A lawsuit has been filed against Ford after six Ford vehicle owners experienced a defect resulting in fire risks, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Filed this past Tuesday in Detroit, Michigan, the lawsuit alleges that a solution offered by Ford for a past recall did not address prior issues and even worsened the situation.
At least 125,322 vehicles are affected by the defect, including particular models of the 2020-2023 Ford Escape Hybrid, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid, and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid.
When Ford issued an initial July 2022 recall, Ford’s solution was to drill holes in the under-engine shield and remove blinds from the active grille shutter. The lawsuit has argued that this allowed flammable vapors and liquids to spill out of the vehicle, leaving the vehicles “just as likely to blow up and eject parts and flammable fluids and vapors ... as they were before.”
These vehicles contain a 2.5L hybrid electric vehicle engine or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle engine that “were prone to 'blowing' and causing spontaneous fires.”
No deaths or burn injuries have been reported, but the lawsuit claims 23 of these fires occurred prior to Ford’s recall.
In a statement to the Detroit Free Press, Ford spokeswoman Maria Buczkowski said the company is notifying customers to park their vehicles if drivers detect signs of an engine block breach.
