If you own a 2022 Ford Maverick truck, this news is for you. A recent class action lawsuit has been filed against Ford Motor Company alleging that model year 2022 Ford Mavericks and other Ford vehicles contain defective Safety Canopy side curtain airbags.
The lawsuit alleges that vehicles equipped with the defective side curtain airbags may not deploy properly, which could lead to serious injury or even death.
If you own a MY2022 Ford Maverick, it is important to stay informed about the latest developments in this case. So let’s break down what this lawsuit means for vehicles owners, and what you need to do to stay safe.
Lawsuit Claims Defective Side Curtain Airbags Increase Likelihood of Ejection From Vehicle
Side curtain airbags are a crucial element when it comes to safety of a vehicle. Research has consistently proven their importance, playing a vital role in minimizing the severity of injuries during severe side impacts – most especially in side collisions.
By deploying rapidly during accidents, the side curtain airbags protect passengers on either side of the front.
This essential function can be a difference maker when it comes to ensuring occupant safety and helping reduce fatalities.
Unfortunately for 2022 Ford Maverick owners, the lawsuit alleges the side curtain airbags installed in the Class Vehicles allow for displacement of as much as approximately 112 millimeters.
So, why does this matter? Well, because it exceeds the 100 millimeters federal requirement set by the NHTSA. Additionally, it also exceeds Ford’s own Acceptance Criteria of 93.1 millimeters.
As a result, the side curtain airbags do not deploy correctly, putting vehicle occupants at risk.
Didn’t Ford Issue a Recall?
Yes, on August 8, 2022 Ford issued a recall alert to address the defect in the side curtain airbags of certain Ford models. This was good news for Ford Maverick owners.
However, per class action lawsuit documents, Ford was unable to provide a definitive date when replacement side curtain airbags would be available. Most likely due to the ongoing supply-chain disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Instead, vehicle owners were told to “wear their seatbelt” and “drive with a little extra caution” until replacement side curtain airbags became available. As one can imagine, this isn’t very confidence inspiring.
Ford has said that it will eventually replace the side curtain airbags, sometime around January 2023. But no guarantee has been given.
While the delay in parts is frustrating, perhaps more concerning is the fact that Ford has not been able to identify the “root cause” of the Airbag Defect.
In fact, it is unclear whether the Ford Maverick side curtain airbag recall would even fix the issue.
Additionally, because Ford has not provided customers with rental cars, vehicle owners are forced to drive a dangerous vehicle – which they can be more easily ejected and injured from.
Or the other option – cease driving their 2022 Ford Maverick entirely, paying out of pocket for other means of transportation.
What Risk Does The Defective Side Curtain Airbag Pose For Vehicle Owners?
Vehicle owners should be particularly aware of the imminent safety hazard posed by this defective side curtain airbag.
This safety device is designed to deploy during a side impact crash, or during a rollover if detected by the rollover sensor.
When the safety canopy inflates between the side window area, it protects the driver and vehicle occupant from serious injuries – even ejection during a rollover or sideways crashes.
However, the lawsuit alleges that the side curtain airbags fitted in the 2022 Ford Maverick fails to cover any gaps forming between the countermeasure (e.g., the ejection mitigation side curtain air bag) and the window opening.
The result – increased risk for potential ejection of vehicle driver or occupant during a crash.
Ford Maverick Models Affected
This particular class action is restricted to MY2022 Ford Maverick trucks. If you own one of these models, it is important to be aware of this lawsuit since your vehicle may be affected by the defect being alleged by the plaintiff.
You should also research any recall notices or other documentation that might be available concerning your particular model year Ford Maverick truck.
Status of the Ford Maverick Safety Canopy Side Curtain Airbag Class Action Litigation
This is an active class action lawsuit. This suit has been brought on behalf of the Plaintiff, John Solak.
Solak, et al. v. Ford Motor Company, Case No. 2:23-cv-10064, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Solak claims Ford is guilty of breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, and unjust enrichment, and in violation of New York General Business Law.
Repercussions of the Class Action Lawsuit
If successful, this case could result in a wide range of remedies for affected owners. Some possible outcomes include reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to repairs, compensation for personal injury or wrongful death damages, and even punitive damages if warranted.
However, regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Ford does have some explaining to do with regards to why these airbags did not perform as expected during side-impact collisions in certain vehicles.
Questions About This Lawsuit?
MyCarVoice.com is not counsel or the settlement administrator in this class action lawsuit. Our goal is to inform owners of these vehicles of the recent lawsuit. This post will be updated when/if new suit information is released.
Please considering subscribing to this post for critical updates.
Have you owned or leased a vehicle manufactured by Ford containing a side curtain airbag defect? If so, add your voice to this post in the comments below.
Send us your Car Problems for review.
Managing Editor
Christopher is an automotive technical writer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. Specializes in automotive class action law, industry trends, and automotive maintenance. Email me direct, or learn more about us
