The action was filed April 2 in Vancouver on behalf of all Canadian residents “who owned or leased a Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang, Ford Ranger, Ford F-150 or Lincoln Navigator from model years 2017/2018 to the present manufactured by Ford and equipped with a 10R80 10-speed transmission,” according to an April 4 news release issued by class counsel law firm Charney Lawyers.
The suit alleges that the transmission has been linked to “significant operational issues.” Owners of the noted vehicles have reported problems that include difficulty shifting gears, unintended lunging when shifting from park to drive, shuddering and shimmying while in motion, sudden gear shifting not initiated by the driver, and premature wear of transmission components and clutch plates.
The 10R80 10-speed transmission was said to have been developed through a joint venture between Ford and General Motors.
“Since the introduction of the 10R80 transmission in 2017, Ford and its Canadian counterpart have been inundated with consumer complaints,” according to the firm. “Numerous reports on internet forums and direct complaints to Ford highlight ongoing issues with shifting, jerking and unintended downshifting at high speeds.”
It noted that government agencies have taken action in response to the concerns. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an investigation into “unexpected downshifting incidents in Ford F-150 vehicles from 2015-2017,” potentially impacting 1.3 million vehicles.
Similarly, Transport Canada also began looking into complaints regarding unintended downshifting in 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission after it received 11 consumer complaints.
The proposed class action has yet to be certified.
If you have information, story ideas or news tips for Law360 Canada on business-related law and litigation, including class actions, please contact Anosha Khan at anosha.khan@lexisnexis.ca or 905-415-5838.