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Ford Duratec Water Pump Lawsuit Dismissed By Judge

A judge has dismissed the Ford Duratec water pump lawsuit that was brought against Ford by owners of vehicles that are fitted with Ford Duratec engines that have a strange water pump design. The water pump in these vehicles is inside the engine, behind multiple components that are required to be removed to get to the pump. The biggest issue that the lawsuit takes with the water pump design is that when the pump fails, the coolant is leaked and mixes with the oil leading to a ruined engine that must be replaced.

The Ford Duratec water pump lawsuit alleged that millions of 2007 to present Ford vehicles are equipped with the allegedly defective water pumps that can cause engine damage. The plaintiffs in the case allege the water pumps can fail without any warning since the coolant leaks into the oil. One Ford Edge owner said the engine in their vehicle failed, and it cost $7,600 to replace the engine.

Another Ford Edge owner says that the engine failed on the highway, and it cost $1,200 to replace it with a used one. The owners claimed that the water pump replacement was expensive as well because of the location inside the engine leading to repair bills as high as $1,500. In the Ford Duratec water pump lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that Ford deceived customers into believing the water pumps will last about 150,000 miles without the need for maintenance.

The suit filed 55 claims under 11 states’ laws, but all 55 were dismissed save two claims from one plaintiff. Those two claims were settled out of court with Ford leaving the entire case dismissed. The judge dismissed the suit because the plaintiffs’ amended lawsuit didn’t plead facts that allowed it to be inferred that “Ford knew or should have known the water pumps in the Cyclone (Duratec) engines were defective.”

The judge also stated that since the plaintiffs didn’t include those allegations in the suit, they didn’t have those allegations and dismissed the suit with prejudice barring the plaintiffs from filing the suit again. The judge has agreed to reconsider her decision to dismiss with prejudice once all parties have presented their arguments and will decide if plaintiffs can file a second amended lawsuit.

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Source: Car Complaints

Shane is a car guy with a fondness for Mustangs and off-roading.

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Comments

  1. I always change a water pump before the manufacures recommend change just to be on the safe side.I always do it when doing a cambelt change or timeing chain.Millions have been produced and lasted.

    Reply
    1. How would you KNOW when to change the water pump on THIS 3.5L engine? The manufacturer has NO specific recommended replacement interval for TIMING CHAIN or WATER PUMP! And honestly, are you going to tear apart the engine to replace these components on a REGULAR basis?

      Reply
  2. I am pretty sure that all munfactures have designs where to replace one thing other thing have to be removed or the engine has to be removed to replace something so I don’t see how this cost used as a sue claim

    Reply
    1. You’re right! Ford didn’t intentionally design these engines to break. It’s just the nature of the beast, trying to make that V6 as compact as possible to fit in a transverse layout meant getting rid of an “outboard” pump! In my case, although I did not suffer any engine damage, I really became disheartened to learn that my 2012 Lincoln MKZ (a car I TRULY LOVED) could possibly become a “time bomb”! Reluctantly, I sold it before any sign of trouble showed. I have been a Ford “fan” for over 60years, and WILL CONTINUE to buy Fords. It’s just that the NEXT time, I will do more research about their products BEFORE I sign on the dotted line!

      Reply
  3. Wonderful site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to
    some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your sweat!

    Reply
    1. Regardless of cord built them knowing they would fail or not, they knew at any given time, it WOULD in fact fail. The timing chain is a LIFETIME part of the engine. The water pump is not supposed to last the lifetime of the engine. Therefore by them putting them inside the engine and driven by the timing chain, should have been enough proof that Ford knew WHEN they failed, NOT IF they did that it would labor intensive and very costly! I wanna know this, how much would it have cost Ford to put the waterpump on the outside of the engine? I guarantee it would’ve cost them alot less than us having to shell out thousands on repair costs! I mean seriously we aren’t talking an entry level vehicles here, we are talking $30,000-$43,000+!!!!
      So what about us that are still paying on our vehicles that now need thousands of dollars in repairs or new engine, and still have 4-5 years left to pay on our vehicles and can’t afford to get another one, and no dealership will touch it. That’s what I wanna know. I love my Ford taurus, I really do, but this water pump issue and needing thousands in work has caused me to lose my job over not having a way to get to work and my vehicle is now up for repo, which I’ll wind up getting sued and having to pay 90-95% of what I owe on it now anyways for what it’ll bring at auction only I won’t have a car, and all for what? A flawed waterpump design that apparently Ford hasn’t and isn’t gonna do anything for us little people. Sad thing is I bought my mom a 2015 taurus and never was a Ford fan, until I seen hers and driven it and seen just how advanced and how far does gas come, (except the water pump) and liked hers so well, I traded in a Toyota I just bought 6 months prior for a 2 taurus 1 year older, and have loved the car up until the waterpumo failure. It breaks my heart to see it sitting there not running.

      Reply
  4. My Explorer 2015 got water pump defective last year before reach 70k miles

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  5. I have a 2013 Ford Flex with 75,000 miles, wonderful car until this weekend. Overheated, did drive it any longer had it towed to Ford. Needed a new water pump and radiator…cost over $3,500 and I have never missed an oil change. I think it is an issue. It wasn’t the parts that cost me so much, it is the labor because of where the water pump is located. I think Ford is somewhat responsible because of placement.

    Reply
    1. I agree and have a 2013 Ford Flex have never missed an oil change always performed at the dealer. I just received an estimate of $2700.00 to repair due to where the water pump is located. It is very unfortunate that Ford has not done a recall on this issue.

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  6. I just got the new my 2015 Ford Explorer needs a new water pump, and the saddest part is they recommend a coolant flush and now this. My car never had any issues at all. Now I have to pay 3100. This is total bs and im at a loss for words SMH.

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  7. Yep, 2010 Ford Edge SEL with no more than 65K miles. Always well maintained, tires, oil changes, etc. drove to work yesterday (5-10 minute drive) then BAM! Slapped in the face with a $3,000 estimate to replace water pump, timing belt, engine flush because there’s coolant in the oil!! Are you kidding me? Clearly I’m not the only one here. This needs to be recalled. I love this car! What am I going to do?

    Reply
  8. yes delightful it is,I bought the 2012 MKT Lincoln in December 2012 and paid only $42,000 CASH for a beautiful retirement car. Fast forward october 2020 . MKT water pump failed,water mixed with oil and blew my well maintained ‘retirement” luxury cruiser. We had a 2000 Caddy Deville that did the same trick,it lasted to 2011 and that great Northstar V8 took a seizure after overheATing THAT blew the head gasket(s), I got this one home and parked it. eHad to have teh Lincoln towed,. .. / Whats in my future? IREFUSE to buy any car not made in USA and that includes cars that Ford,GM, Buick and other Amurrican carmaked produse in China, South Korea, Mexico etc…. I did find one made here in michiigan, a Buick Enclave and look to buy a Used one with the reliable V6.

    Reply
    1. Mkt was built in canada…

      Reply
    2. Check out the timing chain issues (and results of a failure) on the Enclave. You’ll be doing yourself a favour.

      Reply
  9. We bought our 2008 Ford Edge off of the the show room floor. Over the years I became used to routine brake job replacements (Chicago metro roads are terrible year round) and a couple of ball joint replacements with control arms and a couple of shock absorbers. I never missed a scheduled oil change or tire rotation. I even changed oil before every long distance trip. So now October 2020, at 188,000 miles, I change the oil and transmission fluid last Tuesday the 27th and all was good. Before going to work on Friday I stop to fill with gas. I’m driving to work and the engine light goes on, the engine begins to hesitate, then chug and dies. I restart it and immediately drove (I live close to the original Ford dealer we purchased the Edge from) to the Ford dealer rolling into the dealers lot without power. They tell me today (Monday 11/2) I have to replace the internal water pump for $1,500 or a rebuilt motor for $3,500 or a new engine at $7,500. What the hell, I literally couldn’t breath! I made a few phone calls to friends and one is a Ford mechanic of 40+ years. (retiring in two weeks) Ford is suppose to recommend a timing chain and oil pump replacement at 125,000 miles. I have reviewed every dealer paid receipt and have never been provided a written recommendation regarding the oil pump or timing chain. I’m absolutely besides myself, we cannot afford this. I agree with db above buying a low mileage Buick Enclave is probably the best bet available. So I’ll replace the oil pump, no warranty available and immediately trade it off for the Buick.

    Reply
  10. I am in the same situation with my 2010 Ford Flex Limited. I had just gotten the expensive and well-known problem with the blown turbos taken care of ($2400 fixing it myself) AND then the water pump let go! I have been so disheartened with Ford over this I have simply let it sit in my shop yard for 2 years. Do I sell it for parts and lick my wounds? Or, do I spend $3000 on a replacement engine and try to unload it on some poor soul who thinks they are getting a good deal but will eventually have to replace the turbos AND the engine again. It is a sad state when I feel too guilty about fixing this piece of S### car. So I guess it is time for this thing to go to the graveyard.

    Reply
  11. 2011 Ford Explorer amazing car until… yes water pump leaks into engine, engine had to be replaced, $9,000 dollars later I am wondering why Ford is not been made accountable for this design.

    Reply
    1. Yup happened to me on 2011. Replaced water pump, timing change and not more than 6 days later engine ceased just now on highway I’m not paying for a new engine.Mechanic would not help us and we are stuck now saying. it’s not his fault. It cost us 1900 and just put wheel.bearings and new tires.. Thanks ford. I’ll never buy a Ford again. Can’t afford repairing more on it. I called them and they could care less.

      Reply
      1. Oh FFS, mine is in having this repair done now. what a shit show. so what you are saying after a $2500 bill that i should sell it within 5 days…. and yes – Ford Couldnt give a shit.

        Reply
  12. Water pump failed on our Flex. Putting a water pump inside the engine is ridiculous. You wouldn’t believe how many parts you have to take out to get to it. You need a special tool for the timing chain and you’re only going to use that tool maybe twice in your life time. Ours failed when husband was on the highway it was very busy and at a curve in the road, at night. No warning light. Went out to get him waiting for the tow truck we almost got hit several times. They are responsible to take care of this no matter what. I’ll be thankful we were killed are they being really sorry.

    Reply
  13. Water pumps all fail after a certain amount of miles. All same manufs know this and put them on the outside of the engine where they are run by the serpentine belt, or sometimes they are electric. They are actually designed to weep coolant through a small weep hole + they usually chirp and make other noise as a warning before they let go. Placing them on the inside of the engine is a HORRIBLE design which gives no consideration to the owner. Engines can easily go 300K these days, which is way beyond life expectancy of any water pump. I’ve never owned a Ford and after this fiasco, probably never will.

    Reply
  14. When your charged $3200 to replace a water pump in an edge with only 44,000 miles on it , yes it becomes an issue!

    Reply
  15. 2011 Edge SEL – 92,000kms ( 57,000 miles) . no warning, no noises. BAM! stranded on then highway. Oil dip stick looks like a milkshake. This just is not right! ON the Phone with FORD, this cant be ignored….

    Reply
  16. My 2013 Ford Explorer has 122,000 miles on it and is currently at a Ford dealership having the fuel pump replaced. It started leaking coolant. I called corporate to see about any recall for this issue, Unfortunately there isn’t one. It will cost $2500 to replace it. In November of last year (2020) the heater on the passenger side went out (another known issue that Ford refuses to issue a recall on that lots of people have to get fixed) and I had to have that fixed along with my rear catalytic converter that set me back $3100. Had the front catalytic converter replaced a couple years ago. Bummer its been a great car up until this point and its paid off. Time to get rid of it before I have even more problems.

    Reply
  17. I have a 2014 Ford Explorer that I just have to replace the engine in because the water pump failed WITHOUT WARNING. When my vehicle died on the road, I checked the oil dipstick….brown and watery! Had to get a used engine to replace, including new water pump….$4700! We have always loved our Ford trucks/SUV’s….have been buying them since 1992…all have gone 300,000 miles. But this engine with the water pump in the engine is the WORST design. My vehicle had over 150,000 when my water pump went…..so better than most that have posted, but still unacceptable.
    So sad that I will NOT buy a new Explorer, because of the Duratec engine. Ford should have recalled these vehicles. Advice to Ford- do the right thing….QUIT USING THESE ENGINES, or you will lose many once loyal customers!

    Reply
    1. The new Explorers are rear wheel drive…and water pump on it and F 150…have it outside the engine…unlike your model…they are Duratech as well…open the hood of a F 150 with one…

      Reply
  18. I have a 2011 Ford Edge with 188k miles. I really liked this car and it was cozy but overall it’s a piece of s***. I have taken care of this car from the moment I got it and so did the owners prior to me. But it’s been one awful costly experience after the next. One time I exited off the highway and had to put all 120 lbs of my weight into my brake because the pump went out and I could hardly stop. This was not only scary but dangerous and came entirely out of the blue. Cost me over $800 which whatever. But i recently had my car checked out and the mechanic said I needed to take it back to whoever did it because it was not okay and needed to be replaced AGAIN. Last week I had new RIMS and tires put on because my rims were faulty and “cracking” which had me filling the air in my tires every few days. I had the new rims on for literally THREE hours before having to tow my car to a shop due to it overheating. They quoted me at $3,400 for the replacement of the water pump and drive chains or whatever it is. It cost that much because of the awful design and location of the water pump. I never have been recommended to have this replaced ever. This is entirely BS. This car is a piece of junk and I don’t even want to bother fixing it. Also considering the low tire pressure light came on AGAIN. After new rims and tires. I’m so done with this awful poorly made vehicle. Ford should do something about this. How are you even going to recommend somebody replacing a water pump at some point in the vehicles life when you put the d**** thing smack dab in the middle of the engine?!!?

    Reply
    1. …and under a load of inaccessible covers. I just watched a vid on YouTube with guy changing the water pump on a Ford 3.7. He had to remove the engine, by lifting the body off, impossible for a ‘home fix’.

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  19. My 2011 Taurus SHO I bought as gently used factory executive car. It had been a while since owning a Ford — and I wanted to support Ford an American owned company who hasn’t taken a government bail out.

    At 80xxx miles the car nearly overheated one night going down I24 — near Clarksville, TN a busy freeway with the nearby Army base.

    I first heard piston knock, then noticed the heat gauge climb. I immediately pulled off to let it cool. Then I made many short runs — flashers on, to the next exit paying close attention to the gauges while praying no one would hit me.

    Once at the gas station I noticed the coolant bottle was bone dry. Being somewhat mechanical I grabbed my flashlight and looked under the car for any evidence of a coolant leak. Nothing. I went inside and bought a gallon of coolant, poured it in, started the car and immediately noticed a cyclonic swirl — like a toilet flushing. Within seconds the reservoir was empty. I quickly looked underneath and nothing. THEN.. the motor developed a rough idle and I jumped to shut it off. I thought wow — if no pump leak then maybe a blown head gasket? I pulled the oil fill cap off and what a mess. Total milkshake. Then pulled the dipstick and way over the max fill line. I had just nearly hydro locked my own engine.

    After towing it to the repair shop I came to find out that Ford seems to think mixing oil and water is a good thing — by designing their 3.5 and 3.7 engines with internal water pumps, a common replacement part. If it’s a twin turbo eco boost…guess what? The turbos get to enjoy a nice milkshake as well!!

    So in short, I spent over $4k to disassemble the entire front of the engine, replace the pump, put a new timing chain and gears, use a magnet to fish the bearings out of the pan, clean the turbos and flushed the motor 4 times with synthetic oil to get all of the coolant out. Then we were still not sure how much if any damage to the motor had for both the heat it experienced after the milkshake indulgence.

    HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE HORRIBLE DESIGN!

    I still have the car — but I’m really not sure why. It mainly sits in the garage now doing mostly local runs. To be honest I’m apprehensive to take it out of town for long trips — especially at night as there js no warning for when these pumps fail.

    Reply
    1. Same exact situation except I had a friend look at it, he still has the car as he is stuck somewhere in the putting it back together process. He has been fixing it since April. Don’t know whether to sell it for parts or take a gamble and tow it to shop for thousands more in repair costs. I will still be too nervous to drive it.

      Reply
  20. My 2014 Ford Explorer wasn’t getting heat and found the coolant to be low. Once this continued for about 2 weeks we realized something must be really wrong. Mind you there was no leak to be found, nothing leaking under the car. I take it to the dealer and low and behold the water pump is bad and its going to cost nearly 3000 to fix because they have to pull the engine! How crappy of Ford to make such a costly design!

    Reply
  21. My 2016 Ford Explorer’s water pump went without warning. I came out of work to go home, found the ground beneath it was soaked in fluid. Ford’s diagnosis, failed water pump. My vehicle has been in their garage for three days now and was advised it would take a minimum of 13 hours of labor to fix due to the horrible design of where Ford positioned the pump and parts under the hood. So I am a single Mom, trying to survive, pay for college for my son’s future success, plus normal life costs and now I have a minimum cost of $3,000.00, most likely more, to fix it. How does a well known entity like Ford, have technology and operational management members making such pathetic design decisions that cost its customers thousands of dollars and not correct this enormous issue volumes of us are left having our wallets pounded like this?!?! It is unethical and immoral. Ironically a couple months ago I completed my degree & did a paper on Ford and how they come through to meet the need of others, ex. During Covid. I am beyond disgusted personally living the actual truth of how Ford actually is. I read and read how so many people are having this same situation I am living. Even a prior lawsuit. Ford needs to learn accountability and ethically support/assist its customers and redesign its vehicles. I’ve always been a loyal Ford customer, I will never buy a Ford ever again. Extremely disappointed, totally unfair!!!!

    Reply
  22. Ford put a water pump, inside an engine, and did not vent the water out?

    This is ridiculous and just cost us 5k for a water pump!

    Reply
  23. My 2017 Explorer had this problem as well, and it would have cost me $3,300 from a licensed Ford mechanic to fix it. I ended up trading it in, and ended up upside down on my current vehicle, because of the problem. My Explorer didn’t have 60K miles on it. The Nissan dealership I traded it in at called later and said they opened the engine, and the consistency of the oil was like mud. I found that odd, because I had always taken it to my local Ford Dealership (Tallahassee Ford) to get the oil changed. Even though I don’t have this vehicle anymore, this problem has cost me thousands.

    Reply
  24. Terrible design, but it’s not just Ford. The Honda 3.5L has the same issue.

    Reply
  25. Same thing just happened to my 2013 Madza CX-9 at 108,000 miles with 3.7 Ford engine. $3800 to replace water pump with no guarantee or $10,000 for new engine.
    This just can’t be right.

    Reply
  26. I have a 2007 Ford edge and my car is all messed up because my water pump whenr out

    Reply
  27. I have a 2013 ford taurus and I have purchase fords exclusively for about the past 25 years as they have tended to be rock solid. I had thought the thermostat had went bad as the vehicle would not heat so my plan was to take it and have an instant oil change then head over to the auto repair shop to get my heating problem fixed. As soon as I pulled in line for the oil change the coolant over-heated message came on. Took it to the local firstone, which then said told me to take it to the dealer, took it to the dealer which it will cost me over 3K to fix. Thanks Ford.

    I was actually contemplating trading it in for an explorer to give me room for another person, but since this happened I doubt I will buy another ford.

    Reply
  28. Here this Judge…is nik picking over a technically…and over looking the main problem….Ford on a F 150 or Transit van…have that same engine….install the water pump outside….and they could have easy put it inside like on the others….is there a reason.?…that water pump shaft doesnt stick out far….not hardly any more that a.c compressor….its a bad design…infact a safety defect issue….when that water pump fails…the engine stops in a few seconds in a lot of cases….hope the appeal it and move forward

    Reply
  29. Just happened last,night 2009 mazda 6 with a ford v6 and 88 ,000 miles.Water pump leaked into the engine . Dealer price new motor 14, 000 dollars

    Reply
  30. 2016 MKS with 71k miles, great service history now needs a water pump! Never again Ford!!!!!!!

    Reply

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