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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1,300 thoughts onLawsuit alleges Ford Fusions, Escapes have defective transmissions
This has happened to me as well. Got my 2017 ford escape from a enterprise dealership and I wish I had read about how crappie ford escapes actually are. Transmission went out and I was quoted 8k for a new engine. I couldn’t believe it. I took care of my car as it was my 1st and I depended on it because I live where transportation is needed to get to work. There was no way I was able to afford it and by the grace of God I was able to get a completely different car but I was definitely out of a car for months. Worst part is I’m still responsible for the balance remaining on the car and all these “warranties” they have you get don’t actually help you when you need it. I got the car at 42k miles and was 89k, conveniently out of warranty for things to hit the fan. I would not wish an escape on my worst enemy. I have poured thousands into maintenance for tires, breaks, oil changes, everything under the sun and it still wasn’t enough to keep the car running. I even had issues with the fuel pump and cylinder misfires with the coil packs. Having that car humbled me in making sure I NEVER get another ford. That’s for sure. Even everyone around me talks about how the car was a scam. I wish I knew how horrible they were but the damage has been done.
Would we qualify for the settlement? Our 2019 Escape only has 22k miles on it.
I have a 2016 Escape with 161000 miles and the tranny went out. Do I qualify to join the lawsuit?
I have a 2019 Escape Titanium. I purchased it 2 years ago. It currently has 112,000 miles on it. A few weeks ago it started developing a vibration at certain times (1500 to 2500 rpms). I took it to the dealer last week and was told my torque convertor inside the transmission is going bad and my fluid is burnt meaning something in there is getting hot. The dealership wanted me to purchase another Ford transmission and the total cost including labor was going to be over $7000!!! I have found a transmission shop that is going to put a remanufactured transmission (not from Ford) in for $5000. That’s quite an expense for a car with just over 100,000 miles. Ford used to be reliable and I have wanted an Escape for several years. I never thought I would regret purchasing one.
I have a 2013 Ford Escape and have a bad transmission. I now either have to purchase a new one or buy a new car.
2016 Ford Suv Escape slipping issues transmission bucking like horse gears. Wish to be added as part of class action suit send me claim forms asap.
I have a payed off 2010 Ford fusion I’ve fixed a lot of stuff on the car have had it less than a year the transmission went out they want $4000 to fix it I can’t get another car because I don’t have great credit or approved for the financing to fix the transmission and my job is Uber so I’m out of a job with no car all the problems I’ve had with the car so far is sputtering losing power and shutting off for a few seconds unless you put it in neutral (DRIVING 60 ON HWY) and then try to start again hoping it would start first try with cars behind you then that stopped and it would jerk around when put in to gear or rev really high accelerating until it would go to the next gear it would shake and rattle I have a 10 month old son that is in the car with me a lot of the times these problems would appear and since I am out a job since my transmission went out and don’t have a great trade in now as well as not really having credit being a 25 year old new mom I can’t get approved for another car even with my husbands income
I would not have bought my 2020 escape had I known of this problem.
I purchased a 2014 escape ecoboost turbo and had to replace my transmission which cost $5500 in 11/22. I am now experiencing engine, fuel issues, stalling, sputtering. The cost of the repairs is astronomical. I have never had so many issues with any car I’ve owned as I have with this vehicle. I am currently unemployed, awaiting a decision for disability and cannot afford to fix a vehicle that I have 2 loans on due the transmission replacement. When purchasing the auto I was assuming I’d have a reliable vehicle and now more importantly than ever I need a reliable vehicle, which this is not. I’ve also gone through 5 sets of tires, ugh!! Please help
2016 ford escape transmission problems