​​Ford Dodges $1.2 Billion Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit

Ford Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit Dismissal Overview:

• Who: A Michigan federal judge has dismissed a $1.2 billion dollar class action lawsuit filed by consumers against Ford.
• Why: The judge said the consumers’ claims that Ford cheated on the fuel economy standards of F-150 and Ranger trucks did not stand up, and EPA fuel economy estimates were just that — estimates.
• Where: The case was litigated in Michigan district court.

A Michigan federal judge has dismissed a $1.2 billion class action lawsuit filed by consumers against Ford for allegedly cheating on the fuel economy standards of F-150 and Ranger trucks.

Judge Sean Cox backed Ford’s claims that the drivers’ allegations were preempted under federal Environmental Protection Agency laws, Car Complaints reports, and also sided with the automaker in its defense that the EPA fuel economy estimates are not real-world estimates.

Cox said in his ruling that mileage would vary and fuel economy “ratings are a useful tool for comparing the fuel economies of different vehicles but may not accurately predict the average [miles per gallon] you will get.”

Drivers Allege Ford Falsely States Fuel Economy Estimates, Judge Dismisses Claim

Drivers alleged that Ford vehicles’ fuel economy estimate window stickers were false, and the vehicles actually required much more fuel to operate than advertised. The plaintiffs, all F-150 and Ranger owners, said they and others were forced to pay thousands of dollars more for fuel because Ford cheated on tests.

Ford responded to the class action lawsuit saying that the company itself was the one that brought the issue to light through an internal investigation launched after employees filed reports on possible testing issues, and stressed that above all, the EPA estimates were just that — estimates.

Ford said that the EPA even says on-road testing, “will often yield different results than those obtained under the EPA’s testing process.” Cox ruled that drivers had fair warning of that, given the window stickers warned that results would vary.

But Ford isn’t free from its problems now the lawsuit has been dismissed; just last month the automaker had to recall nearly 250,000 super duty pickup trucks because the drive shafts can fracture and cause a loss of power. The recalled vehicles include F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickups from the 2017 through 2022 model years. 

Do you own a Ford? Let us know if you’ve had any issues in the comments section below!

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