Hilliard Law: Federal Judge Certifies Five-State Classes in Ford CP4 Fuel Pump Lawsuit
Ruling lets certain Ford 6.7L diesel truck owners in California, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina pursue their claims together; Court also largely denies Ford's bid to end the case before trial
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Owners of certain Ford diesel trucks in five states can now pursue their claims together after a federal judge certified state classes in a long-running lawsuit over the CP4 high-pressure fuel pump, a case in which Hilliard Law serves as court-appointed class counsel for the plaintiffs. The lawsuit alleges the pump, used in 2011-present MY 6.7L diesel trucks, is prone to sudden failure that can leave trucks disabled and owners facing repair bills of $8,000 to $20,000.
On Sept. 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson of the Eastern District of Michigan certified classes of certain truck purchasers in California, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The classes will pursue claims under state consumer protection laws and for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability.
In a separate order, the court largely denied Ford's motion for summary judgment, moving the case a major step closer to trial.
What the lawsuit alleges
According to the plaintiffs' mechanical engineering expert, the CP4 pump is too fragile for the American diesel truck market, particularly when used with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), the standard fuel at U.S. gas stations. ULSD has lower lubricity, and plaintiffs allege that this and other common fuel conditions can cause the pump to fail.
Plaintiffs allege that when the pump fails, it can send metal shards through the fuel injection system and engine. The truck can shut down, sometimes while in motion, and cannot be restarted, creating a serious safety risk for drivers and passengers. Plaintiffs further allege that Ford often refuses to cover the repair under warranty, citing "fuel contamination."
Why the ruling matters
Ford argued that each owner's pump failure would have to be examined individually, which would make a class action unworkable. The court disagreed, finding that "the common question of whether the CP4 pump is defective qualitatively predominates over [] individual causation questions." The court explained that the various alleged failure triggers are all part of the same alleged defect: a pump that is not robust enough to handle foreseeable fuel conditions.
The court has not yet ruled on whether the CP4 pump is defective. That question will be decided as the case proceeds.
"This ruling is a major step forward for Ford truck owners who paid thousands of dollars out of pocket when their CP4 fuel pumps failed," said Bob Hilliard, Owner and Founder of Hilliard Law, a nationally renowned trial law firm, based in Corpus Christi, TX. "The Court's ruling allows certain owners in five states to pursue their claims together and brings them a significant step closer to holding Ford accountable. These customers paid a premium for diesel trucks they expected to be dependable. We intend to fight for every dollar they are owed."
The case is Droesser, et al. v. Ford Motor Co., No. 19-cv-12365-LJM-APP (E.D. Mich.).
About Hilliard Law
Hilliard Law is a nationally renowned law firm based in Corpus Christi, Texas. With a history of success in personal injury and mass tort litigation, Hilliard Law is committed to providing aggressive representation and seeking justice for its clients. Bob Hilliard, Founding Partner, has led Hilliard Law to the forefront of national trial law firms. Having tried over 150 jury trials, Mr. Hilliard is also a two-time winner of the National Law Journal's prestigious Elite Trial Lawyer of the Year award for product liability and motor vehicles and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for the past 23 years. Mr. Hilliard is double board-certified and recognized as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the United States. For more information, visit www.hilliard-law.com.
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SOURCE Hilliard Law
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