It all started when a frustrated customer in the UK created a Facebook page called ‘Ford EcoBoost Nightmare’ after her own 2014-model Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.0’s engine seized mid-way on a busy highway. The owner said she narrowly escaped in what could otherwise have been a huge mishap. Quite unexpectedly, the page started witnessing high user engagement, with over 1,500 other customers posting their complaints on the vehicle’s lack of reliability.
UK-based law firm Roscoe Reid is currently investigating the incidents and is planning to file a massive $1.3 billion (approx.) lawsuit against Ford (F), according to reports published by British media. The models embroiled in the case include Kuga, C-Max, Fiesta, S-Max and Focus, whose petrol engines have reportedly seized mid-travel.
There have also been instances of the engine catching fire, caused by loss of coolant. The law firm claims the Ecoboost engines manufactured between 2011 and 2017 pose serious threat to passengers’ lives.
Roscoe Reid stated that certain owners had to pay as much as $10,000 to replace the engine. It also accused the carmaker of constantly minimizing its contribution to the repair expenses, despite the frequent complaints. It may be noted that Focus and Fiesta are two of the most popular car variants in Britain.
Meanwhile, a Ford official told MailOnline that owners of Ford Focus 1.0-litre petrol were notified in March 2015 of a service action due to coolant failure on cars built between October 2011 and October 2013. He added that over 86% of the affected vehicles were repaired.
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AlphaStreet is awaiting response from Roscoe Reid on their future course of action.