Ford recalls vehicles, faces class actions in July, August

Ford recalls, class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Ford Motor Co. recently issued a pair of vehicle recalls, urged vehicle owners not to drive cars with recalled Takata-brand airbags, was the target of a class action lawsuit and had a motion to dismiss mostly denied by a Delaware federal judge. 
• Why: Ford initiated the recalls over window and steering wheel concerns. The class action lawsuits involve Ford EcoBoost engines. 
• Where: The recalls affect certain vehicle owners nationwide. The class action lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts. 

Ford Motor Co. recently issued a pair of recalls, warned consumers not to drive vehicles with recalled Takata-brand airbags and faced a class action lawsuit claiming it sold vehicles with defective Ford EcoBoost engines. 

Ford recalls Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus vehicles over window pinch concerns

Ford issued a recall for more than 70,000 model year 2024 Ford Ranger and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles earlier this month over concerns their windows may not automatically reverse while closing if an object is in the window frame. 

The automaker, which attributed the issue to software logic in the driver and passenger door modules, says it is concerned the problem could present a pinching hazard. 

“A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury,” the Ford recall says.

Ford says it will notify affected vehicle owners about the recall by mail starting Sept. 23 and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have their software updated. 

Ford Mustang vehicles recalled over concerns steering wheel can turn without warning

Ford issued a recall for more than 30,000 model year 2022-23 Ford Mustang vehicles in late June over concerns their steering wheels could turn without warning while the driver is trying to steer. 

The automaker says it is worried the secondary steering torque sensor on the recalled Mustang vehicles may not be properly calibrated, causing the steering wheel to possibly turn side to side against the driver’s intentions.

“Unintended steering assist can lead to loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash,” the Ford Mustang recall says.

Ford instructed consumers affected by the recall to take their vehicles to a Ford dealer to have their power steering control module software updated free of charge.

Ford, Mazda urge vehicle owners not to drive vehicles with Takata airbags

Ford, along with Mazda Motor of America, urged vehicle owners not to drive more than 457,000 vehicles equipped with recalled Takata-brand airbags. 

Earlier this month, the automakers told vehicle owners they must stop driving the recalled vehicles for their own safety and schedule a free repair. 

“Some of these vehicles are now more than 20 years old, which increases the risk of an air bag rupturing in a crash,” the recall says. “If an explosion occurs, it can severely injure or kill vehicle occupants.” 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed more than 27 people in the United States have been killed, and more than 400 injured, by a Takata airbag that exploded. 

Ford sold vehicles with defective EcoBoost engines, class action claims

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Ford earlier this month over claims the automaker sold vehicles equipped with Ford EcoBoost engines at risk of overheating and potentially catching fire. 

The class action lawsuit argues Ford failed to provide a remedy to fix the alleged “critical” defect, which the consumers claim causes engine coolant to leak into the engine’s cylinders and leads to “catastrophic” engine failures. 

“Ford has not satisfactorily or effectively addressed the source of the defect for those consumers, including for those whose vehicles remain in warranty,” the Ford EcoBoost class action says. 

Ford can’t escape claims it sold vehicles equipped with defective EcoBoost engines

In July, a Delaware federal judge ruled Ford must face a class action lawsuit claiming it manufactured and sold certain model year 2016 and newer economy, subcompact and compact vehicles equipped with defective Ford 1.0-liter EcoBoost engines. 

In a motion to dismiss the complaint, Ford argued the group of vehicle owners behind the class action lawsuit failed to take advantage of a December recall that would have provided them with free replacement parts and reimbursements. 

However, the judge ruled the vehicle owners were asking for compensation well beyond what the cost would be to simply repair or replace the defective engines, including for towing costs, rental car costs, other out-of-pocket expenses and the diminution in value of their vehicles.

Have you been affected by a Ford recall or class action? Let us know in the comments.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Tesla issues recall for Model X vehicles due to roof trim defect
• BMW issues recall for 720K vehicles over water pump issue
• Mazda class action claims thousands of vehicles have engine defect
• Toyota distributor announces recalls 33K+ vehicles for defective capacity labels