While Ford hasn’t given up on V8 engines, the EcoBoost V6 is objectively better for a multitude of applications, from trucks like the F-150 to supercars like the Ford GT and anything in between. Available as either a 2.7-, 3.0-, or 3.5-liter V6, the former two versions have landed the Blue Oval in hot water recently following a new lawsuit filed against the American automaker. While the EcoBoost nameplate has been the center of lawsuits in the past – most notably a $1.3 billion suit over the three-cylinder EcoBoost motor a few years ago – this one sees the plaintiffs asking for just $5 million. But what are their grounds, and do they have a leg to stand on?
This article focuses solely on the issues outlined in Barkus, et al., v. Ford Motor Company lawsuit.
Why Ford Is Being Sued
Ford is being sued because of a fault in its EcoBoost V6 engine, which had previously caused a federal investigation and a subsequent recall. The recall affected several Ford and two Lincoln models:
All the affected models were produced between 2021 and 2022. The fault that affected these vehicles was defective intake valves in the EcoBoost V6 engine. According to a recall notice issued by the NHTSA, Ford’s EcoBoost engine contained an intake valve likely to crack and break.
This fault was caused by the intake valve possibly having a grinding burn, which is a type of thermal damage caused by too much heat generated during the grinding process that will result in the intake valve hardening and becoming prone to damage. In the case of the EcoBoost V6’s intake valves, this grinding burn would result in over-specification hardness in the third keeper groove location in the intake valve.
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The third keeper groove is part of a triple-groove valve designed to allow the valve to rotate 360 degrees, which is used to help prevent carbon buildup on the valve seat. The keeper groove is also used to secure the valve and valve spring. During operation, the keeper groove and valve locks hold the valve spring in the correct position. As the recall notice described, these faulty intake valves could cause catastrophic engine damage that would cause loss of motive power, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
This engine fault was why a class action lawsuit was filed against the Ford Motor Company by the plaintiffs, Matthew Barkus and Dan Silberman, who own a Ford F-150 and a Ford Bronco. Both vehicles are 2021 models, and Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine powers both. Barkus and Silberman are suing Ford because both plaintiffs have stated that they would never have purchased their vehicles had they known that there was a fault with the EcoBoost V6 engine.
Is There Any Merit To This Lawsuit?
A lawsuit has merit when it has a valid basis and enough facts to support a claim of legal rights violation. A court will determine if a lawsuit has merit based on facts and evidence. In the case of Barkus et al. v. Ford Motor Company, the plaintiffs stated that Ford did not warn them about the problems that the EcoBoost engine was prone to. Both plaintiffs may not have had any issues with their vehicles, which are a part of the affected models, but claimed they would have paid less for them.
The 2021 Ford Bronco with the 2.7-liter V6 had an MSRP of $46,980, while the 2021 Ford F-150 had an MSRP of roughly $46,000, depending on the trim level. The plaintiffs are seeking more than $5 million from Ford. One of the most significant reasons in the lawsuit is that Ford had not taken enough action to remedy the situation. The lawsuit specifically claims that “Ford has yet to provide an adequate remedy, such as a replacement of their defective valves, or compensate consumers for the amount they overpaid for these defective vehicles.”
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The first portion of that statement is incorrect. Ford has tried to remedy the situation. Ford issued a notice to its dealers stating that dealers would need to inspect each vehicle and determine the cumulative number of engine cycles. Those engines must be replaced if a vehicle does not meet the engine cycle threshold. The replacement engines were manufactured with intake valves that were within the specification for hardness to avoid the same fault. Owner notifications were scheduled to begin on the 7th of October 2024 and last till the 11th of October 2024. Additionally, Ford offered a reimbursement plan for the cost of remedies paid for by owners affected by the engine defect before the recall was issued in May 2023. Owners who paid for repairs at their own expense would be eligible for reimbursement.
The second portion of that statement might hold some water. The Car Lemon Law protects consumers who unknowingly purchase defective vehicles, which Barkus and Silberman are. This law allows consumers to demand a refund, a replacement vehicle, or another form of compensation. However, whether a judge approves Ford paying the plaintiffs over $5 million is unclear.
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The EcoBoost’s Problematic Past And Present
This is not the first time Ford has been taken to court because of an issue with one of its EcoBoost engines. Earlier, we mentioned that there was some legal trouble brought on because of the three-cylinder configuration of its EcoBoost V6 engine. The 1.0-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine was at the core of Ford’s beloved Ford Focus.
In 2014, Louise O’Riordan purchased an example of the hatchback. After 32,000 miles clocked on its odometer, the engine suddenly seized while O’Riordan was driving on a highway road, nearly resulting in a fatality. O’Riordan wasn’t alone; thousands of other Ford Focus owners had shared their horror stories, with some of these owners’ vehicles catching fire. As a result of this lawsuit, Ford might be liable to pay up to $1.3 billion to the affected owners.
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In August 2023, Ford issued a recall for its 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport models, specifically models equipped with Ford’s 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. According to the NHTSA recall notice, these models were susceptible to engine oil pump drive belt tensioner arm failures that could fracture and crack, possibly leading to significant engine damage and causing a loss of driving power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The EcoBoost engine has gone through its highs and lows. The current lawsuit that Ford is involved in regarding its 2.7-liter and 3.0-liter versions of the EcoBoost engine will mark another low point for the established engine series, but this time around, Ford seems to be ahead of the ball and the suit may not go against the Blue Oval brand.
Sources: Ford, NHTSA
