Lawsuit Targeting Ford for Faulty Transmissions Powershifts Into High Gear

by Steph Willems

Published: May 31st, 2017

lawsuit targeting ford for faulty transmissions powershifts into high gear

Ford’s dual-clutch PowerShift transmission has made the Blue Oval a number of enemies over the past several years. Now, nearly 7,000 U.S. Ford owners are looking for a pound of flesh.

A lawsuit filed against the automaker is seeking compensation for individual damages claimed by the plaintiffs, all of whom own a 2012-2016 Ford Focus or 2011-2016 Ford Fiesta. The suit, which is just the latest of many, contains a familiar complaint about Ford’s small-car tranny. Basically, that it’s awful, and not even an exorcist can free it from its demons.

The owners cite “shuddering, slipping, bucking, jerking, hesitation while changing gears, premature internal wear, delays in downshifting and, in some cases, sudden or delayed acceleration” as the reason for their dissatisfaction, Automotive News reports. Unlike some class actions, the persons behind this suit (filed late last month) aren’t simply looking to divvy up a pile of cash. Each plaintiff wants Ford to cover exact costs.

Ford has issued numerous technical service bulletins to dealers — the suit claims 20 — since the transmission’s debut, all in a bid to stem the flow of complaints. Despite software updates designed to smooth balky shifts, the plaintiffs claim no fix has worked.

Three years ago, Ford extended the powertrain warranty on PowerShift-equipped vehicles. The warranty went from five years or 60,000 miles to seven years and 100,000 miles. While Ford offered a similar extended warranty to Australian customers, that didn’t stop a class-action lawsuit filed from Down Under.

Ford settled another PowerShift-related American class action back in March.

“Ford must be held accountable for design and manufacturing defects of the PowerShift transmission that has compromised the safety of the vehicles and cost owners significant loss in vehicle value, reliable transportation and time,” said Ken Stern, founder and principal of Stern Law PLLC, in a statement. The firm filed the most recent suit with the Wayne County Circuit Court.

Ford hasn’t commented on the latest PowerShift lawsuit, only issuing a statement regarding its commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles.

#Ford #LawAndOrder #Lawsuit #PowerShift #Quality #Transmissions

Steph Willems

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6 of 45 comments

Zackman on May 31, 2017

That transmission in our rental Focus last fall in Florida drove both of us crazy, I thought it was a bad one. Why in the world would a car maker put a tranny in a car that felt like it was falling apart? Hope Ford puts a better one in its cars that came so-equipped.

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- 28-Cars-Later on May 31, 2017
  
  I wonder if Tres can shed any light on the "why Ford, why".
  
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65corvair on May 31, 2017

Had a '11 Fiesta with the manual. The car was junk. Had Focus rentals a couple of time. The first one my wife scolded me and told me to drive normal. I told her I don't know how to drive an automatic. My son is shopping for a small car like a Focus. I told him that the auto wasn't to be considered. I wonder if the '17's with the power shift is any better then in '11 when they were still new.

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- See 2 previous
- Kendahl on May 31, 2017
  
  Send him over to Mazda to look at a Mazda3. The old model, which was redesigned for 2014, was a close runner up to the 2013 5-speed Focus SE hatchback we bought.
  
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- Forward_look on Aug 31, 2018
  
  Every Focus I've rented in Europe was a 6 speed dream to drive, diesel or gas. My wife wouldn't drive a manual which was OK for a trip, but at home I have to drive a '15 Herky-Jerky. It shifts OK most of the time when you don't jiggle it and it hunts into kickdown.
  
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- Forward_look on Aug 31, 2018
  
  @forward_look I might also point out that I get over 40 MPG in mixed driving. Max is around 50 MPG on flat rural roads at 55 MPH. I almost bought a C-Max instead, would save very little gas for much more money.
  
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