Chicago, IL: Consumers from 14 states have filed a federal class action today against Ford Motor Co. in connection with alleged defects in Ford's vehicles causing and failing to prevent the unintended acceleration of those vehicles. The suit seeks compensatory relief on behalf of a proposed class of potentially millions of purchasers and lessees of Ford vehicles manufactured between 2002 and 2010.
Plaintiffs contend that Ford vehicles equipped with an electronic throttle control system are vulnerable to sudden unintended acceleration events, and that Ford has admitted that some of its vehicles are in fact prone to such acceleration. Their complaint alleges that the Ford vehicles share a common design defect in lacking adequate fail-safe features, including a reliable brake-over-accelerator system (also referred to as a "brake override system" (BOA)). Such a system is designed to allow a driver to overcome unintended throttle opening by returning the throttle to idle when certain conditions are met, allowing a driver to mitigate unintended acceleration by depressing the brake.
The lawsuit contends that Ford owners have experienced unacceptable rates of sudden unintended acceleration, citing a report issued in October 2011 by the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General. Plaintiffs allege that Ford should have prevented the SUA incidents by including the brake-over-accelerator system or other fail-safe systems in its vehicles. They maintain that, while Ford began installing a BOA system on some of its North American cars beginning in 2010, the company has failed to remedy, or even warn drivers about the lack of a brake-over-accelerator system on its earlier vehicles.
The action was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia in Huntington by leading securities litigation and consumer class action law firm of Grant & Eisenhofer P.A., and other firms.
Plaintiffs, individually and on behalf of all other class members, seek compensatory damages for the lost value of their cars, the difference between what they originally paid for their cars versus the actual value of their defective vehicles. Plaintiffs also seek injunctive relief, requesting that Ford fix the problem.
The case is styled as: Belville, et al. v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. 2:13-cv-11111 (U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, Huntington). Co-counsel to plaintiffs are the law firms of: Spilman, Thomas & Battle, PLLC; The Dicello Law Firm; Bucci Bailey & Javins L.C.; Bartimus, Frickleton, Robertson & Gorny, P.C.; Murray and Murray Co., L.P.A.; Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley PA; Siprut P.C.; Bremer, Whyte, Brown & O'Meara LLP; The Miller Law Firm, P.C.; and Davis, Bethune & Jones, LLC.
Ford Unintended Acceleration Class Action Legal Help
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My 05 Lincoln LS would suddenly accelerate while at a low speed and sometimes I was unable to effectively slow down using the brakes. Eventually there were fender benders as a result of this occurrence, which damaged the water pump and suddenly the vehicle was overheating and turning off. It is now permanently in engine failsafe mode due to the rapid acceleration.
Posted by ERNEST MITCHELL
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2000 LINCOLN LS CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IGNITION CAR WON'T START THEN LOCKS OUT AFTER SIT THEN WILL START..THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT WELL MADE FOR A LINCOLN..JUNK!
Posted by Tammy L walker
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My 03 Lincoln ls has given me more problems in July of 2016 I had the back brakes done 450)then in August of 2016 I had the entire cooling system replaced (1500) in November the power steering went out $265 then in June the front brakes were replaced $257 then in July the air just stopped working I replaced the dual valve and temperature door for $765 dollars a week later my car idles out of no where had to replace the tank $185 then two days later my car starts jerking when I put it in reverse and while driving and riverside ford tells there is nothing they can do because its too hard to find parts for my transmission so please tell me I qualify this car was not made to drive it should have just been on public display to look at help me please
Posted by Evelyn Gingrich
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Has anyone considered a class action lawsuit against Ford Mercury pertaining to the Transmission problems in the 2001 Lincoln ls????i'm ready to get it going anyone else interested?
Posted by emilie
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Yes not only did it have unintentional acceleration. I have a mercury mariner. When I bought it I had already thought I bought a lemon. Had to replace transmission torque converter at 18,000 miles.
I went through the BBB. Just like I was told to do.
They had my vehicle 3 times one time over 30 days.
I have always owned a Ford. They were great. This one a complete nightmare! I still have it. Headliner has been coming off for about 5 years now. Now the sun visor fabric is rotten. Paint bubbles all over vehicle. Transmission inside of vehicle. Jumped out of gear and decided to go auto pilot on hwy now I have hole on bezel. Passenger side air bag feels like its been deployed through seat. Drivers side I have to use a pillow there are sharp wires on seat!
That is only half my story.
Posted by Drew Dancoe
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What ever became of this Class Action Lawsuit? What is the fix for the problem?
Posted by Kevin Cole
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2002 lincoln ls, hesitates to take off in first gear, when i put it in reverse it shift really hard, I have a 5R55S transmission, alot off people have the same problems I'm having, and people are having to spend 1000s of dollars on repairs, let me know if I qualify for this lawsuit, thanks.
Posted by howard and carol dixon
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my 2003 Lincoln ls brake and acceleration did not work in the course of stopping properly, spend lots of money to try to get car to work properly.
Posted by Andrea Finley
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My 2007 Ford Edge suddenly had decreased power and check engine light came on. The mechanic is telling me that my entire computer system is down and all the coils are burnt up. Not sure which one caused it
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