DETROIT — A class-action litigation firm has filed suit against Ford Motor Co. for alleged defects in lug nuts on several Ford models.
The Ford Fusion, Fiesta, Escape, Flex, Focus, F-150 and F-350 are the specific models targeted in the proposed class action filed Aug. 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
But other Ford vehicles also may have the allegedly defective lug nuts, according to Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro L.L.C., a consumer-rights law firm, which says it is one of the most successful auto litigation law firms in the U.S.
In its complaint, Hagens Berman said that some auto parts are much as they were since the days of the Model A. Lug nuts, it said, are a prime example. However, the lug nuts on various current Ford vehicles fail the simple test of reliability, it said.
"Instead of a solid steel nut, Ford created and sells with its vehicles a lug nut that has a steel core with a chrome, aluminum or stainless steel cap attached to improve the appearance of the visible part of the lug nut," the complaint said.
Under normal use, the caps swell and delaminate to the point that the lug nuts cannot be removed with the lug wrench provided by Ford, according to Hagens Berman.
Owners must have their vehicles towed to repair facilities where they must pay more than $30 per wheel to have their lug nuts replaced, plus labor and towing costs, the complaint said.
