Shelby GT350 Mustang Owners Sue Ford Over Track-Day Overheating
Shelby GT350 Mustang owners have filed a class-action lawsuit in America over accusations that the cars don’t live up to their ‘track-ready’ marketing.
Owners of the special high-performance model have joined together to complain about what they say is rapid overheating of the transmissions and rear differentials when the cars are used on track.
The cars are said to suddenly revert to a ‘limp mode’ with massive loss of power and speed. On a track, that sort of thing could cause accidents. Some owners are even saying it happens in as little as 15 minutes. Clearly, going limp so quickly is going to please no one.
The legal challenge centres on Ford’s use of the phrase ‘track-ready’ in its marketing, arguing that if the GT350 overheats on track, it’s not really track-ready at all. Apparently it affects base models and those with the Technology Pack.
Lawyers are now saying that the cars are useless on track, and are extending their hands to Ford for compensation on behalf of the owners affected. The suit wants ‘monetary damages’ both for legal owners and those who only leased the car.
Law firm Hagens Berman has taken the case. Managing Partner, Steve Berman, presumably while gleefully rubbing his hands together at what could be a huge payday for the firm, said:
“When Ford marketed and sold these Shelby GT350 Mustangs, it knew exactly how to appeal to track-enthusiasts: it marketed enhanced performance in a limited-edition iconic vehicle that has been associated with racing for generations.”
“We believe that Ford induced purchasers with its ‘track-ready’ marketing, when in fact it knew that this defect would ultimately bar these Mustangs from ever being the hotrod consumers paid for.”
The complaint itself also adds that Ford’s refusal, so far, to offer a fix at no cost to the owner or keeper, is against the terms of the cars’ warranties. If lawyers can pull it off anywhere, it’s the US. Let’s see where this goes.
Via: Business Wire
Comments
“Clearly, going limp so quickly is going to please no one.”
Clearly, Matt is winning comment of the week. Well played, sir.
“As early as 15 minutes” So you’re going all out in a GT350 without the Track Package (That has the extra coolers) for 15 minutes. Well sh*t on my pants and call me sally, no wonder you’re overheating
Idk why there are two models anyway. Just give all of them the track package. Problem solved.
This was known mora than a year ago. When police in austraila failed to finish pursuit test with mustangs. Bring something new!
The crowds find redemption
Should have bought the R
I thought you could not lease mustangs or GT350s
At every track day I go to, this occurs with GTR’s. They are fine for 4 laps, and then limp mode (last track day this happened to both a NISMO and a standard gtr at Sebring). Same happened with the z/06 (one guy I knew went through two z/06’s which suffered from this. Fixed the issue by adding more cooling). And our z/28 came with a kinda faulty engine, which then had a bit of cooling issues. But then oil coolers replaced the fog lights.