Lawsuit Filed In Canada Over Ford Plug-In Hybrid Batteries

Back in January, The Blue Oval recalled select 2020-2024 Ford Escape PHEV and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring models due to an issue with high voltage battery cells that may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure or a fire. To rectify the problem, Ford instructed dealers to perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. However, The Blue Oval is now facing more than one lawsuit pertaining to this same manner – in both the U.S. and Canada.

Last month, Charney Lawyers filed a class-action lawsuit against FoMoCo claiming that 2020-present Ford Escape PHEV and Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring models are equipped with faulty batteries that can cause fires, even when the vehicles are parked and turned off. According to Car Complaints, that same firm has filed a lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada over the same matter – Sara Davies v. Ford Motor Company, et al. 

The lawsuit alleges that Ford informed owners of these impacted PHEV models that it was working on a solution for the problem, but in the meantime, owners are left paying more money for fuel than they expected when they purchased those vehicles, given the fact that they’ve been instructed not to charge their vehicles until a remedy is ready. One Escape owner that’s part of the lawsuit claims that they were previously using the crossover’s EV-only capability to complete 99 percent of their driving, but now, that isn’t possible.

“As a result, they are incurring additional cost for gasoline (and wear and tear on the engine) because they cannot charge the vehicle overnight,” the lawsuit reads. “Although Ford has promised that a repair will come in the second quarter of 2025, nothing has been provided yet. Meanwhile, Ms. Davies is stuck with a ‘plug-in’ vehicle that she cannot plug in.”