DiCello Levitt Sues Ford for Misrepresenting Fuel Economy Ratings in 2019 Ford Rangers and 2018 Ford F-150s

Hubert Complaint DiCello Levitt Sues Ford for Misrepresenting Fuel Economy Ratings in 2019 Ford Rangers and 2018 Ford F-150s Chicago, Illinois – On Thursday, May 9, 2019, DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC, The Miller Law Firm, P.C., and Sauder Schelkopf LLC, filed a class action lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company alleging that Ford markets and sells certain of its 2017-2019 vehicles—including its 2019 Ford Rangers and its top-selling 2018 Ford F-150s— with false fuel-economy ratings. The complaint alleges that Ford conducted inadequate and inaccurate Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) fuel economy testing, resulting in vehicles with overstated miles-per gallon EPA fuel economy ratings. Instead of stating the true fuel economy for its vehicles, Ford misrepresented to customers and to the general public that its vehicles had achieved specific MPG estimates. “Ford knows that fuel economy is a primary factor in consumers’ vehicle purchases,” said Adam Levitt, of DiCello Levitt. “By overstating those vehicles’ MPG estimates, Ford has misled customers into overpaying for their Ford vehicles, both at the point of sale, as well as by saddling those customers with higher fuel costs for the life of their vehicles.” Ford recently disclosed that it is currently under criminal investigation by the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) concerning its emissions certification practices. In its public securities filings, Ford further disclosed that the DOJ’s inquiry is focused on Ford’s analytical modeling and resistance testing practices. After Ford employees raised concerns about the accuracy of emissions and gas mileage modeling methods in September, the company brought in an outside firm to review its emissions practices and hired an independent lab to conduct tests, the company announced in February. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, is Hubert v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. 2-19-cv-2125-CSB-EIL, and can be accessed above. The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of all purchasers or lessees who purchased vehicles with the misrepresented MPG estimates, and alleges that by its conduct, Ford engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices, committed fraud, breached its warranties, and unjustly enriched itself at the expense of its own customers. The lawsuit seeks financial and equitable relief for the class, as well as a jury trial. Our investigation into Ford’s fuel economy practices remains ongoing and may result in additional vehicles being added to this litigation. DiCello Levitt attorneys Adam Levitt, John Tangren, and Adam Prom filed the lawsuit, along with E. Powell Miller, Sharon Almonrode, and William Kalas, of the Miller Law Firm, and Joseph Sauder, Matthew Schelkopf, and Joseph Kenney, of Sauder Schelkopf. If you believe you have a claim, we are eager to speak with you about the ongoing litigation and how to protect your rights. Please call 312-214-0000 or email us at fordmpgfraud@dicellolevitt.com, to speak with one of our attorneys.