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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1,688 thoughts onLawsuit alleges Ford Fusions, Escapes have defective transmissions
2019 transmission went out while I was out Doordashing. I have now lost out on 2 weeks of working and a 3300.00 transmission bought not even paying the mechanic yet. Hes still working on it. I still owe about 17,000.00 on this car bought it last year in March 2025. Have put about 15,000 miles on it in little less than a year. Where can I sign up to be part of this class action.
I have a 2020 ford fusion with transmission problems
The 2010 explorer have the same issues with the trans. I almost hit hit last month the truck slamming in and out of gear. High rpm then SLAM. Also on frwy it happens. Made a complaint with department of highway safety
I purchased a 2021 Ford Escape SEL used in 2022 with 33k miles on it. Today, the car has 122k miles on it. Yesterday, the transmission blew. Got it towed to a repair shop and they said it would be about $9,800 to replace the transmission and get the car back to normal operation.
I have the EXACT same situation w my 21 Escape. 125000 miles. Transmission blew quoted 15000 at dealership and 8000 for rebuild at Transmission shop. Lost my job due to the situation wo a vehicle.
I have a 2017 Ford Fusion and just found out tonight that the block is cracked which means I have to have a whole new motor put in,and I can’t afford that,and trying to find a room de to and from work,and paying gas to someone else is putting me more out of pocket money,is there anything I can do
I have a 2016 Ford Fusion puchased and still owe on the car loan yet within one year and barely 27k miles after the purchase the transmission with no a single warning sign just died. It drove beautifully and I have always maintained all my cars to drive til well over 200k miles but this needing a $5500 new transmission when I owe a loan and have barely had it a year (bought used from dealer at 99k miles) is absolutely a terrible financial lose. Is there a settlement I can join because per our tow truck driver with roadside assistance who helped tow the car home when I was trying to take my four year old to her class this week said this is very common and said hia nephew joined a lawsuit and low and behold I found this site.
My 2014 ford escape transmission went out 2 years ago at about 100k miles. It cost me about $5k to get replaced. 6 months and 3k miles later, it had to be replaced again. Luckily it was under warranty that time. The warranty is about to expire and in the last few weeks it has been surging/jerking like it did before the last 2 times before it went out on me. It’s currently been in the shop for almost 2 weeks. I had a 2002 Jeep Liberty before and it kept having minor issues, and I wanted to get a car that would be more reliable. Boy did I pick the wrong car. This ford has given me more problems than I ever would’ve dreamed. Paid $15k for it in 2022 and have put in probably $10k into it on top of that. It’s now worth maybe $10k, probably less. I am constantly stressed about what financial burden it’s going to create for me next and if it will break down in the middle of the road and leave me stranded. I am angry and this is a consistent issue with this car apparently and ford does not give a crap that they are causing significant financial and emotional stress to many.
I paid cash for my 2021 ford escape. It’s not even 5 years old. only 75k miles. Transmission is completely trash now. Ford said i need a new one and the estimate is $10,300 !!!
I have a 2014 escape with about 140,000 miles on it and my transmission is noisy and is going to fail. How do I make a claim?
I have A 2018 Ford escape and the transmission recently went out after I bought it and paid cash for it