FORD EXPLORER CLASS ACTION ROLLOVER LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT REACHED: WRONGFUL DEATH AND PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUITS CONTINUE FOR RELATED CAR ACCIDENTS
800,000 Ford Explorer owners reached a tentative settlement for the loss in the value of their vehicles due to the perceived rollover danger of the SUV. A Sacramento, California county judge accepted the deal to settle the class-action lawsuits against Ford Motor Co. in California, Texas, Connecticut, and Illinois.
Several personal injury and wrongful death cases against Ford for several rollover accidents involving the Explorer will continue and are not related to this settlement. These product liability lawsuits were filed after more than 250 people were killed and hundreds were injured in accidents involving Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. tires. Most of these tires were installed on Explorers at the time the accidents occurred.
The California portion of the rollover lawsuit covered around 400,000 Explorer owners and went to trial earlier this year for around 50 days before the parties announced in October that they were close to a deal. The lawsuit alleges that Ford falsely advertised the Explorer as a safe vehicle when they had evidence that they were prone to rollovers. Ford continues to argue that the Explorer was safe and does not admit to any wrongdoing.
The settlement covers consumers who purchased Ford Explorers model years 1991 to 2001. Those customers will either receive a $500 voucher to purchase a new Explorer or a $300 voucher to purchase another Ford or Lincoln Mercury product. Vouchers are transferable to anyone in the same state at the original vehicle owner. In total Ford could pay upwards of $25 million related to this case. A final hearing will be held on April 15 and vehicle owners who do not agree with the settlement will be allowed to object at that time.
