Lawsuits Filed Against Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) For Faulty Touch Systems

Denver, CO, 07/17/2013 (Avauncer.com) – Shares of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) plummeted 3.04% to close at $16.60 in its last trading session. However, shares managed to cling to the higher end of its 52-week price range of $8.82 to $17.29. Also, shares remained heavily traded with 63.28 million shares exchanging hands, as against an average volume of 41.08 million shares. This was in the backdrop of — Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, a national consumer-protection law firm filing a lawsuit alleging that the company’s MyLincoln Touch, MyFord Touch and MyMercury Touch touch screen systems are defective, which freezes very often, failing to respond to touch or voice commands or failing to connect to mobile phones altogether.

The 41 page complaint details the problems with the systems, along with Ford’s failed attempts at fixing the problem through system updates and other fixes. Ford had introduced the feature as a special add on and had charged a premium from its customer. However, the system is flawed which has not only provided inconvenience to its customers, but has also put the safety of its customers at stake.

Ford now seems to find itself with no escape, as it had already demonstrated its aware of the issue, by releasing several technical service bulletins and software updates. The complaint seeks compensation alleging breach of express and implied warranties, made out in a contract, also putting the consumer protection laws in jeopardy.

However, this problem is not specific to Ford itself, as automakers have in general struggled with easy-to-use and effective touch screen systems that would combine navigation systems and integrate entertainment along with it. Ford has faced serious criticism over the issue, with a separate site called syncsucks.com set up to voice the complaints of all customers with the system. This has made a serious dent on the claims of Ford, putting its brand value at stake. Plaintiffs now seek Ford to either recall or replace the system with better ones, which shall imply huge financial spending on the part of the company. The plaintiffs are also seeking damages, which shall also put the company’s brand image in jeopardy, more than having a financial impact.