Class Calls MyFord Touch|Too Broke to Fix

CHICAGO (CN) - MyFord Touch software freezes, endangering drivers, leaving them unable to defrost windows or dial 911, and Ford's "updates" have made the system worse, a Ford owner claims in a federal class action.

Sandra Storto, who owns a Ford Fusion, sued Ford Motor Co., alleging fraud, unjust enrichment, deceptive trade and Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act violations.

Storto bought a 2013 Ford Fusion in March 2013, with a MyFord Touch system, powered by a Microsoft operating system.

Installed in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models since 2011, the system costs $1,795, and incorporates GPS navigation system, Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth communication, controls the heat and air, and may be used to contact emergency services.

"Although Ford has advertised the MyFord Touch system as a next generation and revolutionary feature in its class vehicles and charges a significant premium for a vehicle equipped with the system, the MyFord Touch System does not perform as intended, advertised or promised by Ford," Storto says in the lawsuit. "Many owners of class vehicles complain that the MyFord Touch system freezes up, stops working, the screen goes dark, the system does not respond to touch commands, fails to properly connect to the user's mobile phone often dropping calls, the navigation system fails to properly calculate routes, and despite contrary advertising interfaces very poorly with Apple Computer products, among other problems. These problems are well documented internally at Ford, on the internet and in various articles. Although Ford has attempted to correct the issues with the MyFord Touch system in class vehicles with software updates, these updates have not resolved the issues that plaintiff and the other class members have experienced with their systems. Indeed, in some cases, the updates have made performance of the MyFord Touch system worse."

As a result of these freezes and blackouts, Storto claims, the system "actually poses a safety risk because the driver becomes focused on the malfunctions or is unable to utilize various features that operate through the system, such as the 9-1-1 dial feature, the defrost function, and failure of the rear-view camera, to name a few, when the system is down or frozen."

Ford's software updates haven't helped, Storto says. After one update, "Storto's Ford Fusion experienced almost immediate and more acute climate control and navigation system issues," she says.

"Despite Ford's efforts to repair and resolve Storto's problems with her MyFord Touch System, by and through its authorized agent, Buss Ford, Ford has not been able to fix the problems and Storto believes that Ford may be unable to fix the system because it is inherently flawed."

The defects also hurt the cars' resale value, the complaint states.

"Had plaintiff and the other class members known of the defects in the MyFord Touch system at the time of purchase or lease, they would not have purchased or leased class vehicles, they would have paid substantially less for the vehicles, or they would have purchased or leased Ford manufactured vehicles not equipped with the MyFord Touch system, if available, at a reduced price," Storto says.

A complaint filed in Los Angeles Federal Court last year calls the MyFord Touch system an "unmitigated disaster."

Storto is represented by Vincent DiTommaso with DiTommaso Lubin, of Oakbrook Terrace.

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