Ford Challenges Class Action Alleging Fire Risk in Hybrid Vehicle Engines

Ford is seeking the dismissal of a class action lawsuit related to alleged fire risks in one of its hybrid vehicle engines, reports Ford Authority.

After issuing two recalls for the 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick, and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair equipped with 2.5L hybrid or plug-in hybrid engines over an engine fire risk, the automaker has faced multiple lawsuits over the issue.

One of them, Anthony Pacheco v. Ford Motor Company, is now being challenged by the automaker, which argued that none of the plaintiffs have any proof that defects in their vehicles led to vehicle fires. 

Only two cases in the class action involved fires, with others purchasing vehicles after the recall was issued and experiencing no issues. Many plaintiffs have said they are anxious over the engine defect, but Ford has countered that is only speculative fear, and would not hold up in court.

Additionally, in its dismissal request, Ford lambasted claims that it knowingly sold vehicles to consumers with defective engines.

“And, as in so many such actions, purported class representatives do not grapple with the absurdity of their notion that a car company knowingly concealed a defect that, when it manifests, might result in a fire, when that same company would have to spend far more to fix on recall what could have been fixed presale at the factory,” stated the company.