Do you have a Ford EcoSport that keeps shaking at high speeds? Is the problem ongoing, even though you’ve had the car inspected by the dealership multiple times? Unfortunately, it appears that your car is afflicted with the Ford Shake, a defect that’s felt most acutely at around 65 to 75 miles per hour. The constant rattling and shaking of an SUV can be terrifying, especially when you have no idea what’s causing the issue. However, there are laws in place to hold manufacturers responsible for a defective automobile. Known commonly as the California lemon law, this legislation allows consumers to seek compensation if there is a significant defect that affects their vehicle’s usability, safety, or value.
If you believe that you are the owner of a lemon Ford EcoSport, please give us a call to speak to an experienced lemon law lawyer, who can help you the following questions:
- If my Ford EcoSport keeps shaking, can I return my SUV and get my money back?
- Can I replace my SUV if they can’t fix the problem?
- The manufacturer won’t take me seriously when I complain about the shaking issues; what are my rights?
What’s Causing my SUV to Shake?
Ford has unfortunately developed a reputation for the “Ford Shake,” a problem that’s been noted in countless Ford SUVs, trucks, and cargo vans. Consumers generally report the issue as a persistent shaking (or vibrating) when they’re driving at high speeds. The shaking, which may affect the seat, steering wheel, or the entire body of the SUV, is most obvious once the car exceeds 65 miles per hour.
As of now, no exact cause has been determined as to why the Ford EcoSport shakes at highway speeds, though there are several possibilities:
- Suspension components that are worn out (ball joints, shock absorbers, etc.)
- Vibration caused by bent or damaged wheels
- Uneven tire wear (usually from overinflating the tire or improper alignment)
- Problems with the engine and/or transmission
- Wheels that are out of balance
The key is to have the problem diagnosed before it leads to serious consequences, including a car accident. Please take your vehicle to a qualified Ford mechanic right away to determine what is causing the Ford Shake in your vehicle.
In the next section, we will discuss your rights under the California lemon law if the shaking issue with your vehicle is not resolved by the manufacturer.
Can I Lemon my Car if my SUV Shakes at High Speeds?
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act provides remedies for those who continue to experience problems with their vehicle during the warranty period. Thus, if you’ve taken your vehicle in for repairs multiple times and it’s still shaking at high speeds, you may have grounds to lemon your car and receive a refund, also known as a repurchase or manufacturer buyback. Alternatively, you can return your Ford EcoSport and get a new SUV of equivalent value, or agree to keep the car and receive a cash settlement for the hassle of dealing with the vehicle’s defect.
It’s essential to understand the pros and cons of each of these options, and any applicable deductions that will affect your overall payment amount. Our lawyers will be happy to go over all the relevant factors and help you make a decision that’s in your best interest. In addition, we can talk to you about all the steps you must take before you can classify your SUV as a lemon. These include giving the manufacturer a “reasonable” number of repair attempts, since it’s possible that the shaking problem may be rectified. We can advise you on the number of times you should take your car in for repairs, and what to do if the Ford Shake doesn’t go away.
Lemon Law Case Settlement Values
There is no universal value for a lemon lawsuit settlement, which is based on the financial losses that each victim has incurred. Much of these losses are based on the contract price of the vehicle, but out of pocket expenses also play a big role. If there was an accident, the consumer may have grounds for a personal injury claim, which can also add to the value of a lemon law case. When all the relevant factors are taken into account, a Ford EcoSport lemon claim may be worth anywhere from $5,000 to 100,000 or more, depending on the circumstances that are unique to each claimant’s experience with their vehicle.
How Long Do These Cases Take to Settle?
How long it takes to settle a lemon lawsuit depends on the complexity of your case, the manufacturer’s cooperation, and the necessary legal actions to recover your payment, Sometimes, this is a fairly quick process that takes around 30 days to a few months. But other cases take over a year to resolve, due to significant defects, financial losses, and aggravation by the client. Please know that our goal is to secure a settlement on your behalf as fast as possible. Simultaneously, we don’t want you to sacrifice on the amount you are entitled to under the state’s lemon law. The decision to accept a manufacturer’s offer or take your case to trial is always up to you, but we are with you every step of the way no matter how long it takes to bring you justice.
Deadline to Sue the Manufacturer for a Lemon SUV
It’s crucial to file your complaint for a lemon vehicle within 4 years, which is the statute of limitations for a lemon law claim in California. We recommend that you contact us to determine when the 4-year time period begins. Usually, the statute of limitations starts from the first repair attempt, but there may be circumstances that will lessen or lengthen the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit. However, it’s never a good idea to wait on a lemon case, since that will only add to the amount of time it will take to settle your claim. Call us right away to learn about your legal options from a Ford lemon law attorney at our office.
Who Pays the Legal Fees in a California Lemon Case?
Fortunately, all legal fees in a lemon claim are covered by the manufacturer, which is guaranteed by law. Many consumers are unable to afford an attorney, and the law recognizes that it’s unfair to go up against a major corporation on your own. Thus, it will be Ford Motor Company that pays your lawyer’s hourly rate as a part of your settlement award.
That’s why you shouldn’t wait to talk to a lemon law attorney if the Ford Shake is causing you to feel unsafe in your Ford EcoSport. Someone is always available to take your call at Guardian Lemon Law Group, so contact us immediately to schedule a free case evaluation.
Free Second Opinion on Active Lemon Law Cases
A second opinion from a lawyer is similar to seeing another doctor when you need confirmation on a medical diagnosis. Instead, you are asking an expert to evaluate a pending legal case and whether it’s on the right track to a favorable resolution. Our goal is to evaluate the work that’s been done by your attorney and make recommendations that may be helpful to you. For example, it may be in your best interest to switch your lawyer and continue your claim with us. However, this is not a decision that you should make lightly, and there is no pressure at all to leave your current law firm. All you have to do right now is give us a call and take advantage of a free second opinion from one of our attorneys.
Speak to an Experienced Lemon Law Attorney
The Ford Shake has been a problem for quite a few years now, and it’s unacceptable to us that owners should be left without solutions when there is a serious defect with their vehicle. If you are dealing with a Ford EcoSport that won’t stop shaking at highway speeds, please take some time to learn about your rights under the California lemon law.
As we mentioned before, there is no cost to you as the client since the manufacturer pays the bill in a lemon law proceeding. You can hire us immediately and let us get to work on building your case and fighting for every penny you are entitled to. Our law firm also provides all clients with the Zero Fee Guarantee, so they won’t be responsible for any legal fees in the event we don’t win their case.
If you are looking for aggressive and effective representation from a lemon law expert, call Guardian Lemon Law Group to schedule a free case review. Our law firm can represent you on a lemon complaint for the following Ford / Lincoln trucks, vans, and SUVs:
- F-150
- F-250
- Ford F-350
- Ford Bronco
- Ford Bronco Sport
- Ford Escape
- Ford Edge
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Expedition
- Ford Maverick
- Ford Ranger
- Ford E-Transit
- Ford Transit Connect
- Lincoln Aviator
- Lincoln Corsair
- Lincoln Navigator
- Lincoln Nautilus