People who owned or leased a 1999 to 2016 Super Duty Ford F-series Pickup Truck may have been placed at risk of serious injury and property damage due to roof collapse and may be eligible for compensation.
Ford Super Duty Pickup Truck Roof Crush
Ford Motor Company may be facing hundreds of thousands of lawsuits over claims that certain models of its pickup trucks may have been manufactured with weak roof structure. Up to 5.2 million 1999 to 2016 Ford Super Duty Pickup Trucks may have been manufactured with inadequate roof strength which makes the vehicles prone to roof collapse during a rollover accident. Roof collapse may result in serious injury, permanent disability and death.
Affected vehicles include 1999-2016 Ford Super Duty trucks:
- F-250
- F-350
- F-450
- F-550
Weak roof collapse in a 2002 Ford Super Duty pickup truck has already caused at least two deaths during a 2014 rollover accident which resulted in crushing of the occupants. At least 80 additional events have already been reported involving crushing injuries or deaths in rollover accidents. Other Ford trucks may also be affected.
One lawsuit has resulted in a jury award of $24 million for the family of the victims, but the problem may affect millions of vehicles and more lawsuits are expected. People who owned or leased a 1999 to 2016 Ford F-series Super Duty Pickup Truck may be eligible for compensation.
Ford Downgraded Roof Strength to Reduce Costs
Ford Motor Company has been accused of producing heavy duty pickup trucks with roof structure that is weaker than required which allows for crushing during a rollover. The affected vehicles are Ford F-series Super Duty Pickup Trucks year model 1999 to 2016. The roof structure on the vehicles intended for heavy use, is weaker than some of its lower duty truck models.
In manufacturing its Super Duty F-series pickup trucks, Ford removed weight from the roof and support pillars in the cab of the pickup, to make the trucks lighter. This resulted in trucks which are lighter in weight, potentially getting better gas milage, but being less durable and less safe than some of its lower-duty trucks.
The Super Duty Truck reportedly failed to meet Ford’s own 10,500-pound strength specification for its pickup roofs and is less sturdy than smaller vehicles including the F-150 and Ford Ranger. Lawsuits claim that Ford knew of the dangers and continued to sell the vehicles anyway.
In addition to risk of serious injury and death, Ford Super Duty Pickups are marketed as heavy duty, robust trucks. People who purchased or leased a Super Duty truck paid a premium for a vehicle which may now be considered less safe and less valuable.
People who owned or leased a 1999 to 2016 Ford F-series Super Duty Pickup Truck may be eligible for compensation.