Ford Fusion Coolant Leak Recall Overview
With more than 200,000 vehicles involved in the Ford Fusion coolant leak recall, the auto manufacturer has been compelled to address a severe safety defect in certain Ford vehicles that can increase the risk of fire.
In March, Ford announced that it would recall certain cars, SUVs, and vans because their 1.6-liter turbocharged engines can overheat if coolant levels fall too low, causing the cylinder head to break and spill oil. Internal coolant leaks can cause corrosion, engine misfire, engine failure, and even car fires.
If you have purchased or leased a Ford vehicle with severe engine problems in California, we can help you. As California’s top lemon law firm, the Lemon Law Experts have assisted countless clients across the state with lemons just like yours.
It appears that Ford does not have solutions for the coolant problem in their vehicles. Fortunately, we do. Our award-winning attorneys can help you get the justice and financial compensation that you rightfully deserve under California’s Lemon Law.
How do I know if My Ford is affected?
If the coolant levels in your Ford are extremely low or if you have experienced overheating in your car’s engine, your car may be affected by the coolant defect. Drivers typically do not notice their car has a coolant leak until the engine overheats. This problem can result in complete engine failure, which would require a full engine replacement.
There are numerous reviews online from Ford drivers who have had to replace their cars’ engines entirely out of pocket, without any help from the automaker.
When your car develops an internal coolant leak, the coolant separates from the engine oil. The engine cannot maintain engine oil under these conditions, resulting in the internal coolant leak.
An internal coolant leak can cause your car’s engine to fail completely. This greatly increases the risk of your Ford catching on fire. If your car is overheating, you may see smoke coming from the engine and cylinder head. The car’s check engine light may also turn on.
If you suspect that your Ford car has a coolant leak, you should stop driving it and take it in to an authorized service provider as soon as possible. It can be extremely dangerous to drive a car with this issue, since your car cannot cool down on its own. Sometimes, there are no warning signs that your car’s engine is overheating or that antifreeze is leaking onto the engine block.
What makes and models are affected?
The following 2010-2019 Ford vehicles may have coolant and engine defects:
- Ford Escape
- Ford Edge
- Ford Fiesta
- Ford Fiesta ST
- Ford Fusion
- Ford Transit Connect
- Lincoln MKC
- Lincoln MKZ
There is an ongoing class action lawsuit in Delaware that centers on Ford’s EcoBoost four-cylinder engines. The suit alleges that Ford has known about the coolant issue since pre-production testing conducted in 2010.
Numerous Ford drivers have made complaints about the Ford antifreeze problem to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ford Motor Company has released several technical service bulletins between 2018-2020 regarding the coolant problem, along with a massive 2017 Ford Fusion coolant recall.
The 2020 lawsuit argues that despite these actions, the automaker has yet to address the issue or offer any solutions for owners and lessees of affected Ford vehicles. The automaker is currently offering to install coolant level sensors in recalled vehicles; however, these sensors do not keep the coolant from leaking.
Who can join the lawsuit?
Your car may be included in the lawsuit if it is a Ford Edge, Ford Escape, Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKC, and Lincoln MKZ equipped with any of the following engines manufactured by Ford:
- 1.5L EcoBoost
- 1.6: EcoBoost
- 2.0L EcoBoost
The coolant/antifreeze problem is generally found in the Ford Fusion; however, other Ford vehicles and some Lincoln models may also be affected. The 2018 Ford Fusion overheating recall for instance, includes various other Ford models including the Escape, Fiesta ST, and Transit Connect.
Should I join the lawsuit?
There are several recall campaigns asking Ford to address the internal coolant leak problem and you are free to join these campaigns to seek compensation directly from the manufacturer.
Before doing so, you may want to speak with a qualified lemon law attorney who can review your legal options and see if you potentially qualify for an individual case against Ford instead of joining a class action.
Engine trouble in your Ford vehicle can qualify for lemon law relief. Rather than joining a class action lawsuit or campaign, you could file am individual lemon law claim.
A lemon law attorney can inform you of your legal rights and what you could receive in compensation for your Ford or other vehicle in a lemon law settlement. You can stand to earn much more through an individual claim rather than dividing a final settlement amongst potentially thousands of claimants in a class action suit.
What are my options?
It may be your best option if you are experiencing extensive engine issues with your Ford or other car is to file for an individual lemon law claim. You can receive much more in financial compensation through an individual claim than by joining a class-action lawsuit.
You can file a lemon law claim on your own, however, we highly recommend that you enlist the help of a skilled lemon law attorney in your area. The California lemon law is very nuanced and complicated. You should have an experienced lemon law attorney by your side so that you can maximize the potential of your remedies.
You should contact the Lemon Law Experts as soon as possible if you are experiencing overheating, engine failure, or coolant leaks in your vehicle. Driving a car with potentially severe engine problems is incredibly dangerous and the repairs can be quite costly.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to replace your car’s engine due to coolant leak problems, you may not receive any help from Ford. That is where the Lemon Law Experts can assist. Our team will make sure to hold Ford Motor Company accountable for failing to honor its agreement to create a car that you can feel safe in.
Let us know if you suspect that your Ford or other car may be a lemon. The Lemon Law Experts are available to review your case and inform you of what your options for recovery may be. For a free, no-obligation case analysis, please give us a call at 877-885-5366 or fill out an online form today.