Ford is a bit red in the face after another lawsuit was filed over an EcoBoost issue. It’s a heavy knock, considering that the last time the company was sued, it cost the auto giant a whack of cash to rectify and caused substantial reputational damage to the brand. The first case involved defective 1.0L EcoBoost engines, which plaintiffs claim the company was aware of but did nothing to fix. The new filing involves the 2.7L EcoBoost engines, which had to be recalled in 2024.
Ford’s nightmare isn’t over: A fresh EcoBoost lawsuit has been filed
American auto giant Ford has another massive headache just a few years after its lawsuit over its EcoBoost three-cylinder engine. The new class action lawsuit has to do with the larger 2.7L EcoBoost engine, which is the engine that’s installed in the Bronco, among other Ford and Lincoln models. The system reportedly had an intake valve fault.
Even though Ford addressed the supposed fault in the powertrain in a large-scale recall in 2024, some affected Ford buyers insisted on taking their grievances to court. Dan Silberman from New York and Matthew Barkus from Pennsylvania are the two plaintiffs in the new case.
Silberman bought a 2021 Ford Bronco with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine while Barkus purchased a 2021 Ford F-150 with the same engine. Neither Silberman nor Barkus actually experienced any issues with their vehicles’ intake valves, but the drivers say they wouldn’t have bought the models or paid the prices they did if they had been aware that there were potential problems with the engines.
Barkus and Silberman’s class-action lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, claims:
“Ford has yet to provide an adequate remedy, such as a replacement of their defective valves, or compensate consumers for the amount they overpaid for these defective vehicles.”
What was the problem with the EcoBoost engines?
The fault that Ford had to address in a massive recall of 90,736 vehicles involved intake valves at risk of cracking or breaking. All of these had been produced between May 1 and October 31, 2021, and all were fitted with either the 2.7-liter EcoBoost or the bigger 3.0L engine. Ford first became aware of the problem in 2022 through owner petitions, prompting a call for further action.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a faulty intake valve could lead to catastrophic engine damage and ultimately, complete loss of power.
Which models were recalled due to a potential intake valve fault?
These are the affected models that were reportedly at risk of an intake valve problem:
- Ford Bronco
- Ford Edge
- Ford Explorer
- Ford F-150
- Lincoln Aviator
- Lincoln Nautilus
If you’re in the market for a vehicle, it would serve you well to review the list of least reliable cars to avoid in 2025 so that you don’t end up with problems on your hands down the line. There are two Fords on the list and the other specific models are made by GMC, Chevrolet, and Rivian.
How was the issue addressed?
In Ford’s recall, EcoBoost engines were replaced with an assembly of valves within specification for hardness. Obviously, Ford didn’t charge for this, and anyone who had already fixed their vehicles before the recall was reimbursed. Ford also provided an extended warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles to keep existing customers happy.
What was the first Ford lawsuit about?
The first lawsuit claimed that Ford Motor Company was fully aware of the defective 1.0L EcoBoost engines installed in the 2016 to 2021 Focus, Fiesta, and EcoSport models but allowed them to be sold for years anyway. The fault had to do with a risk of fracturing of the oil-drive belt tensioner arm, which would lead to power loss, catastrophic engine failure, or activation of the limp mode, all of which posed significant safety risks.
Plaintiffs say Ford failed to adequately address the issue or disclose the severity of the defect and demanded equitable relief in the form of vehicle buybacks, damages, and penalties. Although Ford has offered temporary engine replacements, replacement parts are not expected until 2025, which means that until then, many owners can’t drive or sell their vehicles.
Ford is not the only major auto manufacturer that has had trouble with faults and recalls. The Hyundai Motor Group had to recall more than 200,000 vehicles in the United States over a “drive power” problem.
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