A new class action lawsuit has been filed against Ford Motor Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and it’s one that Ford Super Duty owners will want to take note of. The complaint, Nunez, et al., v. Ford Motor Company, alleges that 2011-present Ford Super Duty fuel pumps in trucks equipped with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engines are defective. The Bosch CP4 high-pressure fuel injection pumps reportedly can’t handle U.S. diesel fuel specifications, allegedly leading to a number of problems.
According to the lawsuit, this particular Ford Super Duty fuel pump suffers from lubrication and water content problems, which forces the pumps to run dry and causes metal to rub against metal. This metal-to-metal contact occurs because of air pockets that form inside the pumps while they are operating.
Over time, metal shavings and debris from the fuel pumps make their way into the fuel injection systems and into the engines themselves, which leads to a number of issues, including fuel pump failure and even total engine failure.
Bosch’s CP4 fuel pumps have been a great success in European markets, thanks to their ability to achieve greater fuel efficiency by pumping less fuel through the engines. But the class action lawsuit alleges that cleaner U.S. diesel fuel causes the fuel pumps to operate outside of specification and causes inadequate lubrication.
“Consumers are left with repair bills that range from $8,000 to $20,000 per vehicle,” the lawsuit alleges. “Some victims of Ford’s grand scam are American businesses who own several vehicles and have suffered multiple failures.” The suit also claims that Ford knew that these fuel pumps wouldn’t work properly due to differences in American diesel fuel quality.
The issues described reportedly began to arise as far back as the ’90s when cleaner diesel standards were first implemented in the U.S. The Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association acknowledged back in 2002 that the lower lubricity of American diesel fuel could cause fuel injection system component failures in pumps manufactured for European diesel specifications.
You can bet that this won’t be the last we hear of these Ford Super Duty fuel pump problems. But with any luck, we’ll soon find some clarity on the problem and perhaps a viable solution for owners that have experienced it.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this lawsuit, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford business news, Ford lawsuit news, Ford F-Series news, and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Expanding that lineup yet again.
A way to potentially help avoid obstructions in wet weather.
Increasing a bit compared to the past couple of quarters.
A massive project, but one certainly worth undertaking.
Most companies are transitioning workers back to the office, too.
While the overall market posted a sharp increase in issues.
View Comments
The ultra low sulfer fuel is horrible. Bad lubrication and very expensive. And it's so silly, we pay extra to have the fuel 'cleaned', and then spend even more money on Power Service or Lucas to add all that stuff right back into the fuel...
It strikes me as very strange that Europe has even stricter standards than ours, but they can make a fuel injection pump that lasts. The low-sulphur fuel excuse is worn out.
Wow these lawsuits are coming in nonstop. I am starting to worry for FoMC. how many more of these lawsuits can Ford afford?
Certain year duramax also have the same problem.
Should be suing Bosch..not Ford.
First of all the U.S. must be producing fuel that meets the current cleanliness standards, not to the standards of 1990! ; the same as current emissions requirements, but that is not happening; Time to sue the fuel standards to become compliant. This is not Bosch’s problem whatsoever! This is the EPA’s problem, because they are taking the lubricity out of the fuel, so the engines can meet the extremely severely overly ridiculous emissions requirements of today.
What’s the phone number I call
Ford knows this problem has existed for many years and has refused to acknowledge it. Insurers were, or are, considering a class action suit against Ford, as well, because of all the claims they have paid as a result of Ford's assertion of "fuel contamination" - water in the fuel. Fuel Contamination is usually covered under a US auto insurance policy's COMPREHENSIVE coverage. Insurers have paid millions to perform these body-off repairs. Ford needs to be held accountable.
The diesels I am familiar with have a water separator in the fuel line. I think even my step-dad's Oldsmobile diesel (yes, yes, I know...) had a water separator.
Where is Ford's?
This is exactly why I would never buy a diesel from any manufacturer.
They all have excessive cost and maintenance requirements related to US cold start emission standards and the lack of lubricity in the fuels with low sulfur content.
Ford is not alone with this issue.
My 2020 F250 Lariat 6.7L turbo diesel - 7 months old with 7,500 miles - has been at my local Ford dealer for 4 weeks after it simply died while driving down the road and wouldn't restart. After attempting several fixes, I'm told today that the injection pump has failed and caused metal shavings in the fuel delivery system, that Ford is going to have to replace the entire fuel delivery system. No clue how long that will take but, again, 7 months old with 1 of those months spent at the dealership. And then I find this article. Really, really (really!) frustrated.
We have a 2017 f350 going through a similar issue- only 22,000 miles. FORD is saying it is not covered on warranty and our auto insurance is not covering it as they believe it's not "contaminated gas" that caused it. we are stuck with $12,000 in a bill and a truck that won't run.
Are they covering yours on warranty?
Scott, I was on my way to Allagash Maine for a moose hunt, hauling my 32’ 5th wheel camper behind my 2011 F-350 when it went into “low power mode”. Shortly after, it died and wouldn’t restart. That was October 10th and today is November 2nd. The truck got towed, with camper attached, to Whited Ford in Presque Isle, Maine. I have talked extensively with service dept. and they say it’s almost fixed. I was told the fuel pump failed and a complete fuel system replacement was the only fix, to the time of about 7 grand. Dealer said there was about 190 fuel replacement kits on back order. They found one online somewhere in the country. Wish you luck with your vehicle. I am fast becoming a disgruntled Ford owner !!
That may fuel system replacement kits backordered should tell you something.
Our 2019 Ford F-350 was at a local dealership for over 6 months! It had less that 20,000 miles on it and Ford used the contaminated fuel excuse. We were traveling in a group with all 4 major auto brands represented and no one else had any problems. But wait! None of them had the CP4 pump! We finally gave up and bought a 2020 Chevy from a dealer who worked with us and took the Ford from us sight unseen based on our word. No more Ford junk for us!
Ya didn’t pour the def in the fuel tank did ya? ; p
Rick October 26 2020 8:pm 2017 f 350 lariat. We are going though same problem. there was no contaminated fuel. it just turned 90000. We had pulled in to a RV park in the desert 20 miles out Winslow AZ for the night. The next morning it wouldn't start we call every one in the area and no one works on small trucks. We finally got a hold of Winslow ford and they agreed to look at it. after a week they found that the high pressure pump was out, they did contact ford and the good news they will warranty the bad news its back ordered with no ship date . we are full time RVs and here we are. this truck is a really good truck we loved it but take warning, i hope Ford will follow up with this.
Did they say there was metal shavings due to the pump failure?
I just ordered a F350 DRW with the 7.3L gas motor and 10 speed.
It is rated to tow 21,000# conventional and 5th wheel trailer.
It has the 4:30 axle ratio.
The Ford diesel fuel pump operates at 36,000psi and fires 8 times per piston stroke, way too complicated in my opinion. Silverado and Ram have similar systems and problems.
There is no justification for a diesel, in my opinion and I also saved $10,000 on the purchase.