by Lawsuit Against Ford Over Missing Safety System
Ford is facing a class action lawsuit in the US because some models of the 2024 F-150 Lightning electric pickups, which were advertised with the forward sensing system, were delivered without it. The plaintiffs claim that the company misled them by indicating this feature on the vehicle labels, leading to financial losses.
Lawsuit Details and Compensation Offer
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of California, emphasizes that the labels on the 2024 F-150 Lightning models clearly indicate the presence of the forward sensing system, which includes front bumper parking sensors. Ford informed dealers on March 31 that all vehicles advertised with this system were manufactured without it, and offered customers a $100 compensation, describing it as a labeling error.
The plaintiffs claim that Ford misrepresented the features listed on the window labels.
Position of the Plaintiff
Ibrahim Lunawadawala, the lead plaintiff in the case, believes the offered compensation is insignificant, as installing similar sensors after purchase costs significantly more. The lawsuit states that Ford is not prepared to provide adequate compensation to the affected consumers.
The plaintiff has suffered substantial losses due to Ford’s false claims, including a reduction in his vehicle’s value and other consequences.
Broader Context of Ford’s Problems
This lawsuit emerged shortly after Ford announced an indefinite suspension of F-150 Lightning production, redirecting resources to gasoline and hybrid models. This decision was related not only to declining sales of electric pickups but also to a major fire at the Novelis plant in Canada, which supplies aluminum for the production of all F-150 models.
This situation highlights the complexities faced by automakers during the transition to electric vehicles, including supply chain issues and marketing accuracy. The absence of key safety features can undermine consumer trust, especially when compensation does not match the actual costs. Furthermore, the temporary halt in F-150 Lightning production may impact Ford’s long-term strategy in the electric vehicle sector, where competition is intensifying.
