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A class-action lawsuit has been filed alleging that the Ford Mustang has faulty wiring. It causes functions to stop working including backup cameras, trunk releases, trunk lights, and satellite radio. It is alleged to affect 2015-2017 Mustangs and can cause critical safety equipment to fail. 

The lawsuit says Ford knew about the faulty wiring but offered no warning

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt on display
Ford Mustang Bullitt is on display at the 110th Annual Chicago Auto Show | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The lawsuit says Ford knew about these wiring problems in the trunk before the Mustang went on sale. It alleges Ford didn’t warn customers about the potential problems. Ford did issue a technical service bulletin (TSB 18-2362) in 2018 alerting dealer techs about the problem and having a repair procedure for fixing it.

But the suit says that in spite of the TSB, Ford has not recalled any cars or offered to extend warranties as a result of the alleged defect. The fix is said not to work anyway because technicians are instructed to replace the broken wires by splicing a new wire into the harness. This adds two solder joints to each replaced wire. 

The lawsuit alleges the approved fix doesn’t fix the faulty Mustang wiring

a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 on display an an auto show
The Ford Motor Co. Mustang Shelby GT500 vehicle is displayed during the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan | Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Because the solder joints are hard the suit says they are more apt to break than the original wiring. This situation will continue the problems in spite of what seems like an apparent fix. The suit also alleges that Ford dealers routinely tell customers that no problems were found. Thus, the problems continue since the dealer won’t seek out the problem.

Other times the suit says dealers inform the Mustang owners that fixing the problem will be expensive. But the wiring in the trunk area is fairly easily accessed. And soldering in new wires to replace broken ones is a fairly straightforward repair.  

It is alleged by the Plaintiff he didn’t get what he paid for

A blue Ford Mustang and orange Ford Mustang on display with a contrasting black backdrop
Ford Mustangs are on display during the New York International Auto Show | Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency, Getty Images

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by Enrique Rodriguez. Plaintiff Rodriguez purchased a used 2015 Mustang in October 2019. The following month the Mustang’s backup camera began to fail. This resulted in him receiving less than what he paid for because the backup camera doesn’t work. 

The 2015 Mustang was an all-new model. With the TCB being issued in 2018 it is assumed Ford fixed the problem starting with the 2018 Mustang. That is why the lawsuit covers only the 2015-2017 Mustangs.

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Staff Writer

Thom Taylor

Thom Taylor is a celebrated automotive journalist. He was awarded the Top 100 Most Influential People in Hot Rodding from Hot Rod Magazine, and was inducted into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame and the National Rod and Custom Hall of Fame. He’s a member of SEMA and the NHRA.

Thom has authored a number of books, including Hot Rod & Custom Chronicle and several guides for drawing vehicles like a pro, which pull from his distinguished ventures as an automotive illustrator.

Thom joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2019, and focuses his coverage on new vehicle releases, design, and the latest features and tech in the industry. His tenure of 25 years writing about the industry gives him a unique context for the auto news he covers, whether it’s part of the Rusty Monday series or the latest news from Chevy. Thom has built two complete cars from the ground up and driven vintage roadsters at the Indy 500.