Ford Ignition Module Class Action

Reid v. Ford Motor Company
British Columbia Supreme Court
Vancouver Registry No. S023572

This class action was commenced June 25, 2002 against Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited (collectively, “Ford”).  The claim alleged that:

A)           Ford knew that its Motorcraft® TFI-IV modules, an ignition component installed on the distributors of numerous 1983-1995 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, had an inordinately high propensity for failure due to overheating (the “Defect”);

B)           When the Motorcraft® TFI-IV module failed, the engine of the vehicle could stall suddenly and unexpectedly, even while traveling on the roadway, thereby creating an unreasonable risk to the occupants of the vehicles (the “Risk”); and

C)          Ford concealed from the public and from government officials the information it had about the Defect and the Risk.

The settlement was binding on:

• Canadian residents who currently own 1983 through 1995 model year Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles with Motorcraft® distributor-mounted Thick Film Ignition IV Module; and
  
  
• Canadian residents who previously owned or leased a 1983 through 1995 model year Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle with a Motorcraft® distributor-mounted Thick Film Ignition IV Module and paid or were charged for the cost of replacing or repairing such a module.

Click here to view the Settlement Agreement and Release.

According to the settlement, two key benefits were available to the Settlement Class:

1.              Reimbursement Program:

Ford reimbursed members of the Settlement Class for actual amounts paid by them for costs incurred (ie, parts, labour, and towing), up to maximum of $325.00 CDN (inclusive of taxes) in replacing TFI Modules in class vehicles that had been in operation for 160,000 kilometres or less at the time of such replacement.   This program expired on March 13, 2007.

2.              Extended Warranty Program:

Ford provided current owner members of the Settlement Class with  an extension of new vehicle warranty coverage with respect to the TFI Modules to the first 160,000 kilometres of vehicle operation.  Those who wish to claim warranty service under this program must sign a sworn statement (see attached “Extended Warranty Declaration”) at a dealership before the service is effected.  The statement does not need to be notarized.