Ford is one of the top three best-selling vehicle brands in the U.S. (alongside Toyota and General Motors.) Its line-up includes cars, SUVs, vans, trucks, hybrid, and all-electric. For more than 40 years, the Ford F-150 truck has been the best-selling truck in the U.S. market. However, we receive complaints weekly about Ford vehicles that are defective, stuck at the dealership waiting for repairs, or simply too dangerous to drive.

Some of the most common problems that we hear about in Ford vehicles are:

Defective Transmission

The number one complaint that we hear about in Ford vehicles is a faulty transmission. Ford owners report slipping gears, knocking noises, and transmission leaks in the Ford Explorer; lunging and shaking in the Ford Mustang; and vibration and alignment problems in the Ford Focus. Some Ford owners have had to completely replace the transmission in their Ford vehicle (sometimes more than once.) We explain to these owners that they have rights under state lemon laws to protect them from repeated trips to the dealer, and weeks without a vehicle. And we use the power of the law to get their repairs, a replacement vehicle, or cash reimbursement.

Faulty Electricals

Functioning electricals are essential to a safe, roadworthy vehicle. Unfortunately, these are a problem in the Ford lineup. From defective remote starts and dead infotainment screens in the Ford F-150 to malfunctioning sensors and warning lights in the Ford Escape and Mustang, and complete loss of power steering in the Eco Sport, Ford has a multitude of electrical issues that it needs to address. In the meantime, Ford owners who are stuck with malfunctioning vehicles are protected by lemon laws which require auto manufacturers to repair defective new (or sometimes used) vehicles or give the owner a full reimbursement or replacement vehicle.

Engine Issues

While Ford vehicles across the line-up seem to be susceptible to engine problems, we get a huge number of complaints about faulty engines in Ford pickup trucks, in particular. The Ford F-150, F-250, and Ranger all experience engine issues, including blowing smoke, losing power while driving at freeway speeds, excessive oil consumption, loss of the powertrain, and complete engine blow out. Some clients have replaced the engine in their Ford vehicle more than once, and still have problems. An experienced lemon lawyer, like the attorneys at Timothy Abeel & Associates, can help these owners to get compensation or a replacement vehicle, and move on from their problem Ford.

Fluid Leaks

Oil leaks, water leaks, transmission fluid leaks – we have heard it all in Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs. Leaks can also cause additional problems such as rusting bodywork, water damage to interior upholstery, or electrical malfunctions (as we have seen with water leaking into the engine compartment of the Ford Escape.) In the Ford Explorer, transmission fluid leaks cause even more issues for owners already struggling with an unreliable transmission. In the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco, a March 2022 recall for oil leaks affected over 345,000 recent model year vehicles. All of these issues could take your Ford car or SUV off the road, and could be the basis of a lemon law claim.

Delays to Repairs and Parts

Many of the Ford owners that come to us with complaints about their defective Ford tell us that they cannot get their problem vehicle repaired because either the dealer does not know how to, or does not have the necessary repair parts. Delays in getting parts for repair is a problem across the automotive industry due to global manufacturing and supply chain difficulties. However, this does not mean that you, as the vehicle owner, have to suffer. Lemon laws protect you from being without a vehicle, or burdened with a defective vehicle, even when the delayed repairs are for a recall or are caused by factors out of the dealer’s control. Lemon laws require that the repairs be carried out within a reasonable time (typically 30 days but it differs by state) or the owner is entitled to compensation, a replacement vehicle, or reimbursement of the vehicle purchase price.

If you are having problems with your Ford car, truck, or SUV, Timothy Abeel & Associates may be able to help get you a replacement vehicle or reimbursement of your vehicle purchase price, all at no cost to you. Contact one of our experienced attorneys or check out our blog to find out more about what you can get in a lemon law claim and how the auto manufacturer pays your attorney fees. We will guide you through the lemon laws in your state, and we guarantee that we will never send you a bill for our fees. Contact us today for a free case review.

Timothy J. Abeel & Associates, P.C. represent clients throughout California, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Reviews can be seen on AVVO, Google, Glen Mills Yelp, Roseland Yelp, & Pittsburgh Yelp.