News - Federal Judge Advances Class Action Against Ford Over CP4 Fuel Pump Defects

A significant step forward has been made for owners of Ford 6.7L diesel trucks across five states, as a U.S. District Judge certifies class actions in a longstanding lawsuit concerning the allegedly defective CP4 high-pressure fuel pumps. The lawsuit claims that these pumps, present in models from 2011 onwards, are prone to abrupt failure when used with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), leading to potential safety hazards and substantial repair costs, ranging up to $20,000. The failure of the pump reportedly results in metal debris infiltrating the engine, disabling the truck by shutting it down mid-operation, thus posing a considerable risk to drivers and passengers alike. In a noteworthy judgment issued on September 30, 2026, Judge Laurie J. Michelson of the Eastern District of Michigan granted certification for classes in California, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, allowing plaintiffs to combine their state-based consumer protection and warranty claims against Ford. The Court further negated Ford's motion for summary judgment, effectuating the litigation to move closer to trial. Ford contended that individual assessments of the pump failures were necessary due to varying causes, which would hinder the feasibility of class action. However, the court overruled this notion, emphasizing the predominance of the common defect allegation, which pertains to the pump's unsuitability for typical U.S. diesel fuel conditions, over individual failure causes. The lawsuit is backed by Hilliard Law, a Corpus Christi based firm with a robust reputation for high-stakes litigation. Bob Hilliard, the firm's founder, commended the Court’s decision, highlighting that it enables affected Ford truck owners to collectively seek justice and restitution for the undue financial burdens experienced as a result of pump failures. As the case proceeds under the designation Droesser, et al. v. Ford Motor Co., the decisive question of the CP4 pump's defectiveness remains on the docket for further judicial determination. Hilliard Law, renowned for its national litigation presence, remains at the forefront, advocating diligently for the rights of Ford's customers who expected reliability in their vehicles but encountered unforeseen mechanical failures.