Owners say that by installing smaller tires, Ford has lowered the van’s ride height and reduced its capability compared to the original
10 hours ago
- Ford’s recall swapped 30.5-inch tires for smaller ones, reducing ground clearance and performance.
- Class action lawsuit challenges Ford’s fix, claiming it reduces the Transit Trail’s off-road capabilities.
- Some owners claim to have spent thousands modifying vans to retain the original size tires.
The Ford Transit Trail was introduced as a slightly more rugged, off-road-capable version of the popular van. However, a recall issued by the automaker last year has rubbed, no pun intended, some owners the wrong way and led to the filing of a class action lawsuit. According to them, Ford’s repair means the Transit Trail is not as suited to off-road trails as originally advertised.
Read: Ford Transit Trail Recalled Over Wheel Well Rubbing Tires
Last March, Ford revealed that the 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tires the model came with as standard can rub on the inner arch liners while turning. To resolve the issue, the automaker said it’d simply remove these tires and fit smaller 28.5-inch rubber. However, the class action filed in Delaware says this defeats the purpose of the Transit Trail and also reduces the van’s ground clearance.
Lawsuit Alleges Ford Failed to Deliver
According to the lawsuit, Ford launched the model in a bid to capture an emerging market segment where many Transit owners were turning to the aftermarket to make their vans more off-road capable. Not only does the class action take issue with Ford failing to verify if the model could support 30.5-inch tires, but it says installing smaller tires left owners with a vehicle “closer to the less expensive Ford Transit base model than the Transit Trail.”
“Although Ford promised off-road capable vehicles suitable for camping and other adventurous purposes, Ford’s recall removes the primary benefit of the Transit ‘Trail’ models— the superior, 30.5-inch tires and superior ground clearance,” the filing adds.
Owners Take Matters into Their Own Hands
Several Transit Trail owners are named in the lawsuit, including Michele Provo, who bought her vehicle in February 2024 for off-roading and camping. However, after learning about the tire-scraping issue, she reportedly spent nearly $2,000 to install new springs and skid plates to ensure the van could still handle the 30.5-inch tires.
More: Ford’s 51st Recall Of 2025 Happened Before The Trucks Even Landed In Customer Hands
Another plaintiff, Susan Cherwa, claims she had to hire upfitter Vandoit to remove the wheel well liner, upgrade the suspension, and modify the pinch welds in her Transit Trail to avoid the same issue.
The class action is demanding a jury trial and seeks to represent all owners and lessees in the United States who have a 2023-2024 Ford Transit Trail.
H/T to Motor1
#Ford #Recall #Rubs #Owners #Wrong #Theyre #Suing
