Ford Lawsuit Accuses Automaker of Concealing Fusion, Escape 6F35 Transmission Problems

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A new lawsuit alleges certain 2010-2020 Ford Fusion and 2009-2021 Ford Escape vehicles are equipped with defective transmissions that render the cars unsafe and unfit to drive. 

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The sprawling 533-page Ford transmission lawsuit, which was filed by hundreds of consumers who bought or leased the allegedly defective vehicles, claims the automaker knew of the problems with its 6F35 and similar transmissions since at least 2009, prior to selling affected Fusion and Escape models, yet failed to warn buyers and lessees. Worse, the suit claims, Ford has “repeatedly lied” to drivers with regard to the root cause of the Fusion and Escape 6F35 transmission defect, leaving consumers stuck in “unsafe” vehicles with diminished values that have necessitated pricey repairs. 

In particular, the consolidated action alleges the Fusion and Escape transmission defect reflects “a fundamental design failure with respect to the software, hardware, and how they work together.” The inherent failure of the transmissions’ command-and-control hardware and software systems to operate harmoniously has produced “a wide array of symptoms” consistent with those complained of by Ford drivers nationwide to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the suit shares. 

“By way of analogy, the technical history of the 6F35 transmission is similar to that of a classic Whac-A-Mole game; i.e., each time Ford implemented a proposed fix via a bulletin, a new issue emerged and/or that same issue was not completely resolved,” the lawsuit summarizes. 

As the case tells it, the “endemic problems” with Ford’s 6F35 transmission have sparked “countless lemon law claims nationwide,” even though the automaker has touted the transmission as offering more efficient power delivery, better fuel economy, and smoother, more precise shifting.  

“Due to defects in the transmissions, Ford’s failure to remedy these problems, and Ford’s fraud on consumers, Plaintiffs have been forced to join the ranks of tens of thousands of consumers who have sued Ford in courts nationwide for several years,” the complaint states. 

According to the lawsuit, the Ford transmission problem can cause sudden or unexpected shaking, violent jerking, delayed acceleration, gear slippage, acceleration hesitation, bucking and kicking on acceleration, a lack or loss of power, delayed downshifts, and premature wear and tear on internal parts. In other instances, the suit says, the transmission defect can cause total and catastrophic transmission failure, potentially in the middle of a roadway. 

“Many owners and lessees of automatic Fusion and Escape transmissions … frequently complain their Vehicles take an inordinately long time to accelerate from a stop or low speed, exhibit a hard deceleration or ‘clunk’ when drivers either slow down or accelerate at low speeds, shudder and shake or make a loud clunking or knocking sound when the transmission finally selects the appropriate gear ratio, and often fail to accelerate when needed. Finally, in addition to hesitations, slow response, and jerky/shuddering/bucking behavior, the lifespan of the transmission in Plaintiffs’ Vehicles is unreasonably short.” 

Per the suit, the plaintiffs and scores of other Ford Fusion and Escape drivers have requested that Ford fix the defective transmission in their vehicle, yet the company “could not or would not permanently repair it,” ostensibly because it does not have an effective solution. Any remedies Ford implements for the transmission problem are “merely temporary stop-gap measures destined to fail in the future,” the filing says. 

Ultimately, the design and execution of the software and hardware that controls the 6F35 and similar transmissions “simply did not produce a cohesive system that was capable of reliable and proper control,” the lawsuit claims, emphasizing that the transmission problems are indicative of fundamental design flaws “not isolated to a single part of calibration value.” 

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