It was probably a matter of time before someone picked up the Consumer Reports review that accused Ford of misstating the 2013 C-MAX Hybrid and Fusion Hybrid fuel economy numbers and filing a lawsuit.
The publication contested the 47 mpg city/highway/combined figure and said that the two Ford hybrids had the “distinction” of recording the greatest difference between the EPA-approved mpg and the ones it achieved during its own tests.
The McCuneWright law firm filed a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District South court in the Eastern District of California Richard Pitkin of Roseville, California, on December 7.
Pitkin wants Ford to reimburse both him and other owners the purchase price and rescind sales of both vehicles in California.
“We are aware of the matter but cannot discuss pending litigation”, a Ford spokesman told Autonews today. After the CR review, the Blue Oval responded that hybrids are sensitive to driving styles, while the EPA is reviewing the tests’ findings.
By Andrew Tsaousis
![2013-Ford-Fusion-Hybrid-6[2]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xtr1buP1tW4/UNyovHbqAlI/AAAAAAAK3fY/JY6BDgvqIE0/s1600-h/2013-Ford-Fusion-Hybrid-6%25255B2%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg "2013-Ford-Fusion-Hybrid-6[2]")
7 Comments:
Hyundai has done the right thing and is compensating owners like myself for the misstated MPG figures on our new vehicles,i.e. my 2013 Elantra GT.Now it is time for Ford and other manufactures to be held accountable also.
Ford C-Max Hybrid Lawsuit: C-Max Sold by Hyundai! Not Ford! I didn't know. http://cmaxchat.com/?p=1371
This is the same law firm that first tried this with GM and failed, then Honda and failed, they tried to get in on the EPA complaint with Hyundai/Kia but failed, now they try again with Ford.
Ford tested based on EPA testing and provided EPA certified numbers, so Ford has nothing to worry about.
The EPA stated they would review CR's 'data and claims'...at some point. The EPA is NOT looking to re-test Ford vehicles. has already backed the EPA certified numbers for the C-Max and Fusion Hybrids with a statement that 'driving habits of hybrids can impact mpg up to 20%'. The original article from Automotive News had it right, then Detroit News distorted the facts and other blogs followed suite.
What's odd is that the 'law firm' is basing their entire case on CR data, who does not follow strict EPA testing methods, but goes faster, which is why ALL hybrids tested by CR fail to reach EPA numbers. Comparing apples to oranges.
Currently C-Max Hybrid owners on fuelly.com report individual average mpg from 32-55 mpg. With most not reaching the 6k mile break-in period for the lithium battery that can offer an additional 5mpg. Compare that with the 2012 Prius-v owners reporting average mpg from 35-55 with no lithium battery.
2013 Fusion Hybrid owners report average mpg from 31-45mpg, with none reaching the 6k mile break in period for the lithium battery that can offer an additional 5mpg. Compare with the 2012 Camry Hybrid at 33-45 with no lithium battery.
bloggin is absolutely right. And i hope that MarkPerry pays close attention to what is said. Ford has not "misstated" anything. The EPA generates these fuel economy numbers based on their own testing methodology, those numbers are then passed onto the auto manufactures. BY LAW the auto manufacture MUST display these numbers for fuel economy. To display any other number, including a lower one, would have see receiving a massive fine from the EPA, and the Consumer Affairs branch of the Attorney Generals Office for false advertising.
Ford is in NO WAY RESPONSIBLE for the numbers on their cars window stickers.
The truth is, every car manufacture, knowing exactly the routine and formulas used by the EPA testing labs, games the system to produce inflated economy numbers. With a combination of taller final drives, skip shift automatic transmission programs, and crafty electronic throttle and fuel injection programming, and a catalytic converter every 2 feet in the exhaust. All to help reduce tail pipe emissions, to in turn produce a higher apparent fuel economy number by how the EPA tests. Which unfortunately has absolutely no real correlation to how real world consumption based fuel economy works.
Bottom line, leave Fords "guilt" out of it. They have done nothing wrong.
The Ford Tech. guy drove my C-max to 43 mgg. However, he had to drive completely unrealistically. He took the best possible route, turned off the heat, drove like a grandma, and alternated his driving speed on a steady course. We were honked at 3 times. Any slight incline on the highway and you must reduce your speed from 60 mph to much less. Ford knew it was totally unrealistic and just a computer software training program trick in which any car could get much better gas mileage driving is such a way. They need to pay up. Nowhere in the Ford manual does it say you will NOT get good gas mileage on cruise control. In fact, it says the opposite.
I also lease a 2010 Prius and Insight both of which have far superior MPG
Performance (40-51mpg). I thought this would be a Prius Killer? As a
cross over buyer I feel deceived. I want to support US companies and US
jobs. What was Ford thinking when they published 47 / 47 estimates? I
would have been ok with low 40's but low 28-33 is not even in the ball
park. Mark my words there will be no fix for this. Ford should offer
to take the cars back or offer cash compensation to offset the
mileage claims. The EPA estimates will have to be adjusted to the mid
30's and sell the cars as is. Which is ok as long as the consumer knows
what they are buying.
My dealer's sales and service department were ok at the beginning of the
complaint process, but now have turned hostile and un-professional.
Ronald Kramer
Yankee Ford Customer
South Portland, Main
Ford does the EPA test and is responsible for false advertising.
With 2000+ miles, my CMAX got 34.3 mpg with cruise control driving and light foot electric in city.
That is a -27% discrepancy with product defect damages to anyone who bought the car for 47 mpg.
Car had a faulty driver's seat adjustment control and was delivered with 111 unexplained extra miles.
About time the auto industry held accountable for misbehaviour.
The market, not the EPA or lawyers, will have the final say...
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