Ford Transit Trail settlement

Ford Motor Company has agreed to pay $6,000 per vehicle to settle a class action over the 2023 and 2024 Ford Transit Trail, a factory van package aimed at camper conversions. The lawsuit alleged the package's larger tires do not have enough room in the wheel wells under some driving conditions.

The case is Provo v. Ford Motor Company, No. 1:25-cv-00569-RGA, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware before Senior Judge Richard G. Andrews. The court has preliminarily approved the settlement, and claims are open now. The official settlement website sets a claim deadline of January 15, 2027.

The named plaintiffs are Michele Provo and Susan Cherwa, who bought Transit Trail vans and sued on behalf of other buyers. The court appointed lawyers from Berger Montague PC and Capstone Law APC as class counsel. The defendant is Ford Motor Company. Epiq is the settlement administrator, and Ford pays its costs under the settlement agreement.

According to the settlement agreement's summary of the complaint, the Transit Trail package was sold as a trim that "offers, direct from Ford, many of the features that camping enthusiasts sought in the aftermarket including lifted frames and suspension and larger, 30.5-inch tires," at a suggested price of $12,500. The plaintiffs alleged that the larger tires were the main reason for the package's name and price, but that the vans did not leave enough clearance for those tires when turning, braking or carrying loads near the front axle weight rating.

In March 2024, Ford recalled the vans. NHTSA's record for recall 24V226 says Ford was recalling 1,902 2023 and 2024 Transit vehicles with the Transit Trail package because the tires may contact the front wheel arch liner and body flange, damaging the tires. NHTSA says damaged tires could lose air suddenly or separate, raising crash risk. The remedy is free: dealers replace the tires, tire placard and certification label and recalibrate the vehicle. Ford's number for the recall is 24S21.

The plaintiffs filed suit on May 8, 2025. Ford moved to dismiss. The parties then mediated with Bradley Winters on November 5, 2025, and accepted a mediator's proposal. They signed the settlement agreement on April 29, 2026, and filed settlement papers on June 4, 2026, according to the docket.

The complaint asserted claims for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, violations of Minnesota and Missouri consumer protection laws, unjust enrichment and common law fraud. The plaintiffs alleged they would not have bought or leased the vans, or would have paid less, had they known about the clearance problem. The complaint also discussed other recalls affecting the vans.

Ford denies any wrongdoing and liability and says it has meritorious defenses, according to the settlement agreement. Both sides say they settled to avoid the cost, delay and risk of further litigation.

The court has not decided who is right, and there has been no trial. The settlement website says the court preliminarily approved the settlement, which allows notice and claims to go forward. On October 2, 2026, Judge Andrews approved a first amendment that changes the payment method from a payment card to a check.

The court will decide at a final approval hearing on March 16, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate.

The Long Form Notice defines the class as all persons who, as the original owner or lessee, purchased or leased a Class Vehicle before June 1, 2024, for personal, family or household use, and who have not already received compensation from Ford, including a settlement payment or repurchase, for the vehicle.

Class Vehicles are model year 2023 and 2024 Ford Transit Trails originally sold or leased by an authorized Ford dealer and bought or leased new before June 1, 2024. The original owner can be someone who bought through an outfitter, upfitter or converter that acquired the van new for resale. There is only one original owner or lessee per van.

Excluded are business and commercial buyers, people who bought from a private owner, people who already litigated to judgment or released these claims, Ford employees and their families, and the judges and their staff.

1. Find your VIN and your original purchase or lease agreement. If you cannot find it, the notice accepts records such as a buyer's order, bill of sale, title, first registration, DMV record, financing record or dealer invoice.
2. Complete an IRS Form W-9.
3. File online at the settlement website, or mail a claim form to Ford Transit Trail Settlement, P.O. Box 5470, Portland, OR 97228-5470, postmarked by January 15, 2027.
4. Keep copies of everything you send.
5. If you have not had the recall repair, contact a Ford dealer. The settlement does not affect that free remedy.

Each valid claim receives $6,000 per Class Vehicle. The agreement says Ford will pay every valid, timely claim with no cap on the total, but it does not create a fund or guarantee a minimum. Joint owners share one claim, and only one claim is paid per VIN.

Ford pays class counsel's fees and expenses, up to $625,000 if the court approves, and service awards of up to $3,500 for each named plaintiff, separately from class payments. Ford may issue a Form 1099 for the payment. Payments go out only after final approval and any appeals.

• January 13, 2027: deadline to opt out, by mail with your physical signature, postmarked by this date.
• January 13, 2027: deadline for written objections to be filed with the court and received by counsel and the administrator.
• January 15, 2027: claim deadline, online or postmarked.
• March 16, 2027, 10:00 a.m. ET: final approval hearing in Wilmington, Delaware.

If you stay in the class, you give up the right to sue Ford over economic losses tied to the Transit Trail package and the recall. Personal injury, wrongful death and claims for damage to other property are not released. Your rights under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty are unchanged.

• Original Owner or Lessee: the first person or people who bought or leased a new Class Vehicle for personal, family or household use.
• Upfitter: a company that converts a van, for example into a camper, before selling it.
• Proof of Membership: the VIN, purchase records and sworn statements the administrator uses to confirm you qualify.
• Opt out: removing yourself from the class. You keep the right to sue but get no payment.

The administrator reviews claims and may ask for more documents. A rejected claim filed on time can be fixed within 30 days, and a final denial can be appealed to the court within 45 days. After the March 16, 2027, hearing, the court will decide whether to grant final approval. Check the settlement website for date changes.

This page is based on the official settlement website and FAQ, the Long Form Notice, the settlement agreement, the court's October 2, 2026, order and the CourtListener docket, with recall details from NHTSA. Descriptions of the alleged defect are allegations that Ford denies. We did not review the preliminary approval order directly.

Class Action Pulse is not a law firm or settlement administrator and does not guarantee eligibility or payment. This article is general information, not legal advice.