Uh oh, things might have to be settled in court for the Ford F-150, Ford Explorer, and Ford Mustang. Multiple lawsuits have been filed about the Ford F-150, Explorer, and Mustang because of bubbling paint and corrosion due to contamination in the aluminum panel. 

Ford F-150, Explorer, and Mustang models struggle with corrosion 

Owners need to stop the rust and corrosion that’s destroying their beloved Ford F-150, Ford Explorer, and Ford Mustang models. But the Ford paint peeling lawsuit fails class action certification despite the owner’s complaints about vehicles equipped with aluminum panels that rust. 

This isn’t exactly a new issue. The original Ford peeling paint issue includes 2013- 2018 Ford Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition models with hoods and other panels with rust and corrosion issues. 

Plaintiffs are trying to prove that the vehicles share a common design defect. However, there are huge differences between each Ford F-150, Mustang, Expedition, and Explorer models and model year.

The Ford paint peeling class-action lawsuit could include about 800,000 owners, but the vast majority of owners haven’t faced corrosion or paint problems. 

What is the paint issue? 

There are tons of reports on CarComplaints relating to corrosion issues with the Ford F-150, Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition. Allegedly, hoods suffer from bubbling paint and corrosion caused by contamination in the aluminum panel.

Some vehicles may have aluminum panels that corrode, causing the paint to blister, flake, peel, and bubble. 

Plaintiffs allege that the issue is due to a defect on the leading edge of the hood of some vehicles. They suggest there’s no drain path for water in that area. This causes water to become repeatedly trapped, leading to corrosion. 

Another report suggests that the Ford vehicles have a defective design because of the hem on the leading edge of the hood. It possibly can’t be kept dry without a full-perimeter over-hem sealer. 

Also, the Ford paint peeling lawsuit suggests that Ford issued four technical bulletins to dealerships in relation to aluminum hoods and panels. This allegedly shows that Ford knew about rust and corrosion problems.

Will Ford fix the F-150, Mustang, Expedition, or Explorers? 

Maybe, but Ford isn’t considered responsible for these Ford F-150, Mustang, Explorer, and Expedition issues. The paint warranty coverage is limited to the perforation of the aluminum panels. 

According to the paint-related lawsuit, Ford isn’t required to pay for damaged paint because aluminum doesn’t perforate. Also, plaintiffs don’t have the standing to bring claims for products they didn’t purchase. 

Plaintiffs are prohibited from asserting claims under a state law other than that which the plaintiff’s own claim arises. They can’t bring a suit on behalf of those outside of California, Florida, New York, Illinois, and Indiana. 

Reportedly the judge denied a class action certification because of different models and model years: 

• Have different hood shapes with varying abilities to capture fluids 
• The amount and placement of adhesive added to the edges of panels vary 
• Cleaning, conditioning, pretreatment, and painting of aluminum panels are different 
• Panels are stored in racks after being manufactured. But before installation oils and lubricants used in the stamping and hemming process collect in the panel cavities 
• The type of aluminum used in the hoods was switched to a low-copper aluminum alloy beginning in late 2013 models

So, Ford isn’t paying for Ford F-150, Mustang, Explorer, or Expedition models with corrosion issues yet. But the plaintiffs aren’t giving up. We will keep you updated on how things go.