The drama focusing on the DPS6 transmission that is used in some Ford Focus and Fiesta cars, that went to court for one case in early October, has now escalated. Now the U.S. Department of Justice has had documents from Ford subpoenaed in an attempt to determine if there was fraud in Ford’s dealings with owners of cars with the DPS6 transmission. The subpoena was issued in Case No. 126 before a District of Columbia grand jury and demanded “all documents, communications and electronically stored information.”
The transmission in question was used in about two million Ford Fiesta and Focus vehicles sold. Owners and their attorneys are pursuing legal action against Ford, alleging in part that the automaker knew the DPS6 transmission was defective and continued to sell it. The DoJ is specifically looking for information that might show if Ford knew the transmission was defective and couldn’t be fixed or that it had lied to federal safety regulators.
Ford has stated that it has been complying fully with all federal, state and local regulatory and other authorities. Ford says that it has taken several actions to enhance the function of the transmission. Part of what Ford has done is to extend the warranties for customers to seven years and 100,000 miles. Investigations by the Detroit Free Press have claimed that Ford knew the transmission was defective and continued to sell it.
The investigation also claimed that Ford had decided to abandon the DPS6 transmission in 2011, but opted against it due to cost. Ford isn’t sure that it won’t lose in courts and has warned federal securities regulators that it faces substantial risk from a class action suit as the court reviews a proposed $35-million settlement. An additional 13,000 cases are pending from owners who opted out of class action.
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Source: Detroit Free Press
Comments
I had an early Focus company car. The shift points were, ah, interesting. The most interesting experience was making a sharp, right turn uphill from a stop. The car would go a few feet and go into ” neutral “. I coasted back and tried a wide turn, solving the problem. It was reprogrammed but still shifted poorly. The company lost the contract and gave up the cars so I was able to go back to my Nissan with no problems.
When will Ford make good on the transmission failures in the Taurus? Ours failed at 60k with no warning, leaving my partner stranded at a corner in Philly. My Dad’s Taurus had its first replacement before 12k and again at 62k. His warranty was up at 60k so Ford left Dad with the bill. He fixed it and traded it in for a Toyota.
I don’t know what idiots are running Ford, they don’t want to make regular Cars anymore. Just pick up trucks, SUVs and sports cars. No police cars, sedans or low end transport. Fine, we don’t need Does either. They want to compete with Tesla and Tesla is going to eat their lunch, because Ford is clue less about customer service and loyalty just like Nissan. Bye bye
I just want money back for my defective unsafe 2013 Ford Focus which cost me 26,000 and only owed 10,000 when had to get rid of it , no means to end with transmission issues and clutches, told by ford owner dealership can’t fix it, not even an new transmission would resolve issues because of issues. Car was definitely unrealizable and unsafe, had to purchase another vehicle at Ford cause nobody would except was in mint condition 54,000 miles, so went in debt again shame on Ford!! I have to work so hard to keep afford payments again when I should’ve had my previous car paid year and half ago. I want what is fair and honesty , should have gone to attorney general still could, now everybody is starting to tell the trough about all the defects with focus.ive been waiting 2 years for the moment of truth.