Ford Canada facing national class action over claims batteries are defective

Ford vehicle owners in Canada could potentially be compensated from a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging performance issues due to a defective battery.

On May 6, Charney Lawyers filed the class-action lawsuit against Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The lawsuit seeks damages for all eligible Canadian residents who owned or leased specific models of Ford PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or plug-in electric vehicles.

The lawsuit has yet to be certified and comes just over a month after Charney Lawyers commenced a national class action in B.C. against Ford, alleging that certain Ford vehicles equipped with a 10R80 10-speed Transmission have been "linked to significant operational issues."

The latest allegations

A Toronto-based plaintiff initiated the latest lawsuit after she and her husband purchased a used 2021 Ford Escape in April 2024 for $35,000 to save on gasoline and car repairs.

However, a nationwide recall due to battery issues meant the couple couldn't charge the vehicle or run the electric motor for their daily commutes. They also had to rely mainly on the internal combustion engine, incurring gasoline costs.

On Feb. 11, Transport Canada issued a recall warning vehicle owners that problems with the battery could cause it to short-circuit, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

"A battery that overheats can create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off," reads the recall.

The website claims that Ford could not repair or replace the batteries at the time of the notice, "leaving owners without the ability to recharge their vehicles by plugging them in."

Ford's recall website stated that it notified affected vehicle owners, who were offered free repairs and, in some cases, battery replacement. Microcracks in the lithium-ion batteries could cause the vehicle to catch fire.

The lawsuit accuses Ford of negligence and breaching warranties. It further alleges that Ford manufactured, distributed, advertised, and authorized its dealer network to sell the affected vehicles "despite being aware of the existence of the defects with batteries."

We have contacted Ford Canada for a comment and will update this story when it responds.

Are you eligible?

The lawsuit doesn't specify how many Canadians are likely affected by the recall. However, you could be part of the class action lawsuit if you meet several criteria:

• You owned or leased a Ford Escape PHEV or Lincoln Corsair PHEV from model years 2020 to the present, equipped with plug-in hybrid capabilities
• You're a Canadian resident who owned or leased the affected Ford vehicles

How can you join?

Charney Lawyers said it's currently collecting information about potential class members. Doing so "will assist counsel in prosecuting the class action and assessing what damages were suffered by the class as a whole."

You can fill out the registration form to receive notifications of any developments in the class-action lawsuit. To be a class member, you must provide information on the Ford PHEV model you purchased or leased. The form also asks eligible class members to include how much they bought their vehicle or the deposit they paid to lease it.

You'll also be asked to describe any performance issues you experienced with your vehicle's battery and if you've taken your vehicle for repairs to resolve the problem.