Category: Ford

By Jonathan C. Cagliata

CCA’s expert lemon law attorneys are often contacted by frustrated Ford Explorer owners that are looking for solutions to problems plaguing their vehicles. While in recent years, Ford Explorers have been tremendously popular and successful vehicles for Ford Motor Company, Explorer owners have also experienced a wide array of serious and troubling defects. If your Explorer has suffered from excessive repairs or too much time in the shop, we invite you to contact CCA’s expert lemon law attorneys for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM. 

What issues commonly afflict 2013-2018 Ford Explorers?  

Unfortunately, for Explorer owners, many of the common issues with the vehicles afflict the most important and complicated parts of the vehicle: namely, the powertrain. Ford implemented its EcoBoost turbocharged engine into various 5th-generation Explorer models (starting in 2011) – this engine was meant to provide a more economical performance. However, these engines are the subject of numerous customer complaints and TSBs.

Common engine defects among Explorers, notably the 2016 Explorer, include illuminated CELs/MILs; loss of power (TSB 16-0122); fluid and oil leakage (TSB 18-2255; SSMs 47000 and 46253); squealing noises (SSM 48001) or fan noises (SSM 45932); difficulty starting, rough running, crank-no start, lack of power, loss of idle RPM or hesitation (TSB 13-9-8); long crank-to-start times and delayed harsh downshifting/upshifting (TSB 13-5-31); under-spec idle speed (TSB 17-0033), and even engine stalling or dying on operation. 

With respect to a sudden loss of power/stalling, Explorer owners have described freighting ordeals when their vehicles would malfunction. For instance, one 2016 Explorer driver from Syracuse, New York described a condition where “I was driving on the NYS thruway going around 70 mph when the car felt like it went out of gear. I looked at the speedometer and the car decelerated to 50 mph. I looked at the dash lights and it had the engine light wrench light and air bag lit up with see manual. I tried to accelerate and pushed the pedal all the way down and nothing. The car appeared to be in limp mode. Thank God a semi-truck was not behind me as my husband and I could have been killed.” Another described the powertrain problems as, “Car began chugging and lugging, especially when pulling hills at approx. 1000 miles. Took to a dealership and they replaced the throttle body. Problem has decreased but still remains. It acts like a standard transmission vehicle and feels like the RPMs are not high enough to pull, because when I have it in sport mode and keep the RPMs above 2000, it doesn’t do it, or at least I can’t feel it.”

Other powertrain issues experienced by Explorer owners include repeat Check Engine Lights, Throttle Control Failures, Oil Leaks, Premature, Transmission Failure, Thumping and Rattling in the Transmission, and other serious issues.

Explorers also experience various seating-related defects, from improperly strengthened back cushions to sharp components in places with lowered visibility (i.e. between the seat and center console, where the seat is adjusted). Some Explorers experienced steering issues, including loss of power steering and unusual noise during operation. Explorers also experience paint bubbling, peeling, and/or blistering, sometimes with associated white dust, resulting from corrosion damage. Customers of various Explorer models also complain of mysterious exhaust fumes and related odors in the cabin.  

Ford’s recalls, TSB’s, SSMs (special service messages), other efforts to address the problems in Ford Explorers:

Ford Motor Company has issued a litany of Special Service Messages, Technical Services Bulletins, and Recalls to try to address these conditions.  For instance:

Special Service Messages:

• SSM 46253 – Oil Leakage; remove and reseal the EOP sensor
• SSM 47000 – Fluid Leakage; replace intermediate shaft seal
• SSM 47948 – For all turbocharge-related concerns involving diagnosis or replacement, turbocharger oil supply filter must be replaced along with relevant turbocharger/turbocharger oil supply tube replacement, as the turbocharger bearing may fail if oil starvation occurs as the result of a restricted filter
• SSM 48001 – Squealing Noise from Accessory Drive Belt; new drive belt released, to replace old model

Technical Service Bulletins:

• TSB 13-9-8 (covered by warranty) – Driveability Concerns in 2012-14 Explorers equipped with 2.0L GTDI engine, including difficulty starting, rough running, crank-no start, lack of power, loss of idle RPM or hesitation; all potentially caused by wiring concern in signal return splice (to be replaced as needed).
• TSB 13-5-31 (covered by warranty) – long crank-to-start times and delayed harsh downshifting/upshifting in 2013 Explorers; calls for reprogramming of PCM
• TSB 18-2255 (covered by warranty) – Fluid Leakage; replace intermediate shaft seal
• TSB 17-2124 (covered by warranty) – Heated O2 Sensors in 3.5L TDIs; replace affected sensors
• TSB 17-0033 (covered by warranty) – 2016-17 Explorer with 2.3L engine may exhibit idle speed below spec in situations like heavy traffic or parking lot navigation; calls for reprogramming PCM
• TSB 16-0122 – MIL for lack of power in 2.3L TDIs, due to turbocharger wastegate actuator rod disconnecting from wastegate; reconnect
• TSB 16-0028 – 2002-18 Explorers equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbling/peeling paint, sometimes with white dust. Affected panels are uninstalled and replaced.

Recalls:

• Recall 19S17 – 2011-17 Explorer rear suspension toe links may fracture due to stress on rear suspension, increasing the risk of a crash
• Recall 13S04 – 2013 Explorer fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak
• Recall 14S06 – 2011-13 Explorer may experience intermittent connection in electric power steering gear, which may cause loss of motor position sensor signal and subsequent shut down of power steering assist
• Recall 15S11 – 2011-13 Explorer interior door handle return spring may unseat, leading to door potentially unlatching during side impact, thereby increasing risk of personal injury
• Recall 17S40 – 2016 Explorer with loose power seat adjuster may cause front seat cushions to detach & not properly restrain seat occupant in the event of a crash
• Recall 19S29 – 2017 Explorer power front seat frames may have sharp edges, posing risk of personal injury
• Recall 19C07 – 2018-19 Explorer equipped with manual front seat back recliner mechanisms may be missing third pawl required by Federal Motor Safety Vehicle Standard no. 202, “Head Restraints”, and 207, “Seating Systems”, for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back and thereby increasing the risk of personal injury

How Can We Help with Your Ford Explorer? 

If you are purchased or leased a 2013 or newer Ford Explorer and experienced serious vehicle concerns, we invite you to contact the expert lemon law attorneys at CCA for a free consultation.  Our attorneys have a track records of exceptional settlements with Ford Motor Company and can help you to obtain an excellent result under California’s strong consumer protection laws.  Please call us today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

By: Jim Martinez, Esq.

The Ford Escape is one of the top-selling vehicles in the country. This should come as no surprise, as Ford has offered the American public basic, affordable vehicles for over a century. However, the affordability of its vehicles often comes at a high, hidden cost – long-term reliability. Often, catastrophic issues with the Escape’s engine or transmission, particularly the 2014-2019 Ford Escapes, can occur both inside and outside of the vehicle’s warranty.

The Ford Escape has been the subject of frequent complaints from Escape owners/lessors, particularly with regard to the engine and transmission. For instance, drivers of Ford Escapes report all manner of transmission issues, from frequent fault warning lights and fluid leaks and abnormal noises, to severe driveability concerns, such as hesitation, hard shifts, violent transmission shudders and clunking while changing gears, and even the inability to change gears at all and outright failure.  Quoting one disappointed owner of a 2016 Escape, “When I took this in to address the issue, I was told that I must be hypersensitive. The car not only shudders but it clanks to when shifting between gears. While driving, it literally vibrates constantly. I can even feel it in the seat. The dealerships are useless at addressing these concerns.”  

Compounding the issues with the transmission are the common engine concerns voiced by Ford Escape owners/lessors. Among those are overfilled crank cases, overheating engines, oil leaks, engine knocking engine stalls and failures while the vehicle is in operation, vehicle shuddering and stalling at idle, unintended engine acceleration and surges.  For instance, one owner of a 2017 Escape 1.5-Liter EcoBoost described the issues as, “Engine loss of power on highway with [Check Engine Light] illuminated. Engine resumed after pulling over, but running rough. [Check Engine Light] was P0302, cylinder 2 misfire. Replaced plugs and swapped coils, cylinder 2 was bad, did not fix misfire. Took to dealer and was informed that [cylinder] 2 had complete loss of compression and head needed replaced. Was informed that this was a very common issue and they have had to do this dozens of times on 1.5L ecoboosts (Fusion and Escapes spanning 2014-2019).”  

Thousands of documented complaints regarding Ford Escape engines and transmissions can be found on online consumer forums and government websites. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) has tracked consumer complaints and in some instances, has launched investigations into these issues.

To address these transmission and engine defects, Ford has issued dozens of technical service bulletins (“TSBs”) to their authorized repair facilities (mainly Ford dealerships). These TSBs instruct Ford authorized service personnel to conduct what amount to “Band-Aid” fixes. However, these fixes fall short of permanent resolution of these issues. 

Both the transmission and engine failures go beyond everyday inconvenience and repeated visits for service and repair; they pose risks to the drivers and passengers of Ford Escapes, along with posing a danger to those motorists with whom they share the road. Unexpected acceleration and stalls while in operation present unreasonable risk of collision, while engine oil leaks coupled without overheating vehicles create unreasonable fire hazards. In fact, there have been accidents caused by these issues. 

Moreover, transmission failures occur at relatively low mileage as compared with like engines/transmissions. The Ford Escape comes with a three year, 36,000 mile basic warranty, 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty. Ostensibly, this means that Ford will repair or replace faulty engines or transmissions within 5 years or 60,000 miles. But once that mileage or time period expires (whichever comes first), the owner/lessor of a Ford Escape with a failing or failed engine or transmission is out in the cold, left to pay thousands of dollars for engine/transmission repairs, or an entirely new engine/transmission. Of course, it goes without saying that engine or transmission replacement are among the most expensive repairs that can be performed on a motor vehicle.

If you have experienced any of these issues with your Ford Escape, do not despair! The attorneys at CCA can help. Our attorneys have decades of accumulated experience in fighting auto manufacturers and are ready to assist you. Call (833) LEMON FIRM for a short, free consultation. 

By Erik K. Schmitt, Esq.

Ford Motor Company often boasts that its award-winning F-series line of pick-up trucks: “Build Ford Tough.” However, despite the accolades, Ford’s trucks have become associated with a much more notorious (and scary) phrase: the “Death Wobble.” As it turns out, a small bump in the road might cause these trucks to not be as “tough” as Ford would like its customers to believe.

For the past 15+ years, drivers of Ford’s Super Duty F-250/350 pickup trucks have suffered from a pervasive suspension problem that causes a condition known as the “death wobble.” The death wobble is a frightening experience where the truck violently shakes after hitting a bump or groove in the road at highway speeds. It can lead to the loss of control and difficulty steering, even under regular driving conditions. 

According to a recent class-action lawsuit filed in 2019 (Lessin v. Ford Motor Company), the death wobble is caused by a defect linked to abnormal wear and/or loosening of the track bar bushing, damper bracket, ball joints, control arms, shocks and/or struts. The lawsuit alleges that Ford knew that components within 2005-2019 F-250 and F-350 suspension systems are prone to failure, but failed to notify customers or even properly address the problem.  The lawsuit alleges, “The violent shaking of the vehicle can cause loss of control of the vehicle and difficulty steering while the [vehicles] are in operation at any time and under typical driving conditions or speed. This exposes the driver and occupants of the [vehicles], as well as others who share the road with them, to an increased risk of accident, injury, or death.”  

The death wobble has led to a litany of complaints from consumers, auto dealers, and even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the lawsuit, NHTSA allegedly received 1,265 reports of the “death wobble” defect between March 2005 and February 2019, with some of these reports describing series accidents and injuries due to the dangerous defect.  The Complaint alleges, “The Defect causes the Class Vehicles to lose steering control during normal operation and poses a serious risk of crash without warning. As discussed below, Plaintiff and numerous Class Vehicle owners and lessees have reported that the Defect causes a sudden loss of steering control, a violent front-end vibration and swaying of the Vehicles—an event that has been referred to as a “Death Wobble….” The Death Wobble is typically triggered when the Class Vehicles are traveling at speeds above 50 miles per hour and one of the tires hits a groove or bump in the road. This causes a violent shaking of the vehicle, which can only be controlled by a sudden reduction of speed.”  

The notorious death wobble is also well-documented in YouTube videos, NHTSA Complaints, and complaints on other websites (See, e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EuQ6f8rgT4). Yet, even with all the complaints, Ford still has not issued a recall or proper fix that would keep drivers of these trucks out of harm’s way. In fact, Ford-authorized repair facilities sometimes blame the consumer for not maintaining the truck properly, which often results in Ford failing to honor the truck’s warranty through no fault of the owner. 

CCA’s attorneys are experienced in Ford Motor Company cases and have the technical and legal know-how to handle Ford F-150, F-250, and F-350 “death wobble” cases.  After a short and free consultation, we can evaluate if your Ford truck qualifies for repurchase under California’s lemon law, and even fight back if Ford claims your warranty is voided by an inherent defect that you had nothing to do with. If your Ford Truck suffers from the infamous “death wobble,” contact a CCA attorney today at (833) LEMON-FIRM for a free consultation.