Ford has a reputation for being a maker of solid, dependable automobiles at affordable prices. But their vehicles, particularly their line of trucks, have suffered from many serious defects throughout the years. One of these problems is the infamous “Ford Shake,” which refers to a consistent shaking of the vehicle on highways, especially when the car exceeds 65 mph. This is a scary effect for anyone that’s inside the truck, as it can seem like the car is about to fall apart. That’s the last thing you want when you are traveling at high speeds, but unfortunately, far too many F-350 owners are struggling with this exact problem.
Thankfully, consumers with warranty-covered vehicles are protected under the California lemon law. If your car has a significant mechanical defect or design flaw that affects its safety or value, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer. However, car manufacturers often fail to take consumer complaints seriously, even to the point of outright violating the state’s lemon law. Guardian Lemon Law is on your side if your truck is afflicted with the Ford Shake. Contact us today to discuss your case with a California lemon law attorney.
Does Your Car have a Case of the “Ford Shakes?”
The Ford Shake is an on-going problem that’s been reported by Ford truck owners. Essentially, the vehicle starts to shake persistently (or there is a steady vibration) at the point of accelerating or traveling at high speeds. The shaking may affect the seat, steering wheel, and the actual body of the truck, particularly once the vehicle is at 65 to 85 miles per hour.
Ford has not been able to trace the exact cause of this defect, but several factors may be involved:
- Tires wearing unevenly – uneven tire wear is a leading cause of cars shaking at high speeds.
- Improperly balanced wheels – wheel imbalance also causes unevenness between the tires, which causes it to shake.
- Problems with the suspension components – worn ball joints, shock absorbers, and other parts of the suspension may lead to vibrating and shaking of the vehicle.
- Engine / transmission issues – problems with these areas are commonly associated with shaking and vibrating, particularly at highway speeds.
Since there are various causes behind the “Ford Shake,” please contact an authorized Ford repair center right away to schedule an inspection. That way, a certified mechanic can inspect your car and diagnose the specific reason for why your car is shaking.
What can I Do if my Truck Shakes and They Can’t Fix the Problem?
If your Ford F-350 is unsafe or inoperable due to a serious defect, there are a number of questions you may be asking yourself:
Can I lemon my F-350 and get my money back? Can I replace my truck with a new truck that doesn’t have a shaking problem at high speeds?
The Song-Beverly Warranty Act protects consumers in California from being stuck with a vehicle that has significant warranty-covered defects. More commonly known as the California lemon law, this act allows you to return the car within the warranty period and receive a refund of the purchase price or a replacement vehicle of comparable value.
However, there are conditions that must be met by the consumer – primarily, the need to take your car in for repairs multiple times. This allows the manufacturer enough chances to fix the issue before you can ask for your money back or a new truck. In addition, you may be reimbursed for incidental costs that you’ve incurred due to the constant shaking / vibrating issues with your car.
We can provide you with a full explanation of your compensation rights under California law, so please take a moment to contact us for a free case evaluation.
Average Value of a Lemon Law Case
Each lemon law case results in a different settlement value, due to various reasons that are specific to the claimant and their losses from having to deal with a defective vehicle. The specific remedy you choose (refund versus replacement vehicle), the mileage offset, and your out of pocket expenses are just a few of the elements that are used to calculate what your lawsuit is worth. That’s why some cases are worth around $5,000 to $10,000, while others result in payments of $100,000 or more. Our lawyers are happy to meet with you and help you determine what you can receive from a lemon claim, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
How Long Does it Take to Settle the Case?
Lemon cases can drag on due to the manufacturer’s reluctance to lose money, and frankly, many claimants find that they are unable to achieve results until they hire an attorney. At our law firm, the majority of lemon lawsuits are resolved within 30 days to 6 months. However, there are claims that involve complex investigations on both sides, which means it may take up to a year or longer to obtain the payment you deserve.
Who Covers Attorney’s Fees for a California Lemon Claim?
Fortunately, California law requires the manufacturer to cover the consumer’s legal fees in the event they hire an attorney. This is beneficial in several ways:
- You can hire a lawyer right away at no upfront cost.
- Your lawyer knows they will receive payment from the manufacturer, so you won’t be surprised by any bills during your case.
- Your lawyer’s fees are paid separately from your settlement award, so you will get the full value of your payment without any deductions.
As you can see, there is no reason to wait on speaking with a lemon law lawyer if your Ford truck is having the “shakes.” Call us today and schedule a free case review as soon as possible.
Statute of Limitations to File a Lemon Law Claim
As a general rule, you have 4 years to file a lemon claim from the time you first notice the defect that classified your car as a lemon. But it’s important to speak with a lawyer and figure out exactly what that means for your own situation. For some people, it’s fair to say that they were aware of a significant defect from the very first repair attempt. However, other owners may not have fully realized that their car is a lemon until repeated repair attempts failed to fix the issue. A Ford lemon law attorney at our office can advise you of the deadline to sue the manufacturer and ensure that your claim is filed on time.
Free Second Opinion
The attorney’s fees provision under the state’s lemon law is very helpful when you are trying to find a law firm to handle your claim. The downside is, many firms determine their success by case volume and will take on as many clients as possible. As a result, many consumers are ignored by their lawyers and feel upset by how long it’s taking to make progress towards a settlement. A second opinion with the lemon experts of Guardian can be helpful if you are facing this dilemma.
If you decide that working with us is in your best interest, we will request your case file from your current lawyer and take care of the transfer process from start to finish. However, that decision is completely up to you, and you will not be charged for the consultation regardless of your decision. For a free second opinion consultation, contact the offices of Guardian Lemon Law Group.
Contact us to Learn about Your Legal Options
There is no need to suffer with a defective vehicle if you are eligible for a lemon law claim under California law. We can help you understand your rights and the legal process during a free case review with one of our attorneys. As we mentioned before, all legal fees are paid to us by the manufacturer upon winning your case. But we protect you even further with the Zero Fee Guarantee, so there are no costs to you if we fail to recover your settlement.
Our lemon law experts can help you if your Ford F-350 keeps shaking or vibrating at higher speeds, so please contact us at your earliest convenience. We can also assist you if you are having a similar issue with the following Ford models:
- F-150
- F-250
- Ford Maverick
- Ford Ranger
- Ford Transit
- Ford Ecosport
- Ford Escape
- Ford Bronco
- Ford Bronco Sport
- Ford Edge
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Expedition
- Lincoln Navigator
- Lincoln Aviator
- Lincoln Nautilus
- Lincoln Corsair
