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CHICAGO, Feb. 29, 2000 --
The consumer law firm repesenting owners of Ford vehicles today
issued the following response to Ford's press release regarding
its warranty extension.
On December 9, 1999, in Chicago,
Illinois, a class action lawsuit was filed against Ford Motor
Company by Horwitz, Horwitz and Associates, Ltd. on behalf of
plaintiff Lance Lhotka. Mr. Lhotka owns a 1995 Ford Windstar
which experienced premature head gasket failure.
In June of 1998, Ford issued extended warranty 98M01, which
extended coverage on affected vehicles to 5 years or 60,000
miles. However, Ford has failed to honor the explicit terms
of 98M01, even though the 1995 Windstar and other Ford vehicles
are infamous for repeated instances of premature head gasket
failure.
The suit alleges that Ford's failure to assume full responsibility
for the defective condition of the 3.8 liter engine and the
costly repairs necessary to the vehicles of Mr. Lhotka and thousands
of other Ford customers amounts to Breach of Warranty and Breach
of Contract. The suit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages
and attorneys' fees.
On February 25, 2000, in response to the class action lawsuit
and growing consumer pressures, Ford issued a press release
which indicates that Ford will extend the warranty on vehicles
covered by the lawsuit to 7 years or 100,000 miles. The release
also indicates that Ford will either reimburse consumers for
head gasket repairs already performed or offer a $4,000 coupon
on the purchase of a new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle.
Ford's press release leaves unresolved several issues of great
importance to consumers:
Ford still has not acknowledged
that the 3.8 liter engine is defective. Ford has not stated whether it
will reimburse consumers for the cost total engine replacement
caused by head gasket failure. Ford has not stated what criteria
will be applied to consumers seeking reimbursement for repairs.
Ford has not stated whether it
will provide reimbursement for costs associated with head
gasket repair, such as towing bills and car rental bills.
Even at this late date and after
a year of frustration for consumers prior to the filing of the
class action, Ford apparently maintains that the class action
lawsuit had nothing to do with its newly announced program.
The attorneys at Horwitz & Associates
are presently in discussions with Ford to determine the extent
of Ford's newly announced program and its impact upon consumers.
The attorneys intend to seek the Court's assistance in obtaining
Ford's cooperation in safeguarding the interests of consumers
victimized by the 3.8 liter engine.
-- Horwitz, Horwitz, and Associates,
Ltd. Clifford Horwitz,
Richard Doherty
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July 24 2008
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