EcoBoost engine defective?

[Code54]

Just seen this on Yahoo. Thought others maybe interested.....


Ford owners sue, saying EcoBoost engine defective
3 Ford owners sue in federal court, saying EcoBoost engine is defective

By Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | Associated Press 2 hrs 21 mins ago

DETROIT (AP) -- Three Ohio drivers are suing Ford Motor Co., claiming the company's six-cylinder EcoBoost engine is defective.
The lawsuit says the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine can shudder, shake and then rapidly lose power while drivers are accelerating. Two of the plaintiffs, a married couple, say their 2010 Ford Taurus SHO has lost power and stalled on multiple occasions. The third says he has lost power when he was accelerating in his F-150 pickup.
The lawsuit says more than 100 drivers have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the V6 EcoBoost rattling or losing power. Ford hasn't recalled any vehicles for the alleged defect, and NHTSA hasn't opened an investigation, which is often the first step in the recall process.
The lawsuit claims Ford has acknowledged the problem in messages to dealers, but hasn't informed owners.
Ford declined to comment Tuesday, saying it hasn't seen the lawsuit. The company wouldn't say how many vehicles it has sold with the V6 EcoBoost engine.
Ford has been selling vehicles equipped with the V6 EcoBoost since late 2009. It's an option on the Ford Flex, Taurus SHO, Lincoln MKT and Lincoln MKS sedans from the 2010-2013 model years; the F-150 pickup from the 2011-2013 model years; and the Ford Explorer Sport from the 2013 model year.
Ford also makes four-cylinder and three-cylinder EcoBoost engines, but those aren't cited in the lawsuit. All three engines use turbocharging and direct injection to give them the power of a larger engine with the fuel economy of a smaller one.
The lawsuit was filed late last week in U.S. District Court in Columbus. A similar lawsuit involving different drivers was filed last month in U.S. District Court in Louisiana.

 

[MrChris]

Interesting read. http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&title=Fords-EcoBoost-Twin-Turbo-V6&A=111422

 

[Diamondpilot]

The Eco Boost has been around for more than 4 years now and is available in both trucks and cars. So 100 complaints for all the vehicles being sold is not bad. Last year alone Ford sold over 300,000 F150's and over 60% had the Eco Boost. That's just one year.

I really don't see a issue. We have two in our family and both have been perfect.

There are always going to be a few here and there that are lemons.

Chris

 

[Red Horse]

My 2010 SHO is pushing 50,000 miles. Hasn't been back to dealer since new.

 

[fordmantpw]

The Eco Boost has been around for more than 4 years now and is available in both trucks and cars. So 100 complaints for all the vehicles being sold is not bad. Last year alone Ford sold over 300,000 F150's and over 60% had the Eco Boost. That's just one year.

I really don't see a issue. We have two in our family and both have been perfect.

There are always going to be a few here and there that are lemons.

Chris

^^^^ What Chris said.

The EcoBoost is something "new" even though it has been out for 4 years, so lawyers will jump on anything to make a quick buck touting something "new" as defective.

 

[two_bit_score]

Big lawsuit over the Ecoboost Engine.

Ford owners sue, saying EcoBoost engine defective - Houston Chronicle

Sounds bad for Ford.

 

[fordmantpw]

Big lawsuit over the Ecoboost Engine.

Ford owners sue, saying EcoBoost engine defective - Houston Chronicle

Sounds bad for Ford.

3 parties in a lawsuit with no injuries is not a "big lawsuit". Also, see below:

The Eco Boost has been around for more than 4 years now and is available in both trucks and cars. So 100 complaints for all the vehicles being sold is not bad. Last year alone Ford sold over 300,000 F150's and over 60% had the Eco Boost. That's just one year.

I really don't see a issue. We have two in our family and both have been perfect.

There are always going to be a few here and there that are lemons.

Chris

 

[CHDinCT]

3 parties in a lawsuit with no injuries is not a "big lawsuit". Also, see below:

And two of the three are a married couple, so that's really two separate complaints.

 

[two_bit_score]

3 parties in a lawsuit with no injuries is not a "big lawsuit". Also, see below:

Well, the article actually mentions two lawsuits. One in La. Federal Court and the one in Ohio. Also this:
"The lawsuit says more than 100 drivers have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the V6 EcoBoost rattling or losing power. Ford hasn't recalled any vehicles for the alleged defect, and NHTSA hasn't opened an investigation, which is often the first step in the recall process."

I'm sure it will be bigger than Ford would like before it goes away.

 

[aczlan]

Well, the article actually mentions two lawsuits. One in La. Federal Court and the one in Ohio. Also this:
"The lawsuit says more than 100 drivers have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the V6 EcoBoost rattling or losing power. Ford hasn't recalled any vehicles for the alleged defect, and NHTSA hasn't opened an investigation, which is often the first step in the recall process."
I'm sure it will be bigger than Ford would like before it goes away.

Have you ever looked at the NHTSA "Complaints" section for any car? I would not put ANY faith in 75% of the complaints as they are mostly hearsay at best...

Aaron Z

 

[two_bit_score]

Have you ever looked at the NHTSA "Complaints" section for any car? I would not put ANY faith in 75% of the complaints as they are mostly hearsay at best...

Aaron Z

Have it your way. I've been on both sides of large claims/lawsuits like the Explorer rollovers with Firestone tires, f150 fire problems, etc, etc. I understand it much better than you probably think.

Toyota could have done themselves a big wad of good if they had acknowledged their unintentional acc problems early and Ford could too, now. But they probably won't. And that keeps a lot of people like me off food stamps.

Thank goodness for corporate types who think like you.

.

 

[fordmantpw]

Ford has already fixed the issue (it has to do with the CAC for the intercooler), and there is a TSB out there for it. Anyone with the problem can take it to their dealer and have it fixed, free of charge. Now, tell me again why we need to sue Ford over the issue? I absolutely cannot stand greedy, sue-happy people and their lawyers! Nobody has been hurt, so just get the problem fixed and move on with your life already!

Again, 100 complaints out of 100s of thousands of vehicles sold is not a big problem. Is it an issue that needed fixed? Sure! Does it justify a "BIG" lawsuit? Hardly!

Oh, and this isn't corporate thinking, this is common freaking sense!

 

[aczlan]

Have it your way. I've been on both sides of large claims/lawsuits like the Explorer rollovers with Firestone tires, f150 fire problems, etc, etc. I understand it much better than you probably think.
Toyota could have done themselves a big wad of good if they had acknowledged their unintentional acc problems early and Ford could too, now. But they probably won't. And that keeps a lot of people like me off food stamps.
Thank goodness for corporate types who think like you.

So, when someone reports to the following to the NHTSA should the MFG need to issue a recall right away when the "reporting owner" has no real info (No VIN, no real info to work off of), several TSBs have been issued for the problem (TSB 13-3-3) and they have been working on the problem since at least Dec of last year (per New TSB for the CAC on the Ecoboost confirmed!!! - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums):

Date Complaint Filed: 05/15/2013
Component(s): ENGINE
Date of Incident: 05/08/2013
NHTSA ID Number: 10512225
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Identification No. (VIN): Not Available
SUMMARY:
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO GET UP ENOUGH SPEED. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AND LOST ALL POWER, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A FEW MINUTES. FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES ANY ATTEMPT AT ACCELERATION RESULTED IN MORE SHUDDERING FROM THE ENGINE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE AT THE EXACT SAME POINT ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE THE ECOBOOST ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE.

Or

Date Complaint Filed: 05/15/2013
Component(s): ENGINE
Date of Incident: 02/01/2013
NHTSA ID Number: 10512178
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Vehicle Identification No. (VIN): Not Available
SUMMARY:
FORD'S ECOBOOST ENGINE V6 3.5L CUT POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ON TO HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATIONS ENSUED. VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE IF THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC BEHIND PERSON DRIVING. TRUCK STILL HAS LESS THAN 15K MILES, HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 2X ALREADY IN ATTEMPTS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE, AND STILL HAS PROBLEM.

Aaron Z

 

[two_bit_score]

Like I saiid, Aaron. Have it your way. You and I are not parties to the lawsuit and really have no dog in the fight, at least as far as I know. It's informational as far as I am concerned. It's a story that's out there and is potentially interesting to others who may own those type vehicles and may have experienced problems with them. If people can't get what they consider a fair resolution to their complaint they should be able to resolve it in court if necessary. People should not just suffer with bad products and services they have paid hard earned money for just because you may be willing to accept them.

 

[two_bit_score]

Ford has already fixed the issue (it has to do with the CAC for the intercooler), and there is a TSB out there for it. Anyone with the problem can take it to their dealer and have it fixed, free of charge. Now, tell me again why we need to sue Ford over the issue? I absolutely cannot stand greedy, sue-happy people and their lawyers! Nobody has been hurt, so just get the problem fixed and move on with your life already!

Again, 100 complaints out of 100s of thousands of vehicles sold is not a big problem. Is it an issue that needed fixed? Sure! Does it justify a "BIG" lawsuit? Hardly!

Oh, and this isn't corporate thinking, this is common freaking sense!

If Ford has truly fixed the issue that's great. If you don't have an issue you don't need to sue Ford.

The people in the lawsuit evidently were not able to reach an amicable resolution so they had to resort to litigation.

You sure seem to think everyone who is forced to litigate their dispute is "greedy and sue-happy". Where does all that displaced anger come from with you? If you don't have a problem with your truck then dismiss it as something that doesnt apply to you and move on. Are you bitter?

 

[fordmantpw]

If Ford has truly fixed the issue that's great. If you don't have an issue you don't need to sue Ford.

The people in the lawsuit evidently were not able to reach an amicable resolution so they had to resort to litigation.

You sure seem to think everyone who is forced to litigate their dispute is "greedy and sue-happy". Where does all that displaced anger come from with you? If you don't have a problem with your truck then dismiss it as something that doesnt apply to you and move on. Are you bitter?

Not everyone that needs to sue is sue-happy, I get that. But in today's world, it's extremely tough to tell the difference. Folks sue at the drop of the hat, and it's getting ridiculous! Millions for spilling a cup of hot coffee? I broke into your house and you hit me with a baseball bat, now pay my medical bills?

Yes, I understand some folks have issue with their vehicles, and yes, it sucks when you do. That's what the lemon law is for. Neither of us knows the circumstances of any of these cases. I tend to be a bit more skeptical and guess they haven't gone through the proper channels to get things resolved. Some of that is my past experience with Ford products. When I've had issues, they have stood behind it and made sure it was fixed. Case in point, my '99 F150 had a warped head from the factory. The head gasket was replaced twice, then the third time the problem was found to be a warped head. It was out of the warranty period, but Ford fixed it anyway. Another part of that is that there are too many people that feel if something isn't 100% perfect, then whomever sold it to me should pay! Well, anything made by man will NOT be perfect. Sometimes life throws you lemons, make lemonade.

Am I bitter? No, I'm just tired of the sue-happy world we live in. Displaced anger? I've got none, I'm a happy person, but when someone points out a small lawsuit and states "big lawsuit" and "bad news for Ford", it's a bit ridiculous, and I feel I should call it out when I see it. I'm not sure where you sense I have anger...maybe the exclamation marks I used to try to get my point across? I'm sure Ford, GM, Chrysler, Pepsi, Coke, etc. get sued many more times than we could ever imagine. I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.

If I am completely wrong about these suits, and the plaintiffs have gone through the proper channels and exhausted all means to get the problem rectified through Ford and the lawsuit is truly a last resort, I would be more than happy to apologize to them in person.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I'm going to sue Coors Light for allowing me and my misses getting pregnant. It has to be their fault on that long Columbus Day weekend. Guess I should also include both our employer's since they gave us the day off.

Chris

 

[fordmantpw]

I'm going to sue Coors Light for allowing me and my misses getting pregnant. It has to be their fault on that long Columbus Day weekend. Guess I should also include both our employer's since they gave us the day off.

Chris

:laughing: :drink:

 

[two_bit_score]

Not everyone that needs to sue is sue-happy, I get that. But in today's world, it's extremely tough to tell the difference. Folks sue at the drop of the hat, and it's getting ridiculous! Millions for spilling a cup of hot coffee? I broke into your house and you hit me with a baseball bat, now pay my medical bills?

Yes, I understand some folks have issue with their vehicles, and yes, it sucks when you do. That's what the lemon law is for. Neither of us knows the circumstances of any of these cases. I tend to be a bit more skeptical and guess they haven't gone through the proper channels to get things resolved. Some of that is my past experience with Ford products. When I've had issues, they have stood behind it and made sure it was fixed. Case in point, my '99 F150 had a warped head from the factory. The head gasket was replaced twice, then the third time the problem was found to be a warped head. It was out of the warranty period, but Ford fixed it anyway. Another part of that is that there are too many people that feel if something isn't 100% perfect, then whomever sold it to me should pay! Well, anything made by man will NOT be perfect. Sometimes life throws you lemons, make lemonade.

Am I bitter? No, I'm just tired of the sue-happy world we live in. Displaced anger? I've got none, I'm a happy person, but when someone points out a small lawsuit and states "big lawsuit" and "bad news for Ford", it's a bit ridiculous, and I feel I should call it out when I see it. I'm not sure where you sense I have anger...maybe the exclamation marks I used to try to get my point across? I'm sure Ford, GM, Chrysler, Pepsi, Coke, etc. get sued many more times than we could ever imagine. I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.

If I am completely wrong about these suits, and the plaintiffs have gone through the proper channels and exhausted all means to get the problem rectified through Ford and the lawsuit is truly a last resort, I would be more than happy to apologize to them in person.

There is a delicate balance, believe it or not, regarding litigation. I've been in it and around it on both sides for a very, very long time. Long enough to see the pendulum swing from one extreme to the other. While you may be partially right about the coffee incident it's too often overlooked that a jury awarded those damages and both sides in the case were represented by very competent lawyers. Tort laws have changed significantly and in some cases for the better since then. However, everyone should be cautious about giving up rights to litigate disputes too quickly because sometime in the future you may need to exercise those rights.

 

[fordmantpw]

There is a delicate balance, believe it or not, regarding litigation. I've been in it and around it on both sides for a very, very long time. Long enough to see the pendulum swing from one extreme to the other. While you may be partially right about the coffee incident it's too often overlooked that a jury awarded those damages and both sides in the case were represented by very competent lawyers. Tort laws have changed significantly and in some cases for the better since then. However, everyone should be cautious about giving up rights to litigate disputes too quickly because sometime in the future you may need to exercise those rights.

I hear ya. And those of us that aren't around it day in and day out only hear what the media wants to sensationalize.