Settlement FAQs

how to get a settlement for ford focus lawsuit settlement

by Dr. Delta Macejkovic DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If it does, Ford may be forced to repurchase the vehicle from you for anywhere from $15,000 to $22,000, and it may have to fork over the cash even if the faulty Fiesta or Focus is no longer in your possession. Again, in order to get any sort of money back from Ford, you'll need to submit arbitration notices by Oct. 6, 2020.

Full Answer

What do you need to know about the Ford lawsuit settlement?

A website has now turned up from Capstone Law that outlines everything owners need to know to get reimbursement from the Ford lawsuit. The class-action lawsuit settlement covers consumers nationwide who purchased or leased a 2011 through 2016 Ford Fiesta or the 2012 through 2016 Ford Focus.

What is the settlement amount for the Ford transmission hardware repair?

The settlement offers three types of cash payments. If you have had three or more Service Visits (to Ford dealers) and received a qualifying transmission hardware repair, you are eligible to receive $200 starting with the third visit, another $275 for your fourth visit ($475 in total cash received), up to a cumulative $2,325 for eight visits.

How many cars were affected by the Ford PowerShift settlement?

A federal appeals court in California has granted final approval of the settlement, which involved nearly 1.5 million cars sold with Ford’s PowerShift transmission, a dual-clutch automatic code-named DSP6.

How much did Ford pay to settle the dual-clutch lawsuit?

Last month, a federal judge ruled Ford was on the hook to pay at least $77.4 million to owners of vehicles equipped with faulty "Powershift" dual-clutch automatic transmissions as part of a class-action lawsuit.

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How do I claim my settlement from Ford Focus?

Click here or call 1-888-260-4563 to provide notice to Ford of your intent to pursue through arbitration a claim for a vehicle repurchase/replacement.

How do I get my Ford Focus to buyback?

To obtain a repurchase or replacement under the Arbitration Program, you must provide proof, in the form of receipts and/or repair orders, of the repairs performed on your Class Vehicle, along with proof that you were the owner or lessee of the Class Vehicle at the time of each repair.

Is there a class-action lawsuit against Ford Focus?

Four owners of the 2017-19 Ford Fiesta and 2017-18 Ford Focus are suing Ford Motor Co., alleging the vehicles have the same unfixable transmission defects as earlier models that led to hundreds of millions of dollars in class action settlement payments.

Is there a class-action lawsuit against Ford transmission?

A new class-action lawsuit has been brought against Ford for problems with the company's PowerShift transmissions, as covered by CarComplaints. The new lawsuit concerns US market models of the 2017-2019 Ford Fiesta, and 2017-2018 Ford Focus, equipped with the PowerShift transmission.

Does Ford buy back focus?

When the high-profile case was argued in court initially, Ford opened up a voluntary buyback program. The company disclosed in court documents in 2019 that Ford spent $47 million buying back 2,666 Ford Focus and Fiesta vehicles for an average of more than $17,000 each.

How does the Ford buyback program work?

Vehicles in this program are offered at prices substantially below their retail value. This is because Ford bought them back from the original owners, fully-inspected them, and made every necessary repair.

Will the 2012 Ford Focus fix the transmission for free?

Transmission problems. The transmission is the most common problem with used 2012 Ford Focus models, with owners reporting shuddering and jerking when changing gears. The good news? Ford will fix it for free.

Is my Ford Focus under recall?

Description of Recall: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 and 2017 Focus vehicles equipped with 2.0L GDI gasoline engines and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles equipped with 2.0L GTDI engines, previously recalled under 18V-735.

Did Ford ever fix the Focus transmission?

Stick to buying used Ford Focuses from 2017 or newer - Ford has fixed the transmission in more recent (2017 and later) models. Owners of these models report drastically fewer problems with their transmissions.

Which Ford Focus have transmission problems?

Now, nearly two million customers stand to get repayment for their trouble in a class-action lawsuit settlement currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals, and it could cost Ford in the billions. The Ford PowerShift transmission in question is found in 2011–2016 Fiesta and 2012–2016 Focus cars.

How long do Ford Focus transmissions last?

The overall lifespan of a Ford Focus transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we've seen the Ford Focus transmission last for between 80,000-180,000 miles.

Has Ford fixed its 10 speed transmission problems?

Ford has implemented other solutions for problems with the 10-speed transmission including updated clips for the shift cable, replacement of parts in certain models, and extended warranties. But despite these short-term fixes, Ford's transmission problems have not yet come to a halt.

What is a Ford manufacturer buyback vehicle?

Manufacturer buybacks are vehicles that have been repurchased by the manufacturer due to unresolved issues reported by the initial owner of the vehicle but has since been resolved.

What is buyback lemon?

What is a Lemon Law Buyback Vehicle? A Lemon Law buyback vehicle is a vehicle that has been reacquired by the manufacturer, on or after January 1, 1996, due to specified warranty defect(s). The vehicle must be registered in the manufacturer's name prior to resale to a member of the public.

Are there any recalls on a 2018 Ford Focus?

Recall no. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L Fox GTDI engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

What makes a car a lemon in California?

“In the state of California, a vehicle qualifies as a lemon when it has a defect or defects—covered by warranty—that substantially impair the use, value, or safety of a vehicle,” says Richard M. Wirtz, a consumer attorney at Wirtz Law APC in San Diego, quoting the California lemon law statute almost verbatim.

What If I Have a Separate Lawsuit Against Ford Over This Issue?

Members of the class action “who had a pending suit against Ford as of the Notice Date were given an opportunity to opt-in,” court filings said. But that ship sailed more than two years ago. Notices were mailed in mid-2017, and class members faced a deadline of Sept. 5, 2017, to opt in or out of the settlement, according to Capstone and KCC.

When will Ford settle powershift claims?

April 2, 2020. Starting Monday, owners of certain Ford Fiesta and Focus small cars equipped with the automaker’s PowerShift automatic transmission can begin filing settlement claims that could top $20,000 apiece, depending on the issues experienced. Despite standing firm on the Detroit automaker’s denial that the defect exists, ...

What If I Think the PowerShift Transmission in My Focus or Fiesta Caused an Accident?

The class action settlement “does not involve claims of personal injury or property damage to any property other than the Class Vehicles,” claims administrator KCC noted.

What If I Visited a Third-Party Mechanic?

That may not count toward your settlement payout. Court filings note that cash payments or discount certificates are based on the number of service visits to authorized Ford dealers.

How Much Will This Cost Ford?

Court filings on March 5 indicated Ford had already paid $47.4 million to repurchase some 2,700 vehicles by the end of 2019. Including that total, the automaker will pay an estimated $86.25 million in committed or previously paid settlements, including legal expenses. But vehicle buybacks could easily escalate that total. The Detroit Free Press quoted Ryan Wu, a lead class counsel at Capstone, as calling it “reasonable to assume that the settlement will deliver at least $100 million for the buyback benefit alone, with no upper (dollar) limit.”

Does This Mean Ford Has Admitted Fault?

Nope. The terms of the settlement do not require any admission of fault by Ford.

How many miles can you repurchase a car after a transmission repair?

Regardless of state lemon laws, court filings require a fallback provision that enables automatic eligibility for a repurchase if the car still malfunctions after four transmission repairs within the first five years or 60,000 miles from when it was sold brand-new.

What is the name of the lawsuit that Ford Motor Company filed against Ford Motor Company?

The lawsuit, entitled Vargas, et al . v. Ford Motor Company (Case No. CV12-08388 AB (FFMx)), has been resolved by a proposed settlement that was preliminarily approved by the United States District Court for the Central District of California, on April 25, 2017 ("the Settlement").

How long does Ford have to respond to an arbitration?

Ford will have ten days upon receiving your Notice of Intent to Arbitrate to respond. Ford may offer to provide a buyback directly. (Absent unusual circumstances, you should accept the buyback offer.) After ten days , if you do not receive a buyback offer (or reject the offer), you can proceed to the arbitration program, which is akin to a mini-trial. The program is administered by CAP-Motors, an independent entity vetted by us and Ford, and a neutral arbitrator will review your claims and make a determination as to whether you qualify for a buyback.

How long does it take to get a buyback from Ford?

The settlement has created a faster process for getting a buyback. It typically takes 2 to 3 months from the time you file your claim to get an arbitration award for a buyback. Your buyback claim will be decided by an independent arbitrator affiliated with CapMotors (a service unconnected with Ford or class counsel that the parties selected after careful evaluation). While Ford is obligated to pay for the arbitration services and the arbitrator's fees under the settlement, the arbitrator is independent and follows rules negotiated by class counsel. The plaintiffs seeking a repurchase in court has been waiting for over 2 years for relief.

How much does a lemon buyback cost?

Buybacks typically range from $15,000-$22,000.

What is a service visit for Ford?

A qualifying "Service Visit" means a single visit made by a Class Member to a Ford Dealer within 7 years/100,000 miles of original delivery, whichever occurs first, to inspect and/or repair a problem related to the Class Member’s PowerShift transmission.

When will Ford send notice of intent to arbitrate?

As a rule of thumb, we suggest that all current and former owner/lessees of a 2011-2014 Ford Focus or Fiesta who qualify for a buyback submit a notice of intent to arbitrate by November 4, 2020 (which requires sending a Notice of Intent to Arbitrate by October 25, 2020).

How many types of cash payments are there in settlement?

The settlement offers three types of cash payments.

Where to find class settlement information?

Basic information regarding the Class Settlement and a summary of the Class Member benefits can be found under the Class Member Benefits tab.

When did the 2020 settlement become effective?

The Settlement became effective on April 7, 2020. Current and former owners or lessees of Class Vehicles may submit claims for benefits under the Settlement. Please check this website frequently for updates.

Why did Ford refuse to make repairs?

Claims for a one-time $20 cash payment if you experienced Transmission problems and sought relief, but a Ford Dealer refused to make hardware or software repairs because the Dealer claimed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and did not subsequently make hardware or software repairs.

When was Vargas v Ford settled?

Cal. Case No. 2:12-cv-08388-AB-FFM, have reached a nationwide settlement which was granted preliminary approval by the Court on April 25, 2017. On March 5, 2020, the Court issued a Final Approval Order of the Settlement. The Effective Date of the Settlement was April 7, 2020. The " Case Documents " section of this website contains the Final Approval Order, and the renewed motion for Final Approval of the Settlement, which describes amendments to the Settlement.

Can you submit a claim for a class member's car insurance?

Class Members may submit claims for benefits under the Settlement, including cash payments, vehicle discount certificates, and vehicle repurchase arbitration or breach of warranty arbitration. Please see the "Submit a Claim" section of this website for more information about how to submit a claim for benefits under the settlement.

How to join a class action lawsuit?

Joining the class action lawsuit can be done by filing the relevant arbitration notice (s) via the links on FordTransmissionSettlement.com by Oct. 6, 2020. Once you have filed these forms, you should scrounge up your car's title or bill of sale as a proof of purchase, and then fill out the claim form available via Consumer Arbitration Program.

How much money will Ford pay back if Fiesta is faulty?

If it does, Ford may be forced to repurchase the vehicle from you for anywhere from $15,000 to $22,000, and it may have to fork over the cash even if the faulty Fiesta or Focus is no longer in your possession. Again, in order to get any sort of money back from Ford, you'll need to submit arbitration notices by Oct. 6, 2020.

How to contact Ford about a repurchase?

Other restrictions may apply (see FAQ 55 ). Click here or call 1-888-260-4563 to provide notice to Ford of your intent to pursue through arbitration a claim for a vehicle repurchase/replacement.

Who will resolve a claim for lemon law?

Claims for this benefit will be resolved by a third-party arbitrator who will apply your state’s lemon law or other rules created by the Settlement. Ford will cover the costs of the arbitration. Before you can submit a claim for arbitration, you must give Ford notice of your intent to pursue it through arbitration.

What information do you need to change your FVS?

Be sure to provide both the initial information submitted with your claim (the information you wish to change) as well as your updated information. You must also include your full name and Claim ID (which will start with the letters “FVS” and was either printed on your original notice postcard or provided when you filed your claim online).

Can you get reimbursement for multiple clutches?

5. Replacement Clutch for Certain Vehicles. You may be eligible for reimbursement of costs you paid related to multiple clutch replacements (see FAQs 57-58 ). Click here to download a claim form for reimbursement for clutch replacement. To submit a claim form online click here .

How Do I Make a Claim About the Ford Focus Transmission Recall?

Typically, Ford will notify you if your Ford Focus has any recalls. However, if you don't receive a notification, it's always crucial to ensure that your vehicle is included in the Ford Focus transmission recall making a claim.

What Happened With the Ford Focus Transmission Recall?

The Ford Focus is a compact vehicle manufactured and produced by Ford Motor Organization from the model years 1999 up to 2018 in North America and 1998 up to the present in other areas of the world.

Who Is Eligible for the Ford Focus Transmission Recall?

The Ford vehicles eligible for the Ford Focus transmission recall dealt with the 2012-2016 Ford Focus and 2011-2016 Ford Fiesta vehicles model years. The PowerShift transmission used in these vehicles created numerous concerns such as hesitations, stumbling, premature wear, and rough shifting that led to performance issues.

How to Check for Safety Recalls on Your Vehicle Using DoNotPay Car Recall Monitor?

Whether you own a used or a new Ford Focus vehicle, it's important, like we earlier said, to check for recalls. This is because driving a recalled vehicle can result in accidents and fatalities. And this is where DoNotPay comes in. We'll help you to successfully check if there are any calls on your Ford Focus. Here is how the recall monitor works:

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