The last words you ever want to hear regarding your car are “catastrophic engine failure.” Unfortunately, that’s exactly the problem that some Ford owners have been running into across North America. Recently, a group of Canadian Ford owners have banded together to sue the manufacturer, claiming that their vehicles had faulty water pumps that led to dramatic engine failures.
There’s little to no difference in Ford vehicles sold in Canada and the US. If you own certain Ford models, you should consider the Canada lawsuit a sign that you might be in danger. Here’s what you need to know about the Ford water pump engine problems, signs you might have a faulty pump, and what to do to get it fixed.
Problems with Ford Water Pumps
Water pumps are essential for keeping your car’s engine cool and running smoothly. The water pump circulates water and coolant throughout the engine to absorb extra heat and vent it out the exhaust pipes. They can fail in many ways, but the most common problem is cracks that lead to leaks. When the water or coolant in the system leaks out, the vehicle can’t cool properly, and the engine can fail.
That’s exactly what’s going wrong with Ford pumps, as alleged by the Canadian lawsuit. According to the plaintiffs’ claims, the pumps failed and leaked coolant into the rest of the engine. Not only did this cause overheating problems, but it also damaged other engine components due to the exposure to the coolant. As a result, the engines broke down while being driven, causing drivers to get into accidents and suffer injuries.
There’s a wide range of models that are allegedly affected, including recent models such as:
- 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental
- 2008-2019 Taurus
- 2011-2019 Explorer
- 2009-2019 Flex
You could have a vehicle that’s only two or three years old whose engine is at risk of catastrophic failure because of a faulty pump. Luckily, if your car is really that new, it’s still under warranty. You should be able to get the problem fixed as long as you identify the problem quickly.
Signs Your Water Pump Is Going Bad
Whether you’re already concerned about your Ford’s engine or you just want to be prepared, it’s useful to know what a failing water pump looks like. There are three major signs that your water pump is going bad:
- Frequent overheating or warning lights: The first sign that your water pump is failing is your engine’s temperature starting to rise. If you notice your Ford’s engine warning light coming on frequently or the temperature rising towards the top of the gauge, your pump may be starting to fail.
- Leaking coolant: If the coolant leak is bad enough, you’ll start to discover pools of coolant underneath your car when it’s parked. Coolant tends to be clear and pale yellow, unlike black oil or red brake fluid.
- White smoke coming from the engine block: Both steam and burning coolant look like clouds of white smoke, and they’re both signs your water pump isn’t working. It’s a sign that there’s a crack in your water pump that’s leaking onto hot elements of your engine. If you ever see white vapor leaking from your engine, pull over and turn off your car immediately.
Any one of these signs is bad news. If you notice any of them, you need to take your car to the mechanic and have them check out your engine as soon as possible. Delaying your repairs could make the problem much worse or even ruin your car entirely.
What to Do If Your Water Pump Has Failed
But what if your water pump has already broken down? If you notice the signs mentioned above, there’s a good chance that the faulty part has already caused serious damage to your engine. In the best-case scenario, you’ll still need to have the water pump repaired or replaced. None of that kind of maintenance is cheap.
The answer may be to have Ford take care of the repairs for you. If the part was faulty to begin with, then it’s covered under California warranty laws. As long as your car is still under warranty, you can get in touch with the manufacturer and file a claim for the water pump.
Ford will have to inspect your car and look for warranty issues. If they determine that it is their fault, they will follow the warranty and repair it, often at no cost to you. If the damage is significant, you may be able to file a lemon claim. In this case, the manufacturer should either replace or refund your vehicle entirely.
What if they don’t agree that your car has been damaged because of a warranty issue? You can still fight back. One benefit of the Canadian lawsuit going ahead is that California Ford owners have a significant edge in claims for comparable problems. You can use the evidence from that case to demonstrate that other people have had similar issues and argue that Ford must fix the problem or fail to honor the warranty.
If Ford continues to push back, it’s time to take legal action. The company may not choose to ignore its own guarantees or California warranty laws. You can work with experienced attorneys to ensure that Ford doesn’t force you to drive an unsafe car.
Protect Yourself and Other Drivers
The Ford water pump lawsuit in Canada is an important warning to people in California. If one lawsuit has been given permission to go ahead, it’s a sign that there’s substance to the complaints about faulty pumps. If you’re driving one of the Fords affected by this problem, you may be at risk of a major engine failure.
If you’re already seeing signs that your vehicle has a damaged pump, it’s time to get help. The experts at Johnson & Buxton can help you determine whether your car might be a lemon. Schedule your consultation to learn what you should do next and make sure you’re not driving a dangerous car longer than you need to be.
