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Ford Escape

Settlement:   $14,000.00
Case Type:   Lemon Law New Car Lease
Case:   Lillian Latona v. Ford Motor Company
Date:   May 22, 2017
Plaintiff Attorney(s):   Anthony T. Ballato, Esq., of Massapequa, NY
Defendant Attorney(s):   The Erskine Law Group, P.C. of, Rochester, MI Peggy Bowers, Esq.
Facts:   On April 27, 2016, Consumer Lillian Latona, leased a new 2016 Ford Escape from Ramp Motors, Inc. of Port Jefferson Station, NY. On June 1, 2016 consumer brought the vehicle to Ramp Motors Inc. for service because she alleges when she turned on the vehicle that the dashboard lights were not operating. A few weeks later the consumer brought the vehicle back in for service alleging that in addition to the dashboard lights not operating, the tachometer, blinkers and speedometer were not working. The technician performed a diagnostic test U0155-00 and the test indicated to replace BCM. Before replacing the BCM the technician contacted the hotline. The hotline advised him to recheck pin fit on connector C220 and C2280F and circuits VDB06 and VDB07. After inspecting the pins he found that the pin in connector C220 was pushed back slightly causing TCP to lose power at times. The vehicle was fixed and returned to consumer. Once again the consumer brought the vehicle back for service alleging that the instrument cluster was not working and this time the air conditioner was not blowing. The technician performed diagnostic tests and found that loose pins were causing intermit open circuit and causing the instrument cluster, HVAC and GPS to not go on when the vehicle is on. The technician removed the pins, repaired the loose pin fit and reassembled the connector. A few weeks later when the consumer tried to turn the vehicle on, nothing happened. The battery was dead and the vehicle needed to be jump started. In December of 2016, the consumer brought the vehicle in for service alleging that the engine fault light came on and that all the other dashboard lights were on. The consumer turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle and the dash reset itself. The consumer alleges that the blinker lights were inoperable during this time. The technician took the vehicle for a test drive and after a few minutes the cluster went dead. The technician performed a self-test with the vehicle running and the ICP failed. He performed a pinpoint test and contacted the hotline. The hotline advised him to replace the instrument cluster. A few weeks later the consumer alleges that the instrument cluster went off, and that no gauges lights or blinkers were working. The technician contacted the hotline and performed a live diagnostic network test. He replaced the BCM per the hotline. The issue was still present. The dash had to be removed to access the harness. Upon doing this he found that a splice was badly repaired. He repaired the splice and took the vehicle for a road test.
Verdict:   After numerous attempts to fix the vehicle and over 54 days out of service, the consumer hired Anthony T. Ballato, Esq., of Massapequa, NY to represent her. Mr. Ballato sent a demand letter to Ford Motor Company demanding they repurchase the consumer’s vehicle pursuant to New York Lemon Law and the Federal Magnusson Moss Warranty Act. After conversations with the Manufacturer’s attorney, Peggy Bowers, Esq., in Rochester, MI, the manufacturer made a settlement offer. The case was settled for $14,000.00 for a full refund of all lease payments and attorney’s fees of $2,000.00. The consumer effectively got to keep the car free for twenty-seven (27) months.

Ligitation & General Practice

Anthony T. Ballato, Esq. on Auto Fraud and NY Lemon Law Part 1 and 2

Lemon Law Cases