Own a Ford vehicle with a Bosch CP4 fuel pump? Have you replaced your vehicle's fuel pump or engine? A defect may cause metal shavings to leak into your vehicle, leading to catastrophic failure and costly repair bills. 

Case Status
Active
Case Caption
Droesser et al v. Ford Motor Company
Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Judge Assigned
Hon. James Donato
Case Number
18-cv-06967
Defendant(S)
Ford Motor Company
File Date

AFFECTED VEHICLES

  • Models with 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel Engines, 2011-Present 

According to the class-action lawsuit, a defect in Ford diesel CP4 fuel pumps essentially leaves vehicle owners driving “ticking time bombs,” with the potential for owners to suffer sudden and unexpected shutoff of the vehicle’s engine while it is in motion.

Millions of Ford trucks are allegedly installed with the defective fuel pump that can suddenly fail without warning, causing a total fuel system failure and consequential engine failure resulting in an expensive repair bill. Plaintiffs say the defendants are also refusing to fix the trucks under warranty. Additionally, the lawsuit claims, repairs are fruitless, as no repair will fix the issue as long as the vehicle with the CP4 is being filled with U.S. diesel.

FUEL PUMP DEFECT EXPLAINED

The basis of this defect is the Bosch-supplied CP4 high pressure fuel pump.

Unbeknownst to truck owners, Bosch’s CP4 pump was never compatible with American fuel standards and not built to withstand the specifications for U.S. diesel fuel in terms of lubrication or water content.

As a result, the pump is forced to run dry and destroy itself as air bubbles allow metal to rub against metal. The pump secretly deposits metal shavings and debris throughout the fuel system and the engine.

YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS

Hagens Berman believes that consumers have the right to replacement costs of vehicle parts and deserve answers. We think that consumers shouldn't have to suffer from undue wear and tear to the engine and fuel pump, at worst leading vehicle owners into a dangerous emergency situation.

TOP AUTO LITIGATION FIRM

Hagens Berman is one of the most successful auto litigation law firms in the U.S. and has secured more than $21 billion in settlement benefits for vehicle owners impacted by defects and other automotive issues. Your claim will be handled by attorneys experienced in automotive consumer law.

NO COST TO YOU

In no case will any class member be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class's legal team.

CASE TIMELINE

Court Denies Ford’s Motion to Dismiss CP4 Defect Lawsuit

In a 65-page order, Hon. Bernard A. Friedman allowed the majority of claims against Ford to continue, commenting that in light of Ford’s pushback regarding the CP4 defect, “…the Court agrees with Plaintiffs that Ford does not address all the relevant allegations. …As Plaintiffs point out, Ford does not address a section of the SAC on fuel pump design... Accepting Plaintiffs’ allegations as true, the SAC plausibly alleges a defect. The documents appended to Ford’s response do not alter this conclusion.” The court upheld all claims against Ford related to economic loss, unjust enrichment and key state consumer protection laws.

Judge Friedman also denied Ford’s motion to dismiss the case regarding merchantability. “Plaintiffs respond that dismissal is not appropriate because they plausibly allege that their class vehicles are unfit for providing safe and reliable transportation. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs,” the order reads, adding “...a standard road vehicle must be able to provide safe and reliable transportation and be substantially free of defects.”

Judge’s Order Upholds Claims vs. Ford

In an order issued Nov. 2, 2020, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos upheld claims of fraudulent concealment, violations of the Texas Deceptive Practices Act, implied warranty breach and a portion of unjust enrichment claims against Ford in a victory for truck owners bringing the lawsuit.

The opinion details the court’s findings and reasoning: “…Plaintiffs reference multiple instances of Ford personnel knowingly testing the CP4 pump with only specification-compliant fuel and acknowledging the lubricity scar/CP4 pump problem, along with the reality of prevalent non-compliant fuel in the market.” Judge Ramos also stated, “Ford’s failure to disclose the functional problems associated with the CP4 pump and the high price for repair caused them to overpay for their vehicles.”

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