Ford Motor Company is facing a class action lawsuit challenging the adequacy of its recent 12-volt battery recall, which affects approximately 273,000 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The lawsuit, filed by Illinois resident Erika Ortega, argues that Ford’s recall solution is insufficient and fails to address the underlying problems with Camel-manufactured batteries.
The case centers on Ford’s January 2025 recall of 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 12-volt batteries manufactured by Camel Battery Group. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation found that these batteries could suffer from internal weld and cast-on strap failures, potentially causing vehicles to stall when coming to a slow stop and preventing restart.
The Recall and Its Alleged Shortcomings
Ford’s solution involves replacing the defective Camel batteries with new batteries and offering reimbursement to owners who paid out-of-pocket for related repairs. However, Ortega’s lawsuit characterizes this remedy as “wholly inadequate” and argues that it fails to address the root cause of the battery defects.
The plaintiff contends that without a more comprehensive solution, the replacement battery systems are likely to fail again, making the recall “no more than an ineffective waste of time.” The class action seeks to represent all U.S. consumers who purchased affected vehicles equipped with the problematic Camel batteries.
Impact on Vehicle Value and Owner Burden
The lawsuit highlights concerns beyond just safety, asserting that the recall has devalued affected vehicles and created significant inconvenience for owners. Ortega argues that the recall process requires owners to spend valuable time and money transporting their vehicles to Ford dealerships.
The plaintiff also expresses frustration that the recall “leaves more questions than answers” regarding the long-term safety and reliability of the affected vehicles. This uncertainty creates ongoing concerns about the vehicles’ dependability and market value.
The case is being handled by experienced automotive litigation firms, with Ortega represented by Laukaitis Law LLC alongside Siri & Glimstad LLP, a prominent firm known for handling complex class action cases. Ford has maintained that it knows of no crashes or injuries caused by the defective batteries and began mailing recall notices in February 2025.
The case, filed as Erika Ortega v. Ford Motor Company and Camel Group (USA) Battery, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, represents a significant challenge to Ford’s handling of the battery defect issue. Vehicle owners affected by the recall should monitor the case’s development and consider whether the current recall solution adequately addresses their concerns.