alternative transportation and decreased value of their vehicles.
The plaintiffs also claim they suffered harm because their vehicles’ transmissions and related components “are substantially certain to fail before their expected useful life has run,” the Ford lawsuit alleges.
Ford recently reached a $365 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations it put a sham row of back seats in cargo vans to avoid a 25% duty rate.
Did you purchase or lease one of the allegedly defective Ford Fusions or Ford Escapes? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
Jones is represented by Kenneth A. Stern of Stern Law PLLC, Amy L. Wells of Wells Law Office Inc., Amy L. Marino of Marino Law PLLC and William C. Ourand Jr. of Newsome Melton PA.
The Ford transmissions lawsuit is Gerkarrah Jones v. Ford Motor Co., Case No. 2:24-cv-10721-MAG-CI, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division.
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1,654 thoughts onLawsuit alleges Ford Fusions, Escapes have defective transmissions
2020 Escape, well maintained 105k miles. Trans fluid is leaking internally, entire transmission needs to be replaced.
My husband and I purchased a 2018 Ford Fusion for my 16 year old daughter’s first car. It has never run correctly. Started with her getting stuck at gas stations after filling up the tank. Car would not start for 20 minutes after fueling. Took it to several mechanics. Replaced over $1,000 worth of parts only for the car to start shaking, bucking and eventually dying in traffic. Took the car to the Ford Dealership. They advised that the coolant was leaking into the engine due to a design defect. Stating there wasn’t anything they could do. Car is now stuck in a garage until we figure out what to do with it.
2012 ford fusion single mom of 2 just bought it one other owner only 82000 on it very well maintained but the transmission is now having to be completely replaced cheapest have found is 1650 i dont know what im going to do iwish I had known so many people had this problem shame on ford !
2019 Ford Escape. Coolant leaking into the cylinders. Dealership replaced the lower block. Car was never the same after. Plus the dealership screwed it up. I had to get rid of it.
I bought my car in July 2024 with on 80k miles or so. I didnt have the car for 1 months bc of the door replacement with part and timing getting them. Not even a year later Im having so many issue now. Drove fine day before. Get in it and the car is now hard shifting into reverse, and between 20 to 40 mpj its downshifts hard, like someone is tapping on the break. Same day this started the rpm would jump up to 5 and cause car to jerk and not have any power. I have been geetinh so many codes on ford pass. Unfortunately i bought this car from dealer with cash and didnt buy exstended warranty. Im now without car. Dealership says they cant fix it and i will have to pay out of pocket and they said they cant get to it for 2 months. I voughr car from dealership bc i didnt want problems and here i am with worse problems i ever had with cars. Transmission has been flushed and the car has had 2 service oil change.
2018 escape at the dealership now with blown transmission gave us a $7,500 estimate for a new transmission.only has 110,000 miles on it
Two Christmas ago I bought my wife a 2016 Ford Escape. I wanted her and my 13 year old to have a dependable vehicle to get around. At 70,000 miles the transmission is shot. My estimate for repair was $8000 plus. I am out of luck it is all on me. I went for the Ford Escape believing Ford was a reputable American auto maker with pride in their product and respect for fellow Americans. Well, the Escape is parked in front of the house. I can not afford $8000 to repair let alone wonder if I am wasting my money again on a product that is is known by Ford to be a piece of garbage. I would like to be part of the class action lawsuit.
2010 Ford Fusion. One previous owner (my grandparents) and low miles. Transmission suddenly started acting funny and down hill from there. Now the car is sitting there while we try to figure out how to come up with money to repair it. Sharing one car with multiple people is no fun! Is this case still taking participants?
I’m also pay’n for a new transmission out of my retirement account. I’m also in a rehab/nursing home facility. Not knowing for sure when I’ll be able to leave but this issue with the 2016 Ford escape transmission is causing extreme burdens.