Ford Hit with Class Action Over Alleged Trunk Lid Wiring Harness Defect in 2015-2017 Mustang Models

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A proposed class action alleges 2015-2017 model year Ford Mustangs are hampered by a “dangerous and defective” trunk lid wiring harness that can cause critical safety equipment and other features to function intermittently or not at all. 

The 18-page lawsuit, filed in Illinois, alleges the Mustang trunk lid wiring harness defect can and does interfere with everything from a vehicle’s backup camera, trunk release and trunk light to its satellite radio reception, and poses a significant safety risk to drivers, passengers and the public.

Mustang owners and lessees who attempt to repair the problem are often told the fix will be costly, the case claims. Per the suit, defendant Ford Motor Company has communicated to service technicians a repair procedure that is “dangerous, inadequate, and does not repair the original defective wiring harness.” Drivers are routinely told by Ford dealers and other repair providers that no problem could be identified with their Mustang as the trunk lid wiring harness continues to malfunction, the lawsuit claims.

For its part, Ford, prior to selling 2015-2017 Mustang models, knew that the trunk lid wiring harness found in the vehicles was defective yet “omitted and kept this material fact from Plaintiff and other Class members,” the complaint alleges. The suit cites a December 2018 technical service bulletin in which Ford informed service techs of the wiring harness problem and recommended a repair procedure. 

Ford has neither recalled 2015-2017 Mustangs, remedied the wiring harness defect nor made owners and lessees whole, much less made the vehicles safe, the lawsuit alleges. The case explains the trunk lid wiring harness is composed of several separate wires that transmit power and data to a Mustang’s backup camera, luggage compartment lamp and lid release and satellite radio antenna within a single wire loom. 

“The defective wiring harnesses included in the Subject Vehicles purchased or leased by plaintiff and other Class members did not perform as advertised, as promised, and as warranted,” the suit reads, alleging that the vehicles proposed class members received were “fundamentally different” than what they believed they were buying. 

The suit looks to represent consumers and entities in Illinois who bought or leased a 2015 through 2017 Ford Mustang for end use and not resale. 

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