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Ford water pumps class action overview:
- Who: A Ford driver is suing the automaker.
- Why: The customer says certain Ford vehicles have an internal water pump issue that can cause catastrophic engine failure.
- Where: The Ford water pumps class action was filed in a New York federal court.
Ford hid the fact that some of its vehicles may suffer a sudden internal water pump failure that poses significant safety risks to drivers including sudden catastrophic engine failure, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiff Mark Militello filed the class action lawsuit against Ford Motor Company Oct. 5 in a New York federal court, alleging violations of state consumer laws.
Militello alleges that, from 2007 through at least 2020, Ford has incorporated the Cyclone Engine—containing a faulty internal water pump—into thousands of vehicles.
He says the internal water pumps installed within the engines of the vehicles should last for the useful life of the engines without the need for any service, maintenance, or repair.
However, despite knowing for more than a decade that its vehicles incorporating the “Duratec engine” contain a defect in design that can cause the internal water pump to prematurely fail well before the end of the useful life of the engine, Ford continued to sell them and not cover the issue under warranty, the lawsuit alleges.
The issue can lead to a “costly replacement or catastrophic engine failure due to the water pump’s placement inside the engine block,” Militello says.
“Not only does Ford represent that the water pump will not need to be serviced or maintained, but the internal location of the water pump in the engine conceals it from view and inspection when other routine service is being performed on the Class Vehicles.”
Ford created unconscionable warranties, lawsuit alleges
Customers who have vehicles with the defect are not warned that due to the relatively inaccessible location of the pump in the engine, the cost to repair or replace the defective piece is significant, even in situations where the entire engine is not destroyed, the lawsuit says.
“Ford created its unconscionable warranties, including the durational limits, to transfer this cost of repair or replacement to Plaintiff and members of the New York Class, with the knowledge that the majority of Internal Water Pump failures would occur outside of the durational limits of the warranties,” Militello says.
He’s suing on behalf of anyone in New York who purchased one of the affected vehicles from an authorized Ford dealer. Militello is suing under New York consumer protection statutes and for violations of New York General Business Law.
He’s seeking certification of the class action, damages, interest, fees, costs and a jury trial.
In February, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted class action status to a lawsuit alleging certain Ford vehicles have defective water pumps that can cause engine failure.
Do you have one of the affected Ford vehicles with an alleged water pump issue? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Samuel H. Rudman, Robert M. Rothman, Francis P. Karam, Philip T. Merenda and Mark J. Dearman of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP.
The Ford defective water pumps class action lawsuit is Mark Militello v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. 6:22-cv-06425 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.
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171 thoughts onFord class action alleges vehicles contain defective water pumps
My 2014 Ford Explorer appears to have a coolant leak. The reservoir for coolant had to be filled. The fluid level was checked because the vehicle was no longer delivering cabin heat. I have taken the vehicle to Arnes mechanics in Blairsville GA. Should this turn out to be a water pump failure I would like to join the class action suit.
Same. Picked up our 2015 Explorer today, 39,800 miles. External leak due to water pump failure. Almost $3,000 repair bill.
how do we join this class action ?? we are struggling with this issue right now for our 2016 Ford Explorer and the repairs are $3800 the Ford dealer stated this is common known problem sorry Ford should have recalled these – ridiculous
Unfortunately, this happened to me. I still have my 2011 Ford Taurus Limited because I can’t afford a new car. However, I experienced the water pump rupturing in the engine, which caused me to have to have my engine rebuilt, amongst other issues, and now my check engine light will forever be on. I kept up the maintenance faithfully too. So, when this happened about 3 months after I paid my car off, I was heartbroken and devasted. I even tried reaching out to Ford with the utmost respect given, but to no avail. I just asked them to replace my car with the same make and model, but with a model that didn’t experience any water pump failures. I was desperate. The mechanic told me because of how the car was built, the water pump rupturing allowed water to go inside of the engine. I had zero problems with the car until this happened. Now the car only starts when it wants to, even after getting the engine rebuilt. I could not afford a used or new engine. I still have all of my paperwork for the services I received. I felt powerless because Ford is a billion-dollar company who probably doesn’t think twice about those who are financially challenged. I never missed one car payment ever, so after working so hard to pay this car off and finally owning something, I felt betrayed that Ford, our American Ford, would make a car this way and not try to do anything about the defect. I wasn’t asking for money because I loved my 2011 Ford Taurus, I just wanted it to be replaced.
I purchased a used 2017 Ford Explorer with 35K miles in mid 2018. The vehicle has been well maintained but, at the 85K mile oil change my regular mechanic noticed coolant leaking. He mentioned the potential problems with the 3.5L internal water pump engine. 2 weeks later my engine started leaking coolant like 2 year old with a cheap diaper. 85K miles and the water pump has failed, now I’m out $4375.00 for the replacement and repair of the water pump and $335.00 for the rental car so the mechanics could perform the 2-day fix.
I purchased my 2011 Explorer in 2012 which had been a Ford Lease vehicle from Lithia Ford in Boise. All maintenance and oil changes were done through the dealership. 12/27/2019 the water pump went out causing the engine to need a full replacement. Oil and coolant mixed and the timing belt shattered into the engine. I still in 2023 have not had the money to fix this car. We had to continue paying our car note until it was paid off while the car was not even running. I was part of the earlier dismissed lawsuit and would love my name added to this one. Andrew Vierra
2016 ford explorer xlt water pump went out at 110000 miles and cost 2200 to replace. My mechanic told me that it was a common problem and has replaced at least 20-30 in the last year or two.
I have a 2015 ford Taurus with 89000 miles on it. Car quit running. Had it towed to a mechanic shop. Mechanic said there is water in the oil. Causing timing chain to jump time. He said water most likely came from defective water pump. Will cost $9000.00 to replace engine.
I have a 2015 ford taurus with 88000 miles on it. The engine needs replaced because coolant got into the oil. mechanic said probably from leaking water pump.
I am in North Carolina, I have a 2017 ford Explorer XLT my water pump went down at 90,000 miles. One day my car said it was overheating and I went to check the coolant reservoir tank, it was completely empty after I had just put some in that morning I was stranded 30 minutes from home afraid to drive from the fear of causing engine damage. Now since having the pump repaired I’ve still faced problem after problem, my spark plugs and coils, my crankshaft and camshaft sensors, timing chain, VVT solenoid just a complete nightmare and it’s so sad that they won’t address this problem knowing the issue.