Lawsuit: Ford Transit Van Recalls Fail to Compensate Consumers

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A proposed class action lawsuit against Ford Motor Company claims the manufacturer neglected to adequately compensate consumers for losses incurred when the driveshaft flexible coupling failed in their Transit vans. Ford reportedly announced a safety recall on June 28, 2017 informing consumers that the “flex disc” in 2015 to 2017 Transit van models is prone to failure after 30,000 miles, resulting in “catastrophic” damage and danger to the vehicles’ occupants. According to the complaint, the flex disc can crack and break, causing the van’s drive shaft to separate from the transmission and damage surrounding parts, “including brake and fuel lines, the transmission, rear end differential, torque converter, evaporation container, and other parts.” When the drive shaft separates, the driver apparently loses control of the brakes and engine power, which can cause significant danger on the road. The complaint further argues that the drive shaft can “catch” on the ground below and pierce through the vehicle’s cabin or “catapult” the entire vehicle into a flip.

The suit alleges that Ford knew about the faulty flex discs long before issuing the recall and failed to inform consumers. In addition, the recall purportedly offers no solution to the problem. Ford instructs Transit owners/lessees to replace their flex disc every 30,000 miles until a permanent solution is available, causing them to routinely lose operation of their vans for an indefinite amount of time, the complaint says. The plaintiff – a business located in Kentucky – claims the recall also fails to compensate for the out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of flex disc failure. Two of the plaintiff’s vehicles supposedly suffered significant damage when the defective parts broke and cost over $10,000 each to repair.

The suit seeks to cover a proposed class of people who purchased or leased a 2015-2017 Ford Transit in Kentucky for purposes other than personal, family, or household use.