Class Action Suit Over Ford TFIs

CHICAGO--The first nationwide class action lawsuit against Ford over alleged problems with its thick film ignition modules has been filed here “on behalf of all persons that suffered economic damages, personal injuries and death as a result of a design defect making Ford cars and trucks likely to stall.”

According to the complaint, Ford improperly placed the TFIs near the hottest part of the engine block, causing its cars to stall.

“Ford knew that the vehicles were prone to stall, but failed to alert its consumers of the dangerous condition,” said lawyer Kenneth B. Moll. “Ford’s ignition modules were flawed from the outset. Ford misled regulators, concealed documents and information of the dangerous condition of their vehicles from NHTSA and the public.”

A California judge has issued orders setting a future recall program into action.

The TFI modules, which are intended to regulate the flow of electric current to the spark plugs, “have demonstrated that they are unreasonably dangerous due to an increased risk of stalling the engine” in some 23 million Ford vehicles, 29 makes and 300 different Ford models sold between 1983 and 1995, according to Moll.

Moll quoted from what he said were Ford’s own documents:

“Under the stress conditions of 140 degrees C and 18 volts TFI-IV (GE3Y level) modules were observed to operate normally for a few minutes, then begin to miss sparks. The modules would then enter the stall mode and go into residual current. This leads to a thermal runaway which within several seconds to a few minutes results in module failure (i.e., destruction of the darlington output).”

Also, “Five out of ten TFI-PS modules failed P.V. [product validation] testing...exposure to excessive temp. caused the output device to operate at temp. in excess of their max. rating causing device failure.”

Moll added: “The primary goals of the Ford class action are to ensure a fully inclusive and fully reimbursable recall of all automobiles that were equipped with distributor-mounted TFI modules and compensate all persons who suffered economic, personal injury or death as the result of vehicles equipped with distributor-mounted TFI modules.”

These Ford models were equipped with the distributor-mounted TFI modules: Aerostar (1986-1990),Bronco (1984-1991), Bronco II (1984-1990), Capri (1983-1986), Continental (1984-1987), Cougar (1984-1988), Crown Victoria (1984-1991), E-Series (1984-1991), Escort (1983-1991), EXP (1983-1988), F-Series (1984-1991), F-Stripped Chassis (1989), Grand Marquis (1984-1991), LN7 (1983), LTD (1984-1986), Lynx (1983-1987), Mark (1984-1992), Marquis (1984-1986), Merkur (1985-1989), Mustang (1983-1993), Probe (1990-1992), Ranger (1983-1992), Sable (1986-1989), Scorpio (1988-1999), Taurus (1986-1995), Tempo (1984-1994), Thunderbird (1983-1988), Topaz (1984-1994), Town Car (1984-1990).