Ford Recall Frustrates Owners, Leading to Legal Action | Carscoops

      Owners assert that Ford's installation of smaller tires has decreased the van's ride height and diminished its capabilities in comparison to the original tires.

      Ford's recall involved replacing the original 30.5-inch tires with smaller ones, leading to a reduction in ground clearance and performance.

      A class action lawsuit challenges Ford's remedy, alleging it compromises the off-road abilities of the Transit Trail.

      Some owners report spending thousands to modify their vans in order to maintain the original tire size.

      The Ford Transit Trail was designed as a slightly more rugged and off-road capable variant of the well-known van. However, a recall issued by the manufacturer last year has upset some owners, resulting in a class action lawsuit. They argue that Ford's solution has rendered the Transit Trail less capable of handling off-road conditions than initially marketed.

      Last March, Ford announced that the standard 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tires were rubbing against the inner arch liners during turns. To address this, the company decided to replace these tires with smaller 28.5-inch ones. Nevertheless, the class action filed in Delaware claims this undermines the purpose of the Transit Trail and also lowers the van's ground clearance.

      The lawsuit accuses Ford of failing to deliver on its promises.

      According to the legal filing, Ford introduced the model aiming to tap into a growing market where many Transit owners were modifying their vehicles for better off-road performance. The class action not only criticizes Ford for not ensuring the model could accommodate 30.5-inch tires but also states that installing smaller tires has left owners with a vehicle “more akin to the less expensive Ford Transit base model than the Transit Trail.”

      “While Ford pledged to provide off-road capable vehicles suitable for camping and adventure, the recall diminishes the primary advantage of the Transit ‘Trail’ models— the larger 30.5-inch tires and enhanced ground clearance,” the lawsuit claims.

      Owners are taking action themselves.

      Several Transit Trail owners are included in the lawsuit, such as Michele Provo, who purchased her vehicle in February 2024 for off-roading and camping purposes. After discovering the tire-scraping problem, she reportedly invested nearly $2,000 in new springs and skid plates to ensure her van could still accommodate the 30.5-inch tires.

      Another plaintiff, Susan Cherwa, states that she had to employ an upfitter, Vandoit, to remove the wheel well liner, enhance the suspension, and modify the pinch welds in her Transit Trail to prevent similar issues.

      The class action seeks a jury trial and aims to represent all owners and lessees in the United States who own a 2023-2024 Ford Transit Trail.