— Owners who have complained about power steering problems in their 2010-2014 Ford Fusion and 2012-2014 Ford Focus cars won't be getting any relief in court, at least not right now.
The June 2014 lawsuit alleges Ford knowingly sold Ford Fusion and Focus cars with power steering systems that can leave a driver powerless to steer.
Ford manufactured the power steering system as a way to allegedly place less burden on the engine and therefore save money on gas. The power steering system in the affected cars is made without a normal hydraulic component that would typically be used as a back-up.
The Ford lawsuit alleges defects exist in the gear assembly, sensors and in a ribbon cable that connects parts of the steering system. Further, the plaintiffs claim Ford advertised the cars as safe when in fact the power steering problems could cause all kinds of dangerous side effects.
Ford filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit and U.S. District Judge Lucy H. Koh agreed to do just that. Ruling the power steering lawsuit is "unwieldy in scope and unduly burdensome," Koh gave the plaintiffs a 30-day deadline to amend the complaint or face "dismissal with prejudice of Plaintiffs’ claims."
The Ford Fusion and Ford Focus power steering lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District for the Northern District of California - William Philips et al v. Ford Motor Company.
- Read what owners say about the Ford Fusion and Ford Focus.