Top Class Actions  |  July 2, 2014

Category: Consumer News

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ford class action lawsuitFord Focus and Fusion owners have slapped Ford Motor Co. with a class action lawsuit, claiming the automaker falsely advertised that the vehicles’ electronic power assisted steering enhanced vehicle safety despite allegedly knowing the system is “prone to sudden and premature failure,” causing drivers to lose their ability to steer the car.

The advanced power steering system placed in 2010-2014 Ford Fusion and 2012-2014 Ford Focus vehicles was supposed to provide drivers the ability to feel the road better and have the wheel respond differently depending on speed. The new system, however, has been the subject of hundreds of complaints regarding loss of power steering, according to the Ford class action lawsuit.

Most power steering systems are powered by hydraulics, meaning that a chemical inside a piston works with the driver’s input to move the linkage and turn the wheels. Since the system is connected to the engine, it will function even if many other aids fail. The electrical steering in the Ford Fusion and Focus work much differently.

Ford’s stated goal was to improve steering feel for customers so that at higher speeds and in a parking lot would feel different and provide more feedback. By taking the hydraulic component out of it, the Ford class action lawsuit alleges, there would be less strain on the engine, resulting in improved fuel economy. However, five alleged defects in the Ford power steering class action lawsuit can all lead to failure, and unlike with other cars, there is no hydraulic back up.

The alleged Ford power steering defect can occur in a number of ways, but many focus on the ribbon cable that connect different components. They can become malformed by certain coatings, or their pins misaligned. Other problems include the gear assembly and issues regarding the sensors. Regardless, the net result, according to the Ford steering defect class action lawsuit, is the same: total loss of steering and the potential for a fatal accident.

Ford allegedly knew of these issues as early as 2010 during pre-production testing, and employee communications dating back to 2011 also exist, the Ford class action lawsuit claims.

The Ford power steering defect class action focuses on two points. One is the fact that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received hundreds of complaints regarding the electrical steering of the Ford Fusion and the Ford Focus. The other is that the company issued a recall for late model Ford Explorers which also use the electronic power-assisted steering system. In spite of that, the plaintiffs say they were not warned of the defect or were asked to pay significant costs to repair the system. Currently, the Ford class action lawsuit alleges no permanent solution exists.

The Ford power steering defect class action lawsuit is seeking to represent a proposed Class of all current and former owners/lessees of a defective 2010-2014 Ford Fusion or 2012-2014 Ford Focus.

The plaintiffs are represented by class action attorneys from Baron & Budd PC, Grant & Eisenhofer PA and Spilman Thomas & Battle PLC.

The Ford Power Steering Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Philips, et al. v. Ford Motor Co., Case No. 14-cv-02989 in U.S. District for the Northern District of California.

UPDATE: On Feb. 22, 2016, a federal judge struck down Ford’s argument that claims in the case should be trimmed from the class action lawsuit in light of its recent recall.

UPDATE 2: On Mar. 24, 2016, Ford Motor Co. asked a federal judge to dismiss an implied warranty claim in a proposed class action suit against the car manufacturer over faulty power steering claims in certain models of Focus and Fusion vehicles. Ford stated that the claim was already dropped previously and could not be added back as part of the current lawsuit.

UPDATE 3: On May 3, 2016, a federal judge denied Ford Motor Co.’s request to dismiss implied warranty claims from a consumer class action lawsuit alleging the power steering system in some Ford cars is prone to failure.

UPDATE 4: On Sept. 19, 2016, Ford opposed class certification by arguing the plaintiffs’ claims don’t raise issues common to the proposed Class.

UPDATE 5: On Dec. 22, 2016, a California federal judge denied a motion for Class certification in a class action lawsuit filed by three Ford drivers who allege certain Ford Focus and Fusion vehicles are affected by a power steering defect.

UPDATE 6: On Jan. 10, 2017, Ford Motor Company asked the court to grant summary judgement in a class action lawsuit brought by California drivers who say the automaker concealed certain power steering defects in Fusion and Focus cars.

UPDATE 7: On February 16, 2017, Ford won summary judgment, resulting in several consumers’ claims being tossed from the class action lawsuit.

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26 thoughts onFord Focus, Fusion Steering Problems Lead to Class Action Lawsuit

  1. Dennis Delap says:

    EVERYONE, spread your distaste for Ford EVERYWHERE and all over the internet !!! Spread the word that Ford is a nasty, crooked company !!!

    1. Lisa Medeiros says:

      This is really sad!! My Mom’s 2011 Ford Fusion steering went, needs power steering module etc… Ford Dealer stated they don’t have a recall on that model but do on the V-6. How can they have a recall on the 2011 V-6 & not the 4 cylinder? This is total BS, unacceptable! They want 2,500 to fix it. Other mechanic wants somewhere over 1,000 to fix it. Mechanic stated he doesn’t know why they don’t have a recall on the 4 cylinder when it’s exactly the same to put it in etc… Any advice to get a recall on the 4 Cylinder?

    2. Mike Bock says:

      Ford SUCKS, they won’t do the right thing & repair ALL Ford Fusions with the known Steering Problem.

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