Ford Ordered to Pay Thousands Over Faulty Focus Transmission

Ford’s legal troubles stemming from Focus and Fiesta transmission issues do not appear to be going away anytime soon.

A federal judge in California recently ordered the company to pay $23,000 to the owners of a 2014 Focus for violating the state’s lemon law. The couple said they stopped driving the car – although they continued to make lease payments – because of safety concerns related to the car’s transmission.

More than one million Ford Focus and fiesta vehicles are on the road today, equipped with DPS6 transmissions that have been the subject of a number of complaints. Those defects can cause the cars to stall, lose speed or suddenly drift without warning.

A July Detroit Free Press investigation revealed that Ford knew that the transmission were defective before sending those vehicles to dealerships for sale. The company also continued to use the transmissions, despite driver complaints, the paper reports.

Federal investigators also have some questions for Ford. The Justice Department recently demanded documents that may show whether company officials were aware of the defects and lied to investigators.

Legal Protections for California Car Owners

The Ford transmission saga is just the latest example of the serious defects with which carmakers often allow vehicles to leave the factory for sale. These defects pose significant safety threats, both for owners of those cars and anyone else on the road.

That is where the California lemon law comes in. The law requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. If the manufacturer cannot or is unwilling to make those repairs, it must buy back the car. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, as well as related expenses like financing and rental car costs.

In some cases, a manufacturer may instead offer to replace the defective vehicle. It is ultimately the owner’s decision whether to accept or reject this alternative arrangement. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you weigh your rights and options. The law requires the manufacturer to pick up the tab for any legal fees that you incur while enforcing your rights.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you are a car owner who is grappling with your car’s manufacturer over transmission or other repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.

At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.